tialee
off to a rocking start
This si the only place I have been able to post. Can someone tell me how to start a thread?
Member since June 2019
Posts: 2
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Post by tialee on Jun 8, 2019 11:36:12 GMT -5
Well, I am a rank novice. I have always collected rocks, but just a few months ago decided to really get into identifying and learning.
So, being old on a fixed budget, I bought this thing at Harbor Freight.
I already returned the first one because I could never get it to turn the drums at all. This second one is turning them, but after a short time, the drums go off kilter and eventually get stuck and stop. I would have to stand next to it for four weeks to get anything done without burning out the motor.
I have tried everything. Putting more in, putting less in drums. Through cleaning of drums outside. Belt tighter or looser. Oil. I have river stones in there with ceramic pellets.
I would so appreciate any advice or options. I know I am doing something wrong, but I can't figure it out. Or this is simply a bad machine.
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jimaz
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2018
Posts: 461
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Post by jimaz on Jun 8, 2019 11:42:28 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum. Lots of good info to be found here. HF tumblers are the luck of the draw and it sounds like you’ve drawn bad twice. You will be much better off getting a Lortone or Thumbler. You might look on Craigslist to save a little money.
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Jun 8, 2019 12:48:04 GMT -5
Check this thread out.....:
forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/55433/newbie-question-harbor-freight-tumbler
There are a few other threads like this that could help.......go to the forum portal page and type in Chicago Electric or Harbor Freight rotary tumbler's........a few mod's need to be made to that tumbler in order for it to stay working properly........the barrels are decent and will work on other like type Lortone models that are made a bit better, but cost a bit more..........just a thought.
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Bucknutty
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2017
Posts: 171
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Post by Bucknutty on Jun 8, 2019 14:35:58 GMT -5
Don't have one of their tumblers, but I've had enough other stuff form HF that I'd bet on the machine being the problem, not you.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jun 8, 2019 18:05:28 GMT -5
Whatever tumbler you finally end up with, you need to disregard the "four weeks" timeline they all try to sell you on. Just not realistic if you want nicely tumbled rocks.
Many here will run just the coarse stage minimally for four weeks time, four months time, or even longer. The rocks don't adhere to anyone's imposed timeline. They are ready to move on to the the next finer grit when they are good and ready.
Personally, I own a Lortone QT12 rotary, an older Scott Murray rotary, and a Gyroc vibe tumbler. This hobby is not for the impatient!
I am also willing to bet the problem is the HF tumbler.
Welcome to the forum.
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tialee
off to a rocking start
This si the only place I have been able to post. Can someone tell me how to start a thread?
Member since June 2019
Posts: 2
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Post by tialee on Jun 8, 2019 18:14:54 GMT -5
Thank you all! I am convinced I need a better machine and I'll just try to make this one work while I save up for that.
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Post by fernwood on Jun 9, 2019 5:16:47 GMT -5
I posted my insights on the HF tumbler under the Lapidary Equipment section here. Mine has been working great, but took a while to get it right.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on Jun 9, 2019 9:01:08 GMT -5
Junk! Lortone is the way to go!! I do have a bit of an idea though.. I know a guy that just got a H/F tumbler (Double) he had to put rubber bands around the barrels to get them to rotate.. Its working so far, might give that a try - good luck!
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salpal48
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2015
Posts: 136
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Post by salpal48 on Jun 13, 2019 12:29:25 GMT -5
Frankly there Junk. But there is away to help. Most if not all are just slapped together. I have one and they will run better if you do a Tune Up so to speak. 1. Align The fan and The belt with the drive Gear. this I believe is the major fault with them. there put together poorly 2. Check the play on the shafts, so there both in the same position. There Push Nuts on Them are bad. You can Change them with E clips. of the correct size This should help You can't overload them . there motors are not good.
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Jun 16, 2019 8:37:29 GMT -5
I use Chicago Electric rotary tumblers from Harbor Freight. Their QC is bad. You have to be comfortable returning the tumblers that don't work out within 90 days. It is no problem to return them to Harbor Freight & get a new one. It's a known issue. I've not had any hassles. Plus my husband is handy & he does the fiddling stuff with the belts salpal48 describes... it really works! I have 2 of them rolling right now and another one lined up when I have enough rock shaped on the wheel. (Slow stone shaper here) Once you get a tumbler or two that works all right, they can last pretty long time. I keep them running all night and day all year. The little caps have been wonky on the two tumblers I bought in 2015, we just replaced them with stainless steel wingnuts from Home Depot, but they're working out well for me so I'm afraid to change up to another brand. Plus... I shape stone so slowly that I have trouble keeping the tumblers filled that I already have, even though I literally have a ton of material... If the drums get off kilter and stop turning, I find when that happens it's because I overloaded with too many stones? But I haven't had the issue for awhile because again... my issue is getting time to do enough shaping. I like to put in time on my cabbing wheels to cut off some of the time spent in the 60/90 stage, which might otherwise run 3-4 months for my stones since I'm not starting from river stones. Well, I am a rank novice. I have always collected rocks, but just a few months ago decided to really get into identifying and learning. So, being old on a fixed budget, I bought this thing at Harbor Freight. I already returned the first one because I could never get it to turn the drums at all. This second one is turning them, but after a short time, the drums go off kilter and eventually get stuck and stop. I would have to stand next to it for four weeks to get anything done without burning out the motor. I have tried everything. Putting more in, putting less in drums. Through cleaning of drums outside. Belt tighter or looser. Oil. I have river stones in there with ceramic pellets. I would so appreciate any advice or options. I know I am doing something wrong, but I can't figure it out. Or this is simply a bad machine.
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Jun 16, 2019 8:54:30 GMT -5
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Post by fernwood on Jun 16, 2019 10:50:43 GMT -5
Also, the Lortone nuts from the Rockshed are perfect replacements.
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