Central Machinery Rock Tumbler - review

[@edclaytor1873]

an additional improvement over the discontinued Chiago Electric in that old model the sleeves were plastic and the new ones are metal/ maybe brass. Also the cover you took of is a heat shield yes it will get hot. Set a fan behind it to blowing across the top and it will stay cooler still warm but not hot I ran mine, first load in a outside shed temperature average 95+ during the day. With the fan it never got hot.

[@TheRuralMinnesotaGuy]

Ah! They had the old model, which was the display as a open box for $20, but I bought the new one instead.

[@user-xu4ed5tq1l]

Great extra information. Thank you. I hope you will post an update once you tumble some rocks.

[@TheRuralMinnesotaGuy]

Will do! We been out collecting rocks around our property.

[@jarodsown2596]

I bought 2 and have had them running for 6 weeks now and they’re still going strong! I did the same and took the motor covers off immediately. The motors do get hot. During hotter days I did have a fan blowing on them. Next I’m going to look and see if I can replace the bushings with bearings.

[@TheRuralMinnesotaGuy]

Nice! I still have not used mine yet and just got the grit. Just have to gather some rocks to get it going.

[@createdbycathy]

Watching this before I use mine for the first time. I will put a small fan beside the motor to blow against it and run it inside the garage. Temperature is cold currently and shouldn't be any trouble for a fan to do a good job keeping the motor cool. I will ask my husband about changing the bearings. Definitely want this to last for years and not quickly wear out. I am wondering if should have it on a timer so it can have intervals where the motor cools off all the way before it continues run cycles. Just a thought.

[@TheRuralMinnesotaGuy]

@@createdbycathy all you need to do is keep it cool. Talked to people who have ran this for 5 weeks non-stop. I never used an external fan, but it is around 10 degrees here in Minnesota currently. Taking the cover off is all you need if you don’t have cats 😉

[@createdbycathy]

@@TheRuralMinnesotaGuy My cat passed away in 2024 so just have my huge Cane Corso. He won't be able to get to it in the garage. I am thinking now that just covering off the motor will suffice and will have my husband check the belt to ensure it is not too tight. I ordered from Amazon the felt pads and some 3 to 1 oil which should be here tomorrow. Have rocks set out tonight to do a quick cleaning in Muriatic acid. Agates that I found in Utah and they have some white caked stuff on them. Figuring if I can remove some of that coating before I tumble them it will be faster for them to shape up in the tumbler.

[@michalarowe4792]

Hello, I have a question. I had just bought one of these. Only one of the rods rotate, is that normal?

[@TheRuralMinnesotaGuy]

Yep! That is normal!

[@ooyginyardel4835]

Get some grit for it!

[@TheRuralMinnesotaGuy]

I just bought some and have another video on it. I just need to get some gather some rocks, then I will put up another video

[@AEON.]

Those motors are the same motors bathroom vent fans use. They have near zero torque - they are garbage. So the rollers do they sit in bushings or roller bearings? If bushings - replace the bushings (copper or the like tubes with no bearings) If you don't upgrade that motor, put a fan on it from a computer or something at the very least.

[@TheRuralMinnesotaGuy]

Ya! I hear ya! This brand is Harbor Freight’s bottom line. I heard keeping it cool is the key?