dezman
off to a rocking start
Newbie
Member since May 2022
Posts: 3
|
Post by dezman on May 14, 2022 20:22:12 GMT -5
Help! My boys pooled their allowance money to order a Lortone 33-B. However, after plugging it in with two empty barrels for a test run, the barrels didn’t turn. This will be their summer project, with visions of quarts and jasper dancing in their heads. And they were devastated when we couldn’t get the tumblers to rotate on our test run!
I researched tumblers, and read that Lortones were sturdy and could be used for years—rather than a couple of batches. So I am wondering if this situation is user error rather than a poorly made product. Other than that, do I need to tighten or replace the belt? Or is it the friction of the barrels rubbing against the side preventing the barrels from freely moving?
When I placed the barrels— screw sides facing out— in the tumbler, the barrels seemed to be catching to one of side of the frame.
When I removed the barrels and turned on the tumbler, one of the spindles is turning, but the other is not. The spindle that isn’t turning doesn’t have as much resistance when I rotate it manually. Whereas the spindle that rotates when the motor is on resists manual spinning.
Any help or suggestions are appreciated!
|
|
lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 766
|
Post by lordsorril on May 14, 2022 20:35:04 GMT -5
Welcome!
Not sure if it is your issue, but, the belt might be loose.
Around 3:45 in the video below I show tightening the belt on the Lortone 33B, all you have to do is loosen the three bolts and shift the motor a bit to the side.
I had to replace the bushings in the video set, but, my Lortone 33B's have been running non-stop for 3 years (no belt changes) so I'm not going to complain over a little bit of maintenance.
|
|
|
Post by perkins17 on May 14, 2022 20:44:56 GMT -5
Hey there, 33bs are some of the best tumblers built -I run one myself. Start by oiling the bushings (little white plastic pieces on the ends of the shafts) and then tightening the belt. That should be all you have to do. If that doesn't work, come back on and let us know. There are other members much more knowledgeable than myself.
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on May 15, 2022 4:46:11 GMT -5
Welcome to RTH! I'm sure we'll get you up and running. This is a great hobby to get the get the kids into. I'm glad they are so excited.
|
|
|
Post by Starguy on May 15, 2022 12:42:31 GMT -5
dezman One spindle turning is normal. Did you have rocks in the barrels. The rubber barrels can get misshapen during shipping. The extra weight of rocks helps the barrels engage the spindles. The only time I’ve had Lortone barrels not want to spin, it was because the barrels were dirty on the outside. That has been with qt12s. No problems with 3A or 33B. Try wiping any dust off the outside of the barrels. Put some rocks inside and try it again. Belt tension shouldn’t be an issue with a new tumbler, but it is easily adjusted. Welcome to the forum. Lots of great info here. You and your boys will find lots of good info on almost anything lapidary related. Let us know how it turns out. qt12s on the left. 33b on the right. Just for info, where did you purchase the Lortone? Good luck. Sincerely, Brent.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on May 15, 2022 13:35:01 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum.
My first guess is that you have a belt issue. I didn't look at the video provided above, but I'm going to guess it will walk you through the adjustment. Just as much as being too loose can be an issue, so it can be if the belt is too tight. It shouldn't be super taut but should have a bit of deflection when you press on it. As soon aw you remove the cover, you'll see that only one rod is driven. The other is an idler. After you fiddle with the belt a bit, please pass along an update.
|
|
dezman
off to a rocking start
Newbie
Member since May 2022
Posts: 3
|
Post by dezman on Jun 14, 2022 18:16:06 GMT -5
Welp, figured out the issue! (And it is embarrassing)
I plugged the Lortone in again on the dining table, to look one more time, and the tumblers started spinning!
My guess: I initially tested the tumbler on an uneven surface that affected the tumbler.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2022 21:31:26 GMT -5
I’m glad it’s working for you! Welcome from Illinois.
|
|
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
|
Post by LazerFlash on Jun 15, 2022 23:56:02 GMT -5
Welcome from Charles Town WV. (Think Charles Washington, brother of our first President.)
Glad you got your boys' tumbler running. And, FWIW, we all have our share of embarrassing moments.
|
|