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Post by TheRock on Oct 7, 2019 1:21:13 GMT -5
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Post by rockjunquie on Oct 7, 2019 7:19:01 GMT -5
Great job! You haven't had those very long. I'm no expert- at all- but shouldn't they have lasted longer?
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Post by HankRocks on Oct 7, 2019 7:25:49 GMT -5
I Rebuilt 14 Shafts this evening 6 Front Pulley Shafts and 8 Rear Shafts Complete with Rubbers, Retainers, And Bearings, And star retainers as Needed. The last picture shows the rebuilt shafts. It's on my list of things to do. Will do the spares then switch out with the ones on the 3 Model b's and then do those. Mine usually run for a year to a year and half before they start acting up.
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Post by TheRock on Oct 7, 2019 12:19:31 GMT -5
I Rebuilt 14 Shafts this evening 6 Front Pulley Shafts and 8 Rear Shafts Complete with Rubbers, Retainers, And Bearings, And star retainers as Needed. The last picture shows the rebuilt shafts. It's on my list of things to do. Will do the spares then switch out with the ones on the 3 Model b's and then do those. Mine usually run for a year to a year and half before they start acting up. I have again about the same amount I will do today, Tela you don't want to let them wear too long without changing the bearings or you will wear the shaft out of tolerance and Ruin the shaft. Like Henry say's about a year and I would at least clean lube and check all tolerances against a new one. If tolerences are to far out of spec I will replace. Every 6 months they need to be cleaned and re-lubed.
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Post by captbob on Oct 7, 2019 13:32:33 GMT -5
I can't figure out what is going on here. I thought you only had 3 Model B tumblers. You have more now? The photo shows 4 tumblers worth and now you say that you have the same amount to do today. 8 tumblers worth? Seems that you have been rock tumbling for less than 2 years and you have all those shafts needing to be refurbished? Maybe this is the problem - Every 6 months they need to be cleaned and re-lubed. I may not check the rocks inside for a year at a time, but I always oil, clean and reoil the ends of the shafts at the white "bearings" every couple months - at the most. Month and a half is better if I can make the time, but it is usually two. How often are you oiling the motors? Dude... this is a tumbler, made to be used by folks with little to no clue what they are doing, not some Nascar engine. Oil the shaft ends, run the little white "bearings" back & forth a few times over the fresh oil, wipe off the shaft and reoil.
Dealing with the rocks inside is optional. The rocks don't care!
I bought all the extra parts to do this from the Rock Shed 5 or more years ago just to have them on hand. I bet I could find that bag of parts around my garage somewhere - if I had to - in less than 30 minutes!
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Post by TheRock on Oct 7, 2019 18:10:58 GMT -5
Guess when you work in the service field your entire life and Pull Preventive Maintenance on your equipment -vs- Re-active Maintenance I guess it depends what side of the tracks you come from. In my many years on this earth I have realized there are 3 types of people. 1. The Ones That Make It Happen. 2. The Ones That Watch It Happen. 3. And The Ones That After It's All Over Say WTFrank Just Happened? I Oil my Shafts And White Bearings Monthly along with my MTR Two - Three Drops of Oil. And I still Get Worn Groved Shaft's. Just took these pictures and used Digital Calipers to Check how many thousandths the shafts were off and they are 16 thousandths out of spec. The pictures of the shafts are grooved and need more maintenance than I am giving. The conditions in Fla must be better than Mich........ I am running this through my mind and am wondering what would help this..... change out the shafts every couple months was bearing ends with solvent blow out with compressor reoil and set aside till next change out. How about a felt washer on each side of the bearing with oil applied? This would keep dust out, and provide additional lubrication to bearing. I dont have an answer but I am willing to try things to improve this situation. One thing for sure Sitting on your hands wont get it done.
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Post by TheRock on Oct 7, 2019 20:04:03 GMT -5
I know alot of people have heard of permanently lubricated. Well it is due to having Bronze Bushings Impregnated witn PTFE (teflon) lubricant. The bronze bearing actually has channels and holds lubricant to keep the enough lubricant to lubricate over the life of the product. Altho this is much better than the Thumler design it wold be a 100% impovement. A piece of nylon wrapped around a Shaft doesn't hold lubricant and is JUNK! Here is a Bronze Bearing Impregnated with PTFE this bearing has much closer tolerances. I will think about this some more and come up with a better solution.
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Post by parfive on Oct 8, 2019 0:51:11 GMT -5
Bronze is for pussies. Get some lignum vitae and carve ‘em yourself.
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Post by captbob on Oct 8, 2019 7:59:23 GMT -5
I guess my point was what does some wear on the shafts hurt? Have your tumblers quit turning?
I understand being proactive rather than reactive, but there is also such a thing as overkill.
What for?
Seems you are painting the car because it got dirty rather than just washing it. Guess we all have our own little OCD demons!
ETA: Ya know Rock Shed sells the complete shafts with all the rollers, bearings & clips right? Looking at costs, it seems the completely new shaft is only a couple bucks more than the parts separately.
No need to reinvent EVERY wheel you come across!
Make a home made tumbler to run all your barrels. I'm sure it would be much nicer than something you can buy off a shelf. And live up to your expectations. Personally, I'd love to see it!
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Post by rockjunquie on Oct 8, 2019 10:58:55 GMT -5
Seeing this thread is making me wonder what I have to do to my lot-0 to keep it going. I have a small lortone rotary that I have been using abt 20 years. I oil it once in a while and replace belts. That's about it.
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Post by aDave on Oct 8, 2019 11:12:13 GMT -5
I know alot of people have heard of permanently lubricated. Well it is due to having Bronze Bushings Impregnated witn PTFE (teflon) lubricant. The bronze bearing actually has channels and holds lubricant to keep the enough lubricant to lubricate over the life of the product. Altho this is much better than the Thumler design it wold be a 100% impovement. A piece of nylon wrapped around a Shaft doesn't hold lubricant and is JUNK! Here is a Bronze Bearing Impregnated with PTFE this bearing has much closer tolerances. I will think about this some more and come up with a better solution. Bob, The old shafts on my QT-66 looked the same as yours, and I've had no blowouts to cause a spilled abrasive problem. I don't process my barrels near the frames, so I was surprised to see the wear that I had. That said, since you mentioned bronze bushings, take a look at this post and then follow in the thread. This user found a direct snap in for his QT 66 which I also know you have. If you can figure out what he found, please let me know, as I'd like to get a set for my QT. I had a hard time deciphering the information he provided. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/post/990682/thread
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Post by TheRock on Oct 9, 2019 1:44:14 GMT -5
I have thought it over and On the Thumler B I think the best way to fix the thumler is to install REAL BEARINGS that will last nearly for ever. I would use a 5/16 Flange Ball Bearing. (4) Required. New Shafts (2) Required and 5/16 Collars (12) Required I am sure that pricing will be much cheaper than shown. Of course the Rubber Rollers and Retainers Will be replaced also. Dave I am with you on the QT66 The Bronze Bearings are a good upgrade I will look into it.
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Post by rockjunquie on Oct 9, 2019 11:02:31 GMT -5
TheRock You are a trip! I love how you tinker! I mean this in a good way.
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Post by captbob on Oct 9, 2019 12:34:38 GMT -5
I am anxiously waiting for the homemade tumbler that will, without a doubt, put every other homemade tumbler ever built to shame.
Something nuclear powered perhaps?
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