Brand new Rebel 17 problem

[choochoorocks]

Hi, I just unboxed and set up my brand new low speed Rebel 17. When I turn it on, I notice that the pulley on the drive shaft wobbles a little, and makes a rickety noise. It's made of plastic, which is disappointing. I suppose it's hard to get good tolerances on plastic. For others who have this machine, does your pulley wobble and make noise as well? Or should I call Kingsley North and return it?

[pebblesky]

As my high speed Rebel 17 gets a bit older (1.5 year), it starts to make some rickety noise but the noise comes and goes. I don't remember having this issue in the beginning though. My overall experience with Rebel 17 is great. One thing to note is for the first several batches the barrel kept leaking due to the lid being pushed out by gas build up. After I filled the barrel with hot water and stopped adding sugar to the water, the issue was resolved.

My major concern for my Rebel 17 is the barrel is always pushed to the opposite side of the motor, and one of the drive shaft bulge rings (don't know the exact term) gets thinner and thinner by the abrading action from the barrel



I will eventually need this drive shaft kit: stainlesstumblingmedia.com/rebel-17-driveshaft-rubber-kit.html

Also, the center area of the rubber lid gasket gets thinner and thinner and I will sooner or later need a replacement: stainlesstumblingmedia.com/lid-gasket-for-model-b.html

[pebblesky]

Did you fill the barrel to its recommended volume? Maybe it actually rotates better with the recommended weight?

[choochoorocks]

Thanks for your reply! I haven't even put the barrel on actually. I just turned the power on after putting the base together.

I see what you mean about that plastic part on the shaft wearing out. I think I see it rubbing on mine too.

[choochoorocks]

So here is a video of that pulley and the sound it makes. Kingsley North is saying it's normal and will not cause any issues during tumbling. I'd like to know though if anyone sees this for their Rebel 17?

[pebblesky]

Hmm I don't remember hearing this sound and seeing this type of movement. I will take a look and take a video once I get home.

[mirkee]

That wobbles about as much as mine does.  I get a humming noise which is present with barrel or no barrel.  I'll take the belt off and see if it's the motor.  I, too, am disappointed with the plastic pulley but it may not be an issue in the long term,  It's always run real good and quiet other than the hum.  I'm happy all the way around.

[pebblesky]

This is how my high speed Rebel 17 rotates. I muted the sound because with the rocks rolling you can hardly hear anything else. I will check tomorrow once I unload the barrel to see how it rotates when there is no barrel.

[choochoorocks]

Jul 26, 2024 23:15:15 GMT -5 pebblesky said:

This is how my high speed Rebel 17 rotates. I muted the sound because with the rocks rolling you can hardly hear anything else. I will check tomorrow once I unload the barrel to see how it rotates when there is no barrel.

Wow yours looks nice and inline!

[choochoorocks]

Ok, I removed the belt, and found that the rickety sound stopped (video below). Listening closely, it seems like it is coming from the plastic pulley or vicinity.

I also compared this pulley with the one on my QT66. I bought my QT66 used, and it had been heavily used and looks to be rather old. Despite that, its pulley still runs truer than this brand new Rebel 17's. Video below.

[choochoorocks]

Update: I decided I got a lemon and ended up returning the unit to Kingsley North. They sent me a new one, and its pulley turns just fine.

[pebblesky]

Aug 7, 2024 0:21:17 GMT -5 choochoorocks said:

Update: I decided I got a lemon and ended up returning the unit to Kingsley North. They sent me a new one, and its pulley turns just fine.

Great move!