elementary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,077
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Post by elementary on Feb 21, 2010 21:46:15 GMT -5
So, I like the covington rotary tumblers for what they do. When I'm not impatient, I get great results. They last, they spin, they rumble.
What I have trouble with is getting the dang 6 lb barrel lids to close without leaking. It can take up to 5 times or more of screwing the &%^$#$ thing down, watching it roll and then produce a thin dribble of mess that snakes its way out to drip or gum up my shafts.
I've tightened it low, tightened it high, swapped lids, swapped barrels, and I'm not sure what exactly I'm doing wrong...but my blood pressure is rising. I almost lined the lid with vaseline just to seal it - but then I caught myself and said to the part of me still thinking "Never modify in anger...or desperation." But I've had a batch of 600 sitting idle while the lid drools every time I try to reset it...
So - advice? Suggestions? Are there any easier to use barrels that would fit on the dual 6 lb covington model tumbler?
If not - looking for a decent 6 lb vibe to handle the job...?
Lowell
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Post by sandsman1 on Feb 21, 2010 22:17:42 GMT -5
i have always used lortone barrels and machines and i have never had one leak -- i like the model b-s also from thumlers never had one leak ether -- when i was looking at my first tumblers to buy i didnt like the way thumlers where put together with the gasket so i went with lortone and still do because all mine are still running haha --- and i have bought some older ones off ebay and the barrels looked pretty used and there still runnin and not leakin -- maybe you can find out about the size on the smaller barrels and use lortone's cause as long as you clean the inner lip they dont leak heres a link to the lortone barrel sizes maybe you can fig if they will work on your tumbler www.therockshed.com/partslortone.html..
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WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
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Post by WarrenA on Feb 21, 2010 23:54:52 GMT -5
A little vaseline on the threads and where the gasket makes the seal won't hurt a thing as long as there isn't any grit in it. I had a homemade barrel with a plumbing cleanout on the end and those threads would never seal until I put a little vaseline on them.
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Feb 22, 2010 7:35:56 GMT -5
Be careful with Vaseline as it's a petroleum by-product and deteriorates rubber seals. Silicone works well, but is hard to clean off if necessary.
Dr Joe
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bobh
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2009
Posts: 55
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Post by bobh on Feb 22, 2010 14:18:46 GMT -5
Might try calling Covington and see if they have any suggestions. Bob
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Post by rockrookie on Feb 22, 2010 18:09:03 GMT -5
FOR MY MONEY Lortone barrells are the best . i would see i you can switch barrels . just my 2 cents . :2cents: ---paul
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,456
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Post by Sabre52 on Feb 22, 2010 19:41:47 GMT -5
Love Lortone barrels! Lortone tumblers, not so much these days *L* I use my Lortone barrels left over from my dead machines on my other big tumbler because the barrels are very dependable and easy to use.....Mel
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Post by llana2go on Feb 24, 2010 22:31:45 GMT -5
I also have Lortone barrels and have never had a problem unless I got in a hurry and didn't clean & dry them good.
Not familiar with Covington barrels. From your description, it sounds like the lid screws on like a jar - is that right? If so, have you thought about using some of that thin, stretchy, white plumber's tape? Don't know what the proper name is, but it sure prevents leaks on my propane tank hook-up.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Feb 24, 2010 22:59:19 GMT -5
That would be teflon tape. I wonder if Lowell can find Lortone barrels of the proper size.
The one problem I've had with the Thumler's Model B type barrel is that the lid liner eventually wears out. I got a truck tire inner tube which should provide many lid liners.
Chuck
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Dec 14, 2013 18:10:53 GMT -5
Another apology for pulling up an old thread. With my 36 pound Covington, I never had a problem with a barrel leaking. BUT.... I always clean the rim of the barrel thoroughly before I replace the lid. Just a good rinse along the inner rim, then drying with some paper towel is sufficient. Then, I would rinse off the lid, and clean it with dish soap and a white Scott pad/sponge then dry it with the paper towel before clamping it in place with the hose clamp. It has always worked for me without an issue. I did eventually get a Lortone QT-66, but it would always take twice as long as the Covington to work down a batch of rough. I finally had to sell it because it was too slow, inefficient, and liked to eat belts.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Dec 14, 2013 18:45:13 GMT -5
Next to my home made PVC barrels i like my 12 pound Lortone for sure.
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Dec 17, 2013 13:29:41 GMT -5
Sounds like a PITA.
Chuck it and buy a 12 pound lortone, or run their barrels on a home-built.
I clean the rim and lid till they're spotless, and take time to be sure it's all dry and perfectly seated...
Never, ever had a leak. It's really quite a brilliant design, would be interesting to know who invented that lid system.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2013 10:44:58 GMT -5
Greetings [elementary] Lowell love your AA picture books, great job collating the info & pictures. Empty rubber barrel weights, average gross weight when filled to 3/4 capacity & external barrel dimensions: Evans (UK) Size 1.36kg (3lb) = 0.60kg (1.32lb), 2.5kg (5.51lb), 140mm (5.5") Length X 115mm (4.5") Width. Lortone (USA) Size 1.36kg (3lb) = 0.50kg (1.12lb), 2kg (4.4lb), 107mm (4.2") Length X 115mm (4.5") Width. Lortone (USA) Size 2.72kg (6lb) = 1.45kg (3.19lb), 5.5kg (12.12lb), 115mm (4.5") Length X Width 200mm (8"). Lortone (USA) Size 5.44kg (12lb) = 2.4kg (5.29lb), 14kg (30.86lb), 215mm (8.5") Length X Width 200mm (8"). Please check out my Sticky's below. -- Please click images to open larger images in a new Tab, same with everything that is Underlined! I hail from (The Barony of Seabegs) Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, U.K, where aliens (15mb) sometimes come for a visit & about 4 miles west from this monstrosity! Sticky's: their contents are resource information 1#: Vendors worldwide (2mb), 2#: How to use the forum, 3#: How to identify rocks & minerals, 4#: Save money on expensive grits & polishes, 5#: Aussie Lapidary Forum: Rock Tumbling Guide!
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