Stinking Rock Tumbler

Mine did the same thing until the belt broke. I put a replacement belt on and it broke also. The rubber O-Ring belt was dry rotted and inadequate. I went to our Harbor Freight Store and they gave me a new belt - Surprise! It was a different design. It is built like a fan belt rather than an o-ring.

I have heard they have had problems with the belts. Replacement belts are a
$1.99 and are of a different design.

Adjusting the belt is a interesting endeavor. It takes an offset screwdriver and little fingers. You have to take the top and bottom covers off. To just replace the belt just requires taking the bottom off and no tools. Adjust too much and the little fan hits the side. test before you turn on.

TE
 

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Lots of Harbor Freight stuff smells like that. It's the smell of China. I bought a sand blast cabinet and the rubber glove smell rubs of on my arms/hands. Good way to quit smoking and eating.
 

I called Harbor Freight Customer service dept and they told me that a few complaints have come in concerning the foul odor of these rubber drums. They will be looking into the problem.

Gave me a reference number and said I should hear something in about a week or so.

Bout all that can be done for now. At least they are aware of the problem.

Ray S.
 

This site and you guys continue to blow my mind!! I swear... I JUST bout the same tumbler last night and opened it up about 15 minutes ago. I log into this site to check things out and you are all talking about the very same thing! I was at Harbor Freight last night and bout the tumbler, along with a remote control airplane, rubber gloves and items to make an electrolysis thing to try and clean my items. Wow. As I keep saying.... the longer i am on this site.... the more I like it! On the subject of tumblers.... I have never used one. I guess I need to buy the grit or whatever it is to put inside of it? I read that you must keep the tumbler on for weeks at a time. Is that correct? I have a creek near me that has some great rocks and that is why I thought of the tumbler. I hope it is as cool as it seems to be.
 

I got this from someone else but can't remember who. I have followed the following instructions and they work.

Buy aquarium gravel from Walmart or pet store.

1. Fill stinking rubber tumbler 1/2 full with gravel.
2. Fill 8 ounce cup with coins and put coins in tumbler with gravel.
3. Fill tumbler with enough water to cover coins and gravel by 1/4".
4. Put in tablespoon of dishwasher soap.
5. Run for 4-12 hours depending on how bad the coins are.
6. Dump coins and gravel out into strainer, wash under water.
7. Pick out coins, save the gravel and use again until rounded off.

You will be amazed at how nice they come out. Word of caution though. Don't do this to valuable coins.

If you find something better let us know but this seems to work better over all the other things I tried.

TE
 

Man alive!!! You all aren't kidding. I just opened my Chicago Dual Drum Tumbler for the first time tonight and the smell about poked my eyes out and singed my nose! I too have emailed the company. I will monitor this thread and post if I discover anything.

Thanks,
Baldingboy
 

Thanks, BB.

Ray, it seems like you have hit upon a topic that nobody has dared mention before. Question is....is this something new? Or, is it something that nobody has spoken up about before now? Whatever the case, I'm glad you mentioned this before some of us got our tumblers.

All, would appreciate any info that these companies respond to you with. This seems to be a wide-spread problem.

Thanks, Ray, for bringing this to our attention. Now let's see what the companies are going to say & do.
---Mel

borninok
 

borninok said:
Thanks, BB.

Ray, it seems like you have hit upon a topic that nobody has dared mention before. Question is....is this something new? Or, is it something that nobody has spoken up about before now? Whatever the case, I'm glad you mentioned this before some of us got our tumblers.

All, would appreciate any info that these companies respond to you with. This seems to be a wide-spread problem.

Thanks, Ray, for bringing this to our attention. Now let's see what the companies are going to say & do.
---Mel

borninok
Click to expand...

Hi borninok,

It would appear that this is a wide spread problem. I did attempt to do a follow up with the Harbor Freight Customer Service Dept. but they are only open from 08:30 to 4 pm Monday to Friday Eastern Time. Will have to attempt again on Monday.

You can call and speak to a Customer Service Representative Monday-Friday 8:00 - 4:30 EST at 1-800-444-3353 (toll free).

Will let you know if anything come of it.

Ray S.
 

Probably Chinese rubber....I've got the double barrell and it stink's like no tommorrow!!
 

I accidentally spilled gasoline on my vinyl floor mat inside my car. Later, I removed the liquid and poured some red cider vinegar and clean the area. The Red Cider Vinegar took care of the smell. Hope this helps. RuffandTuff
 

RuffandTuff said:
I accidentally spilled gasoline on my vinyl floor mat inside my car. Later, I removed the liquid and poured some red cider vinegar and clean the area. The Red Cider Vinegar took care of the smell. Hope this helps. RuffandTuff
Click to expand...

I will give it a try. Have had the two smelly barrels outside since I purchased the twin barrel unit before Christmas. Airing them out. LOL The smell has gone down a bit but not gone. Will hit them with vinegar tomorrow. Thanks for the tip.

Ray S
 

Daydream said:
I got this from someone else but can't remember who. I have followed the following instructions and they work.

Buy aquarium gravel from Walmart or pet store.

1. Fill stinking rubber tumbler 1/2 full with gravel.
2. Fill 8 ounce cup with coins and put coins in tumbler with gravel.
3. Fill tumbler with enough water to cover coins and gravel by 1/4".
4. Put in tablespoon of dishwasher soap.
5. Run for 4-12 hours depending on how bad the coins are.
6. Dump coins and gravel out into strainer, wash under water.
7. Pick out coins, save the gravel and use again until rounded off.

You will be amazed at how nice they come out. Word of caution though. Don't do this to valuable coins.

If you find something better let us know but this seems to work better over all the other things I tried.

TE
Click to expand...
Daydream you are wasting your soap. About 1/2 teaspoon is all that is needed for a single barrel tumbler. Cleans very well with just a little soap. I sure am glad I bought a used Lortone from someone on the forum. Best decision I ever made. No stink and works like brand new. Good belt also.

Cal
 

Thanks Farmercal,

I now use less soap. The stink is about gone from my tumbler and the new style belt seems to be working well. Hey, for $22.95, the HF tumbler is doing fine. The stink is still inside the tumbler but I am airing it out and that is going away too.

It sounds like you got a good deal on your Lortone. I don't want to spend a bunch of money just to clean up clad. What I have in it is probably too much at $23 but it is fun to do. Except for a few guys like Crackbadger and the others, most of us are lucky to get what we have in our equipment back and gas money to get us to where we search.
 

I called HF to find out if the had a reply to my complint about the stinky tumbler barrels. They said the it will go away in time, but did not specify how much time. They also suggested filling the tumblers with baking soda to absorb the odor.

That is the end of that story.

I will keep the tumblers banished to the great outdoors till the smell is tolerable.

May be by the end of 2008 when I am ready to clean my clad the smell will be gone. ;D

HH
Ray S
 

Ray, thanks for the try. Sounds like the typical "bug off" response....that's sad that they don't care more about their customer relationship than this. Suggestion: Write a letter to them, detail each event and call....and the "bug off" response. And close it out by just saying that if this is all the effort they intend to give in helping customers, then you will spread the word. You might get a better response....hmmmm?
Just a thought.
---Mel

borninok
 

borninok said:
Ray, thanks for the try. Sounds like the typical "bug off" response....that's sad that they don't care more about their customer relationship than this. Suggestion: Write a letter to them, detail each event and call....and the "bug off" response. And close it out by just saying that if this is all the effort they intend to give in helping customers, then you will spread the word. You might get a better response....hmmmm?
Just a thought.
---Mel

borninok
Click to expand...

borninok,


I suppose that their (HF) technical department must have been overwhelmed with the question of how to de-stink the rock tumblers. They gave it their best shot. I will not lose any sleep over it. LOL I have Lortone tumblers that work fine on the HF rig. Guess you get what you pay for.

Will check the smell-o-meter this weekend to see how the tumblers are coming along. We had a big rainstom last night with a lot of wind, I might have to go hunting for the two tumblers. LOL Hope they did not get blown away.

I suppose 'in time' the smell-o-meter will tell me that the tumblers have lost their offensive odor and can come back inside, but till that happens they will remain in the great outdoors.

Thanks for all you replies to my post. It is much appreciated.

HH
Ray S
 

Hi guys just a thought has anyone tried the sealer they use to seal in suet and grime from a fire when repainting after a house fire. I remember when I was a young lad helping to restore burnt homes that this sealed in the fire smell really well that or maybe cement sealer. Just a thought do not know if it would work. HH Ted
 

thadious said:
Hi guys just a thought has anyone tried the sealer they use to seal in suet and grime from a fire when repainting after a house fire. I remember when I was a young lad helping to restore burnt homes that this sealed in the fire smell really well that or maybe cement sealer. Just a thought do not know if it would work. HH Ted
Click to expand...

That's why I suggested shellac.
 

I bought the same single barrel tumbler from Harbor Freight and yes the drum does stink. I'm just going to learn to live with it. As far as the belt goes, I wonder if a vaccuum cleaner belt would work as a replacement. They look close and you can buy diiferent sizes of vaccuum belts plus I think you can make slight adjustments to the belt tension. I'll give it a try next time I need a belt and post if it works or not.
 

Baldingboy said:
Man alive!!! You all aren't kidding. I just opened my Chicago Dual Drum Tumbler for the first time tonight and the smell about poked my eyes out and singed my nose! I too have emailed the company. I will monitor this thread and post if I discover anything.

Thanks,
Baldingboy
Click to expand...

I got the same bug off response. I am not giving up though. Details following............
 

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