How to CLEAN and REPAIR Your Broken Rock Tumbler
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- Опубликовано: 19 сен 2024
- Learn how to quickly and easily clean and repair any rock tumbler! Has your rock tumbler slowed down lately? Is the barrel catching when it spins? Do you need to lubricate the wheel bearings? How do you clean your rock tumbler? All of these questions and more will be answered in this video!
***Important Note!
I have learned that using WD 40 is NOT recommended for the tumbler and would instead use 3 in 1 Oil. Also know that I have used WD 40 many times on my tumbler and have not had an issue so don’t fret if you did use it-but I will be using 3 in 1 oil from now on.
A few important tips and tricks:
Use WD 40 to lubricate your wheel bearings. If that doesn’t work, you may need to look inside your tumbler to check if you need to tighten your tumbler belt. When the belt is too loose, your barrel may not spin properly. It’s also important to clean out any rubber that the belt may have worn down inside your tumbler as well.
I hope these tips and tricks help you keep your rock tumbler in tip-top shape!
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🚨Important Note🚨 Do not use WD 40 for your tumbler. It can potentially cause issues with the bearings. I haven’t personally had a problem with using WD 40 but will be switching to a 3 in 1 Oil just to be safe. 😊
Thank you to the commenters who pointed this out to me and happy tumbling! 🙌
Money saving tip, you can take the unbroken belt to your Local Hardware store, Like Ace or Lowes, Buy rubber O rings the same size as the belt and use them in place of the belt. The are usually far cheaper than the replacement belts sold for tumblers and they are essentially the same thing. UNLESS you have a Tumble-Bee, they have a propitary toothed belt.
Oh good to know! I didn’t know that! I may have to do that next time. 😊
Don't use WD-40 it can eat away at plastics...what was recommended to me was 3 in One Oil. Otherwise, great tips and always good to pass on what you have learned! 😊
That’s what I was told.
Thank you both! I did not know that and did an update in my description!
@@AgateAriel no problem, you're welcome...always happy to help a fellow rock hounder/tumbler enthusiast out with advice
yes WD40 is a very light lubricant, but mostly a Water Displacer, hence its name. The other additives in WD40 can actually cause some plastics to harden, thus I would happily use it to clean out a wet or gritty bearing, but then lubricate it with a proper mineral oil such as the 3 in 1 mentioned.
It is always so satisfying to fix something up
Nice 33B tumbler maintenance video. Great job getting it very clean. Thanks for the tips and hands on demonstration.
Of course! Glad you found it helpful!
Just had to tighten my belt on my 33b yesterday when it wouldn’t turn with the barrels on after a barrel change. Worked like a charm.
Yes I like that the motor is adjustable and can be moved to tighten the belt!
This totally solved my issue, thank you!
Thank you for that. I have the same tumbler so that was super helpful.
They are not "Oil bearing shafts" it's telling you to Oil the bearings (the plastic sleeves) on the shafts. My Lortone 33B clone came with a few ml of a light machine oil similar to the 3 in 1 or of you are older, sewing machine oil.
Great video though, really enjoying going through your older content since I have watched all the new stuff :)
Great job, Ariel. Just what the tumbler needed. ⚒😷
Agreed! Long over due!
That was a very helpful video. Too bad i didnt have it when i had my lortone double barrel tumbler and it kept breaking the belts and then the motor finally seized up on it. i gave up on it! that was so easy. I didnt have the instructions for it because i got it used, but it was the same one you have. When i found out how much it was to buy a new one, i gave up on it. Wish i still had it now! lol! Thanks and i hope this saves someone time and money and stress! Awesome video!
Oh such a bummer! Yes too bad you didn’t see this sooner! Maybe you will have the opportunity again! 😊
My tumblers and I thank you!😊
Of course! Hope it helps!!
Good job I’ve done that too you showed that perfectly! Awesome job!
I use 3 in one oil personally ❤
Thank you and yes I learned it is not recommended to use WD 40!
@@AgateAriel 3 in one is good
So helpful, thank you
Great tutorial! I notice you run the barrels against the plastic white washer part that isn't replaceable. Have you tried putting a shim under that end so the barrels are touching the replaceable washer near the motor? Just curious as those washers do wear down. I loved this tutorial! 😁👍🏻🪨⛏️
I have honestly never thought about it! I will have to start doing that-thank you!!
@@AgateAriel I wouldn't have known either, but I read it somewhere. Love your channel! 😁👍🏻🪨🪨
@@AgateAriel Also, loosen the screw in the washer just a tad so they will spin when making contact with the tub vs. wearing in one spot on the washer. 😁👍🏻🪨⛏️
I use 3-1 oil , have used sewing machine oil before. Bearings and belts are inexpensive to buy I keep spares for 3A and QT66 😀
Yes I did not know you shouldn’t use WD 40! I’ve never personally had a problem with it but I will definitely be switching!
How much life do you typically get out of a belt? I've been running mine for a few years on the original belt, haven't noticed any issues. Definitely do not use WD40! I use a firearm lubricant, works great and its super cheap
Yes I see that WD 40 is not recommended! I personally haven’t had a problem with it yet but I will be switching now that I know!
As for the belt, this is my first time replacing it. I received the tumbler used last year and am not sure if it had been replaced before that. They seem to last a long time!
I use firearm lubricant too.
@@wyomingadventureswhich one?
Which brand?
@@brs293 Hoppes
Not rubber wheel, it's a rubber belt. A bit of rubbing alcohol on the belt & pulley followed by a bit of belt dressing works wonders.
WD-40 is too much of a solvent, 3 in 1 is definitely the way to go. Don't get me wrong, I use WD-40 for lots of things, but never actually lubricating machine parts. Here's a helpful tip - decant your WD-40 into a smaller bottle for more precise applications. I always keep a ½ oz bottle with a needle tip nose for dispensing in tight locations without all the spray mess.
Oh awesome! Thank you for the tips!
Do you have a video on how to oil the tumbler?
I have a Lortone tumbler someone gave me. It's the same model as the other one I have, but when I put a barrel on it rolls when stops. Can't figure out what the problem is. It's like brand new. Thinking that's why they gave it to me. Hoping I can figure it out. Great tips!
I would try tightening the belt and if that doesn’t work, potentially replacing the belt!
Oh my God I did not check the comments before I did it!! Will my machine be okay now I'm really worried
My problem is different. I had a blow out and returned home to find my barrel popped open and all the liquid spilled out of one of my Lortones ( 3A) the barrel was not totaling and grit was EVERYWHERE.
I Cleaned up then refilled the barrel. It would not turn read the manual to trouble shoot and tightened the belt
It worked well for about a week then I saw my tumbler was not moving.
The drive shift was turning but the grooved nut that is placed over the tongue to hold a single barrel in place kept jumping the track. I put it back on and it worked well for about an hour but it keeps jumping the tract.
Right now I am using it in one of my Chicago electric dual tumblers. I am not sure what to do about it skipping as it turns but each of my tumblers is dedicated to a step. This is sad because my tumbler is not even 3 months old. But I use a different tumbler gor my step 3 barrel
Oh wow! That almost sounds like a faulty tumbler. Have you reached out to lortone? Maybe they can send you replacement especially if it isn’t very old!
This was a great video! Thank you
Thanks for watching! 😊
thank you for sharing video friend
Of course! Glad you liked it! 😊
Great tips👍 Thanks 😊
Thanks Ariel for the valuable maintenance tips! I have the same model got it this summer, oh btw my tumbler is outside in the bike shed will subzero conditions effect the process? P.S. not Minnesota weather here in the Netherlands but it did dip under freezing last week.
I’m not sure if they are meant for such cold weather. I would check your tumbler manual to see if that’s okay!
@AgateAriel I used to live in the Netherlands it is very humid as it is below sea level with polders. My husband used to say the " water cold" from the North sea is much colder than dry snow in the US. I keep all my tumblers in my home and just put a tray or tote lid under each
Hi my belt keeps breaking even with a new one!
Thats good to know. Can we do the same thing with a national geographic tumbler
I would assume so!
No. There's no shafts to oil or bearings. You have NO belt adjustment on them either. The DC motors burn out on them and you can replace them, that and the belt is all you can service. They work pretty good though, I have several of them, slowing them down a bit helps.
The lid to my rock tumbler is stuck what do I do
Pry it up with something!
@@AgateAriel after some careful negotiating I was able to get it open with a flathead
Is there an inexpensive tumbler that you would recommend for someone just starting out in rock tumbling?
I have heard good things about the nat geo tumbler-but haven’t used it yet myself!
@@AgateAriel Awesome...thanks!
@AgateAriel According to Michigan rocks the NG tumbler turns too fast and their grit is very poor
The Lortone A is a very good and reliable tumbler but cost at least 125.00. A much cheaper option is the Chicago electric by Harbor freight. YOU can get a 2 barrel tumbler for 69.00. If you try one immediately buy 3 in 1 oil and use on the drive shift ( roller bars) before tumbling. I have 2 ( for a 4 barrel total) and they work very well.
The National Geographic tumbler is a good starter tumbler. Buy a better grit like from The Rock Shed or Polly Plastics. I have several of them and what I did was cut the power cables and used a MeanWell supply that I could cut the voltage down on. That allows you to slow the tumblers down a good bit. If you buy one, keep your proof of purchase and when the little DC motor burns up, they'll send you another for free.
Those nuts must not be very tight. You would normally need a socket wrench for that socket.😎
Haha right I was surprised I didn’t need one!
WD40 isn't a lubricant. It cleans very well but lacks in the lubricant area. WD40 makes a lubricant tho but 3 in 1 oil is best used for lubrication on moving parts.
USE 3 IN 1 oil instead of WD40
Yes definitely! I have heard WD40 is not good for the tumbler so I am definitely making the switch!
They don't work like that. The belt should be basically loose. Your barrels should be clean as well. You're doing it all wrong.
I agree with another post. You don't use WD-40. Use lithium grease in tiny amounts.