I've got one I've been using 24/7 for about a year and a half. I just took a 4th stage batch out yesterday. The only part I've replaced so far is the rubber seal on the lid. My little belt has been working this entire time. My first grit is 35/70. My last grit is micro aluminum. I've tumbled rocks the size of a softball in it. I do 10 day cycles for each stage mainly because I don't want to have to change it out every 7 days. I think the key to longevity of parts is to keep everything really clean. I blow out the motor and clean all the residue off the rails every ten days so that the rollers run smooth. I really love my tumbler. Right now I am kinda worried because I am tumbling raw Novaculite flint knapping spalls that have really sharp jagged edges. I hope that doesn't tear up my rubber lining. I've tumbled several pieces of Novaculite in other batches and those came out amazing. I've just never tumbled all Novaculite before so we'll see how it goes . Also I use lubricating oil in the bearings of rollers because I've found that water trapped between the rubber liner and the metal drum will leak out and quickly seep into the bearings and start rusting. I clean and oil those bearings every change out.
@@claybowser698 Your liner should be fine. I have only gotten damage from a jagged stone once, and that was because it got jammed up. Hope they tun out as cool as they sound.
actually you want a heavier grit for a big tumbler. I use straight 60 in mine because all that weight means the grit breaks down faster.
Good to know, thanks for the info! 👍
I've got one I've been using 24/7 for about a year and a half. I just took a 4th stage batch out yesterday. The only part I've replaced so far is the rubber seal on the lid. My little belt has been working this entire time. My first grit is 35/70. My last grit is micro aluminum. I've tumbled rocks the size of a softball in it. I do 10 day cycles for each stage mainly because I don't want to have to change it out every 7 days. I think the key to longevity of parts is to keep everything really clean. I blow out the motor and clean all the residue off the rails every ten days so that the rollers run smooth. I really love my tumbler. Right now I am kinda worried because I am tumbling raw Novaculite flint knapping spalls that have really sharp jagged edges. I hope that doesn't tear up my rubber lining. I've tumbled several pieces of Novaculite in other batches and those came out amazing. I've just never tumbled all Novaculite before so we'll see how it goes . Also I use lubricating oil in the bearings of rollers because I've found that water trapped between the rubber liner and the metal drum will leak out and quickly seep into the bearings and start rusting. I clean and oil those bearings every change out.
@@claybowser698 Your liner should be fine. I have only gotten damage from a jagged stone once, and that was because it got jammed up. Hope they tun out as cool as they sound.
@@djasteress6068 I sure hope they do too! My other Novaculite came out amazing. They make great palm stones. Everyone loves how they feel.