Cackling Chick
starting to spend too much on rocks
I LOVE ROCKS! 😁👍🏻🪨⛏️
Member since March 2022
Posts: 101
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Post by Cackling Chick on Apr 23, 2022 21:20:23 GMT -5
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doublebluff
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2021
Posts: 54
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Post by doublebluff on Apr 23, 2022 21:28:27 GMT -5
Stefan- great advice.
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phixer
having dreams about rocks
Member since January 2022
Posts: 69
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Post by phixer on Apr 24, 2022 6:35:39 GMT -5
I have older (10 plus years) thumlers barrels so this may not be as accurate but just a couple things I want to note: ALWAYS point the barrel lid end of the barrel away from the motor side (the picture shows why lol). Grit in the motor will spell the end of the sealed bearings in a matter of days. I ALWAYS add a little borax to my mix (not sure why but I have not had a blow out ever). The rubber retaining band that seals the barrel to the lid will stretch out. It will still feel tight but when compared to a new one there is a huge difference. I had a set of barrels (my oldest ones ironically) that leaked no matter what I tried. I had convinced my self that the barrels had rips in the end and was about to toss them when I talked to SHawn (The Rock Shed). He suggested I try new lid bands and added them to my order. YUP that was all it took. My bands were about 5 years old and had seen constant duty and were just stretched out. Odd thing is I have not had any other leakers since replacing those 2 bands. All my barrels are well over 10 years old now but I do have 2 barrels for each step now so they only see 1/4 of the amount of use. This tumbler is only a couple of months old so I don’t think the bands are to stretched out yet. They have changed the lids to a injection molded one and I don’t think they work as well as the old punched out ones, they don’t fit tightly. I have ordered 1/8” black acrylic sheets and I’ll make some new lids to see if that makes a difference.
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phixer
having dreams about rocks
Member since January 2022
Posts: 69
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Post by phixer on Apr 24, 2022 6:40:54 GMT -5
Someone in tumbling tips and tricks, pinned to the top of the rock tumbling section, said they start with hot water. Must be like old-fashioned canning, hot in creates a suction and draws the canning lid down and seals it. 🤔 Maybe that would help. Yeah I’ve tried hot water and pressing the bottom in, burping, to create a vacuum but that didn’t help. I think it’s the new lids so I’m going to make some new ones and see if that helps.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,334
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Post by quartz on Apr 24, 2022 22:31:11 GMT -5
We were given two 3lb. barrel Thumlers units complete, I had to make new end covers for both to keep them from leaking, and they are really old machines. Made them out of 3/16" PVC. I get my outer bands from the local auto parts-industrial supply, buy 1/4" O-rings that just fit into the barrel without binding or free sliding in, [ring O.D. same as barrel I.D.] work great.
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phixer
having dreams about rocks
Member since January 2022
Posts: 69
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Post by phixer on Apr 25, 2022 6:09:38 GMT -5
We were given two 3lb. barrel Thumlers units complete, I had to make new end covers for both to keep them from leaking, and they are really old machines. Made them out of 3/16" PVC. I get my outer bands from the local auto parts-industrial supply, buy 1/4" O-rings that just fit into the barrel without binding or free sliding in, [ring O.D. same as barrel I.D.] work great. Yeah I have some 1/8" black acrylic sheets coming and I'm going to make a couple of lids.
The new lids that come on the machines are injection molded and I don't think they are as tough as the old design. I looked at the lids that came with the tumbler and after a little over 4 months they are almost worn through in the center.
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