LazerFlash
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The more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the toilet.
Member since September 2021
Posts: 548
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Post by LazerFlash on Apr 30, 2022 15:18:56 GMT -5
I'm having a second issue with my new dual-barrel Harbor Freight tumbler: Initially it developed a squeak early in the first run. I ultimately narrowed the source down to the adjustable plastic tab that keeps the cap end from coming into contact with the metal frame of the tumbler. It's only happening on one side; the motor side. I have been unable to keep the barrels from migrating to that one end of the rollers.
The only things that seem to stop the squeak are (1) to not use the tab or, (2) use some non-reactive grease (Labelle 106 - great stuff!) on the tab. Obviously, option #1 isn't really an option, as that would allow metal-on-metal contact between the barrel cap and the frame. Option #2 has eliminated the squeak, but now I have a smear of worn black plastic and grease on the barrel cap. Also, the plastic tab is wearing a bit. (See photos.) The tumbler is perfectly level. I have tried elevating one end and then the other, but that hasn't changed the fact that the barrels seem to want to migrate to the one side. (FWIW, my single barrel HF tumbler doesn't have this problem. That barrel generally stays centered on the rollers.)
Has anyone experienced this with their dual-barreled tumblers, and if so, what's been your long-term solution?
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brybry
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Member since October 2021
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Post by brybry on Apr 30, 2022 15:26:23 GMT -5
Yup, wore both tabs slap off. Nothing I ever did fixed it.
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stefan
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Member since January 2005
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Post by stefan on Apr 30, 2022 17:07:11 GMT -5
Same here. I hate to tell you how I fixed it but it involved spending $249 for a Thumler's AR-2. lol
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Post by perkins17 on Apr 30, 2022 17:26:26 GMT -5
I coated mine in a bit of 3 in one oil and that stopped it pretty good. Mine wears down a lot, but it could be worse. I'm running a Lortone 33b and the tabs run on the barrel washer, not the outer lid.
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nursetumbler
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Member since February 2022
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Post by nursetumbler on Apr 30, 2022 17:27:33 GMT -5
LazerFlashIf you get the clear roller covers cleaned of the blackness they stop migrating when the base is level. My husband said those black stays are just plastic and the friction of the metal barrel with the plastic just wears it down. I've never had them squeak personally. Do you YouTube? There is a video on there where the guy takes a pop cap and uses a paddle bit to cut a circle out and he used that on his tumbler. Maybe there is nylon sheeting at some hobby store that you could make nylon discs out of. When mine wear down that what I want to replace the black with
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dshanpnw
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2020
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Post by dshanpnw on Apr 30, 2022 17:50:05 GMT -5
Hello lazerflash, I run Lortone 33B and the barrels do migrate to one end, but they don't squeak. I'm not sure how the HF models are, but if possible I would rig a small sliding door roller in place of the plastic tab.
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phixer
having dreams about rocks
Member since January 2022
Posts: 69
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Post by phixer on Apr 30, 2022 18:29:14 GMT -5
I had the same issue on the single barrel version and found silicone grease stopped the squeaking but still had the greasy mess.
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LazerFlash
Cave Dweller
The more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the toilet.
Member since September 2021
Posts: 548
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Post by LazerFlash on Apr 30, 2022 23:04:43 GMT -5
Same here. I hate to tell you how I fixed it but it involved spending $249 for a Thumler's AR-2. lol LOL
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LazerFlash
Cave Dweller
The more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the toilet.
Member since September 2021
Posts: 548
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Post by LazerFlash on Apr 30, 2022 23:07:39 GMT -5
...but if possible I would rig a small sliding door roller in place of the plastic tab. This is a good idea! My wife is actually the better jury-rigger, so I'll set her on that task.
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LazerFlash
Cave Dweller
The more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the toilet.
Member since September 2021
Posts: 548
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Post by LazerFlash on Apr 30, 2022 23:10:04 GMT -5
LazerFlash If you get the clear roller covers cleaned of the blackness they stop migrating when the base is level. I hadn't thought of that! One problem actually causing another... imagine that...?
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LazerFlash
Cave Dweller
The more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the toilet.
Member since September 2021
Posts: 548
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Post by LazerFlash on Apr 30, 2022 23:13:30 GMT -5
LazerFlash Do you YouTube? There is a video on there where the guy takes a pop cap and uses a paddle bit to cut a circle out and he used that on his tumbler. Maybe there is nylon sheeting at some hobby store that you could make nylon discs out of. When mine wear down that what I want to replace the black with If cleaning the rollers doesn't solve the problem, I will certainly investigate this! Hypothetically, plastic on plastic/vinyl should wear differently than metal on plastic. In theory, anyway.
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jimmie
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2021
Posts: 233
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Post by jimmie on May 1, 2022 10:12:55 GMT -5
I solved all tumbler problems, I built my own. Runs great, no problems. If I do have a problem, it’s easy to contact myself to repair it!
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Time
starting to spend too much on rocks
Making something positive out of COVID restrictions by learning to create jewelry out of stones.
Member since September 2021
Posts: 154
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Post by Time on May 1, 2022 13:23:36 GMT -5
I think all roller tumbler barrels migrate one direction or another. My Thumler had plastic rings on the roller ends, I think Lortone uses metal tabs that the barrel knobs go in. Some people use little wheels that restrict movement. On my Harbor Freight I modified the plastic tabs by removing the barrels, orienting the tabs to 90 deg. to the end, then took my jewelry torch and heated the area of the tab at the edge of the base and bent it down to a 90 deg. shape. I orientated the tabs so they point in the direction of the drum rotation, that is motor end down, other end up. That way the tabs only rub on the washer. My barrels migrate away from the motor end and I noticed wear on the other tab after a couple of weeks. I cut a small piece of plastic from a soda straw, poked a small hole in it and screwed it on the tumbler under the tab so the barrel makes contact with the slick plastic from the straw. So far it seems to work fine, I haven’t put any oil on it and it just rubs on the barrel lid washer. If it does wear out I will be out another small piece of soda straw, or I could move to a piece of plastic Coke bottle.
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nursetumbler
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2022
Posts: 928
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Post by nursetumbler on May 1, 2022 13:29:25 GMT -5
I think all roller tumbler barrels migrate one direction or another. My Thumler had plastic rings on the roller ends, I think Lortone uses metal tabs that the barrel knobs go in. Some people use little wheels that restrict movement. On my Harbor Freight I modified the plastic tabs by removing the barrels, orienting the tabs to 90 deg. to the end, then took my jewelry torch and heated the area of the tab at the edge of the base and bent it down to a 90 deg. shape. I orientated the tabs so they point in the direction of the drum rotation, that is motor end down, other end up. That way the tabs only rub on the washer. My barrels migrate away from the motor end and I noticed wear on the other tab after a couple of weeks. I cut a small piece of plastic from a soda straw, poked a small hole in it and screwed it on the tumbler under the tab so the barrel makes contact with the slick plastic from the straw. So far it seems to work fine, I haven’t put any oil on it and it just rubs on the barrel lid washer. If it does wear out I will be out another small piece of soda straw, or I could move to a piece of plastic Coke bottle. TimeDo you have a photo of that? I'd love to see it.
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Time
starting to spend too much on rocks
Making something positive out of COVID restrictions by learning to create jewelry out of stones.
Member since September 2021
Posts: 154
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Post by Time on May 1, 2022 13:56:04 GMT -5
To nursetumbler, I don’t know how to do the photo thing yet, I will need to do more study, school never stops 😩.
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inbtb
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Member since May 2016
Posts: 351
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Post by inbtb on May 1, 2022 14:56:33 GMT -5
When the plastic tab on my 33B wore out I put a plastic roller on mine as has been recommended in a earlier post. Roller 1
Roller 2 Roller 3
Hope this helps Les
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rockbrain
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Member since January 2022
Posts: 2,497
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Post by rockbrain on May 1, 2022 20:07:18 GMT -5
When the plastic tab on my 33B wore out I put a plastic roller on mine as has been recommended in a earlier post. Roller 1
Roller 2 Roller 3
Hope this helps Les
Brilliant!
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waterboysh
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2021
Posts: 369
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Post by waterboysh on May 16, 2022 13:25:29 GMT -5
When the plastic tab on my 33B wore out I put a plastic roller on mine as has been recommended in a earlier post. Do you know where that post is? This is exactly what I would like to do with my 33B.
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inbtb
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2016
Posts: 351
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Post by inbtb on May 16, 2022 16:12:11 GMT -5
Hello lazerflash, I run Lortone 33B and the barrels do migrate to one end, but they don't squeak. I'm not sure how the HF models are, but if possible I would rig a small sliding door roller in place of the plastic tab. This is the post I was referring to. "Small sliding door roller" part. I think I got mine at Home Depot in a package of 4, 2 large 2 small. I am kind of a pack rat so just found a small piece of metal, small bolt and nut and some self tapping screws.. Roller is in 3rd year, I think.
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