AQuartzLow
starting to shine!
Member since November 2020
Posts: 44
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Post by AQuartzLow on Apr 27, 2021 13:34:37 GMT -5
Hello! I have a twin Lot-O tumbler and, other than having to adjust the dowel in the back when it was new (thanks to the info here!), I’ve not had any problems with it. ...until today. I’m running both barrels with 120/220 grit (1st stage for the Lot-o) and have been checking on it every few hours since I started it yesterday (about 24 hrs ago.) I noticed the sound was a little different and saw that the rocks were not moving in the barrels. Turns out one of the fans had slipped somehow and the counterbalances were not lined up. That fan also had a lot of brown dirt inside of it whilst the other one was still the normal color. I readjusted the fans and started it back up and they once again started churning like normal. However, less than a minute later they slowed down again and, sure enough, that fan had moved. 😖 Has this happened to anyone else? Any advice on how to fix it?? Any input is greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance! UPDATE: I’m *pretty* sure the issue is a simple washer/bushing. See more info here... Update 5/1: SUCCESS! Just one little, thin bushing on one side (and a little oil on the bearings) stopped the jiggle, and made it run much quieter than before! Lord willing, I won’t be updating this again tomorrow saying the whole motor blew. 🤞🏼 WHOOHOO! UPDATE: Welp, I ended up replacing the motor a couple weeks later. 😑 My washer trick worked for a little while but it was a (very) temporary bandaid to Lot-O’s hit-or-miss quality control. It truly is frustrating, especially since it’s such a pricey machine.
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standles
spending too much on rocks
Well all I got was a rock ... Cool!
Member since February 2021
Posts: 325
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Post by standles on Apr 27, 2021 14:41:23 GMT -5
My fans are friction fit onto the shafts. That said I have not had them shift in use. I would most likely start by roughing up the shaft a bit with fine sandpaper to increase friction fit. Next step for me would be some hotglue or adhesive of some sort. You figure with the weight alignment being critical they would be keyed shafts.
The brown dust bothers me. If you note the instructions it states to blow out motor regularly and to never add grit while running. I assume latter is to ensure it doesn't spill/get sucked into the motor. Could that have happened.
Mine is scaring me because it has started making more noise than normal. All seems in place except the shaft now has some play in it. Running out of balance for all this time I understand wear but with replacement motors half the cost of a new machine I expect more than 3 months usage. We will see how long it lasts. Good luck with your issue. Hope someone else has more direct advice/experience.
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irlcjrohr
starting to spend too much on rocks
If it does not melt, polish it.
Member since April 2020
Posts: 123
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Post by irlcjrohr on Apr 27, 2021 15:03:31 GMT -5
I had the same issue but did not catch it in time and it cost me a motor. Check the clips and tighten them with a pliers or replace the fans. Much cheaper than a new motor.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Apr 27, 2021 16:00:49 GMT -5
Yikes, I hope this is not a common occurrence as I was planning on getting a Lot-O for my first vibe. I'm only going with the single barrel.
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AQuartzLow
starting to shine!
Member since November 2020
Posts: 44
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Post by AQuartzLow on Apr 27, 2021 17:29:59 GMT -5
Thank you, standles and irlcjrohr for your ideas. I completely wiped down the machine, blew the motor out with compressed air, added a drop of oil on each motor side of the spindle, and squeezed the fan clips with some needle-nose pliers. Just need to reload it and give it a test...crossing fingers!! ETA: It’s been about an hour since I started it back up again and so far, so good. It’s running as it should- both barrels are vibrating nicely. Must admit I’m a little wary of letting it go overnight, but everything looks/sounds as it should. Here’s hoping I don’t wake up to 2 barrels of cement and a blown motor in the morning! 🤞🏼
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Apr 28, 2021 3:53:25 GMT -5
Locktite ?
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AQuartzLow
starting to shine!
Member since November 2020
Posts: 44
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Post by AQuartzLow on Apr 28, 2021 12:13:39 GMT -5
FREAKIN’ A, MAN!!
The “fixes” I tried yesterday worked well...until now. I’ve been checking it every hour or so and it’s been spinning fine. However, when I checked it just now, the rocks once again weren’t moving, the fan on the right once again had brown dust on it, and that fan, once again, was the one that had moved out of balance.
The fans were still spinning when I unplugged it, but now THEY AREN’T EVEN DOING THAT!!!
I’m so pissed off about this! I’ve not even had it a year and haven’t even used it since November (we moved and so I’ve not been tumbling any rocks for a while). I shouldn’t have to spend $200 on a new motor every 6 months!!!
ETA: I got the unit in October (shipped 10/1/20 from The Rock Shed), so I used it for maybe 6 weeks before we moved. (!!) Now I know I got a lemon. 😡
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AQuartzLow
starting to shine!
Member since November 2020
Posts: 44
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Post by AQuartzLow on Apr 28, 2021 12:54:42 GMT -5
Another update: found a thread from Tommy from 2019 regarding this same issue. I called the number provided in that thread (507-451-2254) and spoke with Tom. He said the motor is out of waranty since I bought it in October and that a new one costs $125. He said that the manufacturer of the motor only gives them 90 days warranty. I asked who manufactures the motor- it’s Fasco Motor (Essex Brownell) and their number is 319-213-6968. (I then asked his name again, at which he replied, “I am lototumber.com” I repeated that back and asked, “Ok, and what’s your name again?” And he said, “I am the manufacturer.” Why he didn’t want to give me his name again is really weird, IMHO. 🤨) I’m going to give Fasco Motor a call, but I don’t know if I’ll have much luck. This really sucks- had I known this, I’d have gone with the Thumler’s UV10.
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standles
spending too much on rocks
Well all I got was a rock ... Cool!
Member since February 2021
Posts: 325
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Post by standles on Apr 28, 2021 13:28:18 GMT -5
Sorry to hear the issues and the stubbornness of the person on phone. Look s like if mine goes out I will look for another brand as well.
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standles
spending too much on rocks
Well all I got was a rock ... Cool!
Member since February 2021
Posts: 325
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Post by standles on Apr 28, 2021 14:13:13 GMT -5
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Apr 28, 2021 15:32:53 GMT -5
Odd that a Fasco motor would cause problems as they are rock solid. I have a couple in my pellet stove that are well over 15 years old and still run a smooth as the day I bought it.
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Post by HankRocks on Apr 28, 2021 15:48:52 GMT -5
Odd that a Fasco motor would cause problems as they are rock solid. I have a couple in my pellet stove that are well over 15 years old and still run a smooth as the day I bought it. It may be that it falls into the same trap as other small motors. Not sure about Fasco, but if it's now made overseas then there's a good chance that the quality has declined. If one can find an older, made in the U.S., new motor it's probably better.
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standles
spending too much on rocks
Well all I got was a rock ... Cool!
Member since February 2021
Posts: 325
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Post by standles on Apr 28, 2021 15:52:42 GMT -5
Odd that a Fasco motor would cause problems as they are rock solid. I have a couple in my pellet stove that are well over 15 years old and still run a smooth as the day I bought it. My opinion is these motors are made to be blower motors like yours that has lasted a long time. If you go searching for them they a re generally found in woodstove indistry and HVAC. However, I think the LOTO tumbler took the motor and put weights on the shaft (unbalanced) to make it into a vibration motor. The motor was never designed for that type application and as such prematurely wear out generally in the bearings and brushes (if my assumption they are brushed is correct) Additionally, I think this is why you see 30-90 day warranties on them when they carry a year warranty on the OEM sites.
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saxplayer
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2018
Posts: 1,327
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Post by saxplayer on Apr 28, 2021 16:24:30 GMT -5
Another update: found a thread from Tommy from 2019 regarding this same issue. I called the number provided in that thread (507-451-2254) and spoke with Tom. He said the motor is out of waranty since I bought it in October and that a new one costs $125. He said that the manufacturer of the motor only gives them 90 days warranty. I asked who manufactures the motor- it’s Fasco Motor (Essex Brownell) and their number is 319-213-6968. (I then asked his name again, at which he replied, “I am lototumber.com” I repeated that back and asked, “Ok, and what’s your name again?” And he said, “I am the manufacturer.” Why he didn’t want to give me his name again is really weird, IMHO. 🤨) I’m going to give Fasco Motor a call, but I don’t know if I’ll have much luck. This really sucks- had I known this, I’d have gone with the Thumler’s UV10. The problem is, the manufacture should stand by the product and deal with a warranty issues of the motors that they chose to put on their product. He should be giving you a new motor and it should be his problem to deal with Fasco
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saxplayer
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2018
Posts: 1,327
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Post by saxplayer on Apr 28, 2021 16:26:14 GMT -5
Another update: found a thread from Tommy from 2019 regarding this same issue. I called the number provided in that thread (507-451-2254) and spoke with Tom. He said the motor is out of waranty since I bought it in October and that a new one costs $125. He said that the manufacturer of the motor only gives them 90 days warranty. I asked who manufactures the motor- it’s Fasco Motor (Essex Brownell) and their number is 319-213-6968. (I then asked his name again, at which he replied, “I am lototumber.com” I repeated that back and asked, “Ok, and what’s your name again?” And he said, “I am the manufacturer.” Why he didn’t want to give me his name again is really weird, IMHO. 🤨) I’m going to give Fasco Motor a call, but I don’t know if I’ll have much luck. This really sucks- had I known this, I’d have gone with the Thumler’s UV10. The problem is, the manufacture should stand by the product and deal with a warranty issues of the motors that they chose to put on their product. He should be giving you a new motor and it should be his problem to deal with Fasco Perhaps Tommy can call on behalf of our forum. Considering many members use this Tumbler including myself, if we all refuse to use it because of poor quality control and confidence in the product – it might make a difference.
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AQuartzLow
starting to shine!
Member since November 2020
Posts: 44
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Post by AQuartzLow on Apr 28, 2021 17:04:07 GMT -5
I wonder if it’s the ball bearings that are causing the problem, standles (I really need to make an account to upload pics to show y’all the “bad” side of the motor. 🤦🏻♀️ It does look like it’s the ball bearings making the brown dust.) I wonder if a different motor would be able to handle the off-balanced fans necessary for the vibration? Per a search on this forum, it seems like there was a “bad batch” of motors that Lot-O knew about, which makes my interactions with “The Manufacturer” Tom more infuriating. Also, I found it weird that Lot-o used the same motor for both the single and the twin tumblers. Wouldn’t it be overkill for one or underpowered for the other? (My twin tumbler was very weak when I first bought it, which led me to this forum where I found out about adjusting the dowel in the back...) Either way, since there are several people who have had motor issues with their Lot-o, and considering they only have a 90 day warranty, seems like The Manufacturer needs to start using a different motor. saxplayer- I agree on both counts- Lot-o should contact Fasco, and it would be interesting to see their response if Tommy contacted them. (I am one who bought a Lot-o due to this forum!)
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standles
spending too much on rocks
Well all I got was a rock ... Cool!
Member since February 2021
Posts: 325
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Post by standles on Apr 28, 2021 17:08:52 GMT -5
Im considering one of the concrete vibrator motors on zmazon. 90watts as they are purpose made. It would be rigged install but doable.
Ps. Be careful when you search vibrator motor... dont ask
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Post by aDave on Apr 28, 2021 18:18:34 GMT -5
Ps. Be careful when you search vibrator motor... dont ask Thanks for the chuckle. Not meaning to hijack, but that kind of reminds when me and one of the secretaries at work went to look at the Chick's Sporting Goods website years ago. I just assumed the url was chicks.com. It wasn't. I couldn't close the browser window fast enough, but every time I tried, a new pop-up (no pun intended) window opened.
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Post by Rockindad on Apr 28, 2021 18:53:45 GMT -5
Another update: found a thread from Tommy from 2019 regarding this same issue. I called the number provided in that thread (507-451-2254) and spoke with Tom. He said the motor is out of waranty since I bought it in October and that a new one costs $125. He said that the manufacturer of the motor only gives them 90 days warranty. I asked who manufactures the motor- it’s Fasco Motor (Essex Brownell) and their number is 319-213-6968. (I then asked his name again, at which he replied, “I am lototumber.com” I repeated that back and asked, “Ok, and what’s your name again?” And he said, “I am the manufacturer.” Why he didn’t want to give me his name again is really weird, IMHO. 🤨) I’m going to give Fasco Motor a call, but I don’t know if I’ll have much luck. This really sucks- had I known this, I’d have gone with the Thumler’s UV10. You might want to look into what motors Thumler's uses................begins with an "F", ends with "asco".
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,646
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Post by Tommy on Apr 28, 2021 19:19:52 GMT -5
... it would be interesting to see their response if Tommy contacted them. (I am one who bought a Lot-o due to this forum!) As you noted, when I had a problem they quickly rectified the situation for me. After that successful resolution, I had a subsequent "business" conversation with the owner and found him to be a bit "prickly" like what you described. At this point I don't believe I have any more sway over the situation than you do and it might actually go in the opposite direction.
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