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Post by docone31 on Nov 29, 2003 20:25:48 GMT -5
I have my favourite Loretone 33B dual bbl tumbler. It just burned out a motor. I was given by a customer a 1960's Loretone Star-Brite tumbler. It is a single bbl tumbler. The motor looked similar and it would tumble like a rocket where the dual bbl was slower. I took a chance and swapped motors. There was a clearance issue, and a belt issue. I drilled out the primary pulley, ran the motor unloaded with it installed backwards on the tumbler housing. With a file I turned down the fan so it would clear the secondary pulley. I also took the plastic bearings, cleaned them in alcohol, and wrapped teflon tape on the inside. It worked and seems to be working well. Mind you, I am a distributor for lapidary equipment and I could get the parts at cost. It would have been less complicated but not so cost effective to simply replace. I just want to say, it can be done. It can be done.
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Trylobyte
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 101
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Post by Trylobyte on Nov 30, 2003 0:24:56 GMT -5
There's some certain amount of satisfaction just making odd things work together...
I have a Lortone 12 lb'er, and 3 Thumler Model B's. The motors for both were made by Fasco, and were the same form, fit, etc, but the Thumlers turned much slower22 RPM vs the 36 RPM for the Lortone. I looked carefully at the pulley ratios, and they weren't much different between the two. The Lortone happened to be my polishing roller, and I've read that slower is better, so I just swapped the two motors. Had to loosen the small drive pulleys (allen wrench) and realign, but this wasn't difficult, just used a straightedge to make sure they were lined up. And presto, my Lortone now rolls at a much slower 20 RPM. I made the "fast" thumler my #2 grit tumbler, and it seems to accept the challenge.
Neccesity is the mother of invention...
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Post by Noosh9057 on Nov 30, 2003 11:22:56 GMT -5
Yes I you are right making something work that should not is fun. Well talk latter.
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WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
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Post by WarrenA on Dec 1, 2003 0:39:58 GMT -5
I have made 2 tumblers out of mostly scrap material and can tell you for a fact that making something work is by far more satisifing.
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Post by Noosh9057 on Dec 1, 2003 14:24:28 GMT -5
Yes that is great. It is fun to make something work.
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