djsparkles
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since June 2010
Posts: 79
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Post by djsparkles on Jul 24, 2020 19:09:29 GMT -5
Like the subject says. They're rolling unevenly, like they've become "oval" or "stretched"
I'm looking into a Lortone ASAP but it's gonna be a few weeks yet. Also, the motor on my CE dual is making the most godawful noises. I have done all the maintenance required, but it's still howling like a banshee to the point I've had to turn it off to be able to think. It runs in a corner of my "office" and has, up till now, been pretty quiet.
Like I said, going to replace ASAP, but anyone got any suggestions for the meantime?
Thanks in advance!
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Post by manofglass on Jul 24, 2020 21:45:45 GMT -5
If the tumbler runs put a PVC can on it
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Wooferhound on Jul 25, 2020 7:35:03 GMT -5
Are the barrels rolling OK ? As long as they aren't trying to climb out of the tumbler, you should be fine.
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djsparkles
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since June 2010
Posts: 79
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Post by djsparkles on Jul 25, 2020 8:00:46 GMT -5
Wooferhound, so far no. I'm just concerned about rubbing away the outside of the barrel since the one is coming into contact with the frame on a regular basis. it's already worn the nut smooth on the end
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stewdogg
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 388
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Post by stewdogg on Jul 25, 2020 11:16:42 GMT -5
Do you have any pics of the barrels?
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purpleunicorn
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2020
Posts: 5
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Post by purpleunicorn on Jul 29, 2020 22:52:20 GMT -5
Help please..I bought a Chicago Electric dual 3 lb. Barrels. I got it set up the day it got here. It's been running almost a week and tonight the barrels are trying to "climb out" of the tumbler. (for a lack of a better word). They seem to be bumping each other,which makes them climb, and then it binds up and stops. I have stage 3 in one and stage 4 in the other barrel. Will it hurt them to sit idle overnight? It's in my garage so I will have keep it turned off if I can't fix it tonight.
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stewdogg
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 388
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Post by stewdogg on Jul 29, 2020 23:09:58 GMT -5
Make sure its on a level surface. Mine walked around if it was on any kind on uneven surface. Make sure the coating on the roller is intact and in good shape as well.
The rocks in the barrels will be fine if not tumbling. I just give them a good shake when finally putting them back on the roller to mix things up again.
Good luck with your tumbler, I recently gave up on my Harbor Freight double barrel tumbler, too many issues.
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purpleunicorn
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2020
Posts: 5
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Post by purpleunicorn on Jul 29, 2020 23:17:44 GMT -5
Its definitely on a level surface. The machine itself doesn't move at all, just the barrels.. Thank you for your reply..its much appreciated.. The machine was purchased brand new a week ago so I'm sure the rollers are good..
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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 Jul 31, 2020 8:14:21 GMT -5
The only Claim to fame with those tumblers is That there Cheap. I have found that if you Tune them Up there better. Most are all slapped together @ the factory and put In a box. Tune up means Line the fan pulley up with motor , shafts are position sloppy, dump the push nuts and use E clips. Just a General tightening and you will find it will Run better
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Jul 31, 2020 10:26:07 GMT -5
The only Claim to fame with those tumblers is That there Cheap. I have found that if you Tune them Up there better. Most are all slapped together @ the factory and put In a box. Tune up means Line the fan pulley up with motor , shafts are position sloppy, dump the push nuts and use E clips. Just a General tightening and you will find it will Run better Your HF rotary tumblers must be older.......all of mine have come with "E clips" at the end of each rolling rod......?
Another tip..........cut-off the clear rubber (silicon) hose that each rod is covered with and replace with a like size rubber automotive fuel line. The barrels will ride a bit higher up off the rod, but won't slide as much side to side. Also, the plastic flanged sleeve bushings (bunting bearing) at the end of each rod will wear out, causing rod wobble. I replaced mine with like size/type copper (powdered metal) bushings I got from NAPA Auto parts.......I use Blaster chain and cable lube to keep them from squeaking and wearing down.........!
Lastly, the tumbler won't last to long under continuous use regardless of mod's, the weak link is really the motors and motor bearings........stripping the cover off the motor housing will keep them cooler, but heat is the culprit. The built in fan takes some heat away from the unit, but it would be better served if air was circulated over the motor...........reversing the fan blade is a problem due to the way it is made as one piece as part of the motor pulley assembly, which will not align with the shaft belt once reversed.......!
Just things to consider to keep them running as long as possible..........I've tossed all of mine.......I don't rotary tumble any longer.
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Post by greig on Jul 31, 2020 17:59:16 GMT -5
Have you seen the barrels try to climb out? Sometimes, you can get an idea what is going on if it happens in front of you. Maybe the lid isn't on straight or the guide is offset? Are your rocks small? I am thinking that a few long narrow rocks or one big rock might get jammed and unbalance things. I am only guessing because I have never had this issue
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reeniebeany
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rotary Only
Member since January 2020
Posts: 125
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Post by reeniebeany on Aug 1, 2020 17:00:53 GMT -5
Like the subject says. They're rolling unevenly, like they've become "oval" or "stretched" I'm looking into a Lortone ASAP but it's gonna be a few weeks yet. Also, the motor on my CE dual is making the most godawful noises. I have done all the maintenance required, but it's still howling like a banshee to the point I've had to turn it off to be able to think. It runs in a corner of my "office" and has, up till now, been pretty quiet. Like I said, going to replace ASAP, but anyone got any suggestions for the meantime? Thanks in advance! Is it the motor making the noise, or the rollers? Mine was whining and my DH took off the end caps over the rollers and gave me a tube of "multi-vehicle high temperature red grease" (Valvoline) to apply. Quieted right down. I keep mine in a cardboard box. That may help with noise, I mostly started because I was paranoid it would leak and make a mess. Reeniebeany
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lparsons
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2020
Posts: 276
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Post by lparsons on Aug 3, 2020 18:49:13 GMT -5
I had 2 harbor freight double barrel tumblers earlier this year. Neither lasted more than 2 weeks, although I never let them run overnight or when I wasn’t home. So it was was only light use. The barrels kept scraping the frame, then the motor kept getting louder until it was howling. Within a day or two the motor completely stopped working. Fortunately, I was able to return them both. I then upgraded to a Thumler’s tumbler AR-12, which has a thermally protected motor and is a quality tumbler.
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reeniebeany
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rotary Only
Member since January 2020
Posts: 125
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Post by reeniebeany on Aug 6, 2020 13:10:10 GMT -5
Stuff sure does vary!! My double barrel has been on constantly for 6 months with no problems.
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Enigman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2013
Posts: 163
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Post by Enigman on Aug 6, 2020 19:12:14 GMT -5
Like the subject says. They're rolling unevenly, like they've become "oval" or "stretched" I'm looking into a Lortone ASAP but it's gonna be a few weeks yet. Also, the motor on my CE dual is making the most godawful noises. I have done all the maintenance required, but it's still howling like a banshee to the point I've had to turn it off to be able to think. It runs in a corner of my "office" and has, up till now, been pretty quiet. Like I said, going to replace ASAP, but anyone got any suggestions for the meantime? Thanks in advance! I have had a dual barrel CE for several years. The CE machine is a Chinese knock-off of the Lortone 33B that didn't quite hit the mark. Nevertheless, I have made so many modifications to improve it that I have practically turned it into a Lortone 33B. (I have 13 other Lortone and Thumler machines in addition now)
Mods:
1) Replaced the plastic rub tabs at the ends of the galley with L brackets that hold nylon ball bearing shower door rollers to keep the barrels in place with no friction. The rollers are available at hardware stores.
2) Opened the shaft end caps and inserted a lubricated felt "dot" in each to put slight pressure on the shafts and it stops the end-wise chatter.
3) Removed the top motor cover to vent heat.
4) Replaced the rubber feet with chair leg rubber feet. Screw them on through the foot with the open cup end down. It lifts the machine silences transmitted noise and improves air flow.
5) Replaced the CE motor fan/pulley with a Lortone 33B aluminum pulley. It had to be drilled out a bit using a drill press to keep the hole aligned straight. (Took two pulleys to get it right) Use Lortone 33B round belts after that. Get the pulleys at The Rock Shed.
6) Lengthened the vinyl shaft covers and recoated the shafts with acrylic rubber. I have a tutorial for that on this forum here: Shaft Tutorial When the vinyl gets old it shrinks lengthwise and if it does then the barrels start to wobble and try to jump out of the galley.
Always keep the motor bearings lubed. If they dry, start with WD40 then follow with sewing machine grade oil. Keep the shaft bearings oiled too sparingly.
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Enigman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2013
Posts: 163
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Post by Enigman on Aug 6, 2020 19:21:28 GMT -5
I have stage 3 in one and stage 4 in the other barrel. Will it hurt them to sit idle overnight? It's in my garage so I will have keep it turned off if I can't fix it tonight. It has been my experience that if a barrel stops rolling for even a few hours then the inside turns to concrete. If you try to turn it back on the barrel will be way out of balance and probably jump out of the galley. If you MUST stop the machine, take the barrels out and stand them on end so the sludge will form evenly against the bottom wall. Then if you restart them they will be in balance.
The best bet is if you have to stop the machine, rinse out the barrel and reload when you can start the machine again.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Aug 6, 2020 22:44:27 GMT -5
Some poly plastics will warp in high heat or direct sunlight when sitting still. PVC pipe will permanantly warp if laying on a hump in strong sunlight.
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Post by knave on Aug 6, 2020 22:56:52 GMT -5
Some poly plastics will warp in high heat or direct sunlight when sitting still. PVC pipe will permanantly warp if laying on a hump in strong sunlight. Is that how you feel after installing steel roof in the GA sunlight?
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Aug 7, 2020 5:19:47 GMT -5
Some poly plastics will warp in high heat or direct sunlight when sitting still. PVC pipe will permanantly warp if laying on a hump in strong sunlight. Is that how you feel after installing steel roof in the GA sunlight? So I hired a roofing contractor to tear the shingles off the old house with the steep 12/12 pitch and do the metal. Damn if they didn't screw the firing strips down on 32 inch centers. Should be min 24 inch, better 20 inch. I did 16". If you stand on 29 gauge metal supported by 32 inch supports it will bend it every step you make. metal roof 101 grrr. And this crew was referred by the metal roof supply company. grrr I even went out and bought 50 - 2x4's to do the job and stacked them under their feet.
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Post by knave on Aug 7, 2020 6:39:38 GMT -5
You sound like my brother. 🍻 Keep in mind if you try to step on a 12/12 metal roof your feet will be pointed to the sky lol
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