Chicago Electric (Harbor Freight) Rock Tumbler Bearing Replacement

In this video I go over motor bearing replacement on a Chicago Electric (Harbor Freight) rock tumbler. I show how to disassemble, select parts, reassemble, and test the tumbler. Thanks for watching!

[@micheleslaughter1324]

My Leegol tumbler which is just like the C.E. was loudly humming and wouldn'tturn. Watched your video, ordered the exact size bearing you mentioned and followed your instructions. Works better and quieter than new! I'm a 50 y.o. woman who has never worked on a small engine and had no problem following your instructions. Thanks for the heads up about taking pictures too! Really, can't thank you enough! Excellent tutorial!😊

[@jakefrisbie9905]

I'm glad it helped you!

[@natashacatania]

Great video. I could not figure out where my green wire went because it’s hard to see until the screws are out, this helped me soo much! Also now I know I need bearings badly! Thank you!

[@LouinVB]

I own both a single barrel & a two barrel Harbor Freight tumblers. The dual barrel has the black plastic bearing retainer brackets, the single barrel has the metal retainer brackets.

[@M29WeaselDriver]

Excellent video. I’m going to get bearings when I get one of those just to have spares.

[@jakefrisbie9905]

That's not a bad idea. Mine's been running good since the replacement. Thanks for watching!

[@swmi.rock.picker]

With ALL of my might I could NOT get those motor screws loose to get at the bearings! So disappointed! Debating if I spend $40-ish dollars on the replacement (and return the bearings) or just get a whole new one. I JUST bought the hi tech Diamond 6” saw soo my account hates me either way. Bravo on your video though, it was REALLY good!

[@jakefrisbie9905]

Your local auto parts store may rent a tool called an impact screwdriver that'll do the trick. Thanks for the compliment on the video, I appreciate it!

[@bradf3031]

Thanks good video..my bearings measure 6x19x6

[@jakefrisbie9905]

Thanks for watching!

[@okthen4820]

do you still have the bearings for the single barrel tumbler>?

[@robertwwp]

Has anyone thought about putting a thermo overload switch on these things? Some folks say they lock up and get extremely hot. If you were to put one on, where would be the best place? On top of the cooling plates? On the cooling fin by the switch?

[@jakefrisbie9905]

I'm not sure on the switch honestly. It does get hotter than my lortone by a little. To battle that I simply run it with the top plate off, and then it actually runs the same or a little cooler than my lortone.

[@dreamlookautodetailingauto3353]

You know what... I ended up removing the cooling plate to allow the motor to cool more. I also have a portable 3-inch fan aimed at the motor to give it extra cooling. Never gets hot. I run this 24 hrs a day every day for weeks at a time. I tumble rocks.

[@jsemaj8451]

My motor has sound, but will not turn freely, I can turn it by hand, could I have a bad bearing? Where can I get replacement parts?

[@jakefrisbie9905]

Yeah, mine still turned, but the bearings were noisy. I measured them with a pair of digital calipers, and searched amazon for bearings of the same size. I may even mention it in the video. I'd measure first to make sure you get the right size bearings.

[@artmakersworlds]

Well now.... My motor completely seized up today. Got it going by helping it spin but I think this is exactly what's going on. Bad bearings. Very cool, very fixable. Found a ten pack on ebay easy enough. (I won't TOUCH that anti american company amazon.) So thanks. I wonder now how many small motor items I trashed because at some point the motor gets gummy. Probably this same issue every time. Just bad bearings.

[@jakefrisbie9905]

Glad to pass on a little knowledge. I wondered the same thing after I did this lol.

[@outdoorsopa2640]

What was the bearing part number to order for the one barrel tumbler?

[@jakefrisbie9905]

I would have to try and look when I get home. I show it in the video, but my best suggestion is to pull yours apart and measure your bearings. China doesn't always use the same parts, and yours could be different. I had to order twice cause I just ordered the same ones someone else did the first time...

[@outdoorsopa2640]

@@jakefrisbie9905thanks for getting back to me. I disassembled mine. They are 626z. Thanks

[@bradbenes425]

Hi jake question I have the plastic bearings or what ever there called at the end of the shafts has anyone modified them so they will actually turn the barrels? Thanks for the video!

[@jakefrisbie9905]

Are you talking about the plastic bushings where the rollers go through the case, or the plastic barrel stops on the top on each end?

[@bradbenes425]

@@jakefrisbie9905 yes these turn for about 1 hour then it goes haywire I took one back already this one is doing the same my barrels aren’t even half full now and it is still junk I’m looking into bronze bushings if I can find some

[@jakefrisbie9905]

@@bradbenes425 if its the plastic roller bushings you're talking about, then it sounds like you need to oil them. You have to keep them lubricated. I re oil mine between batches. Use either 3 in 1 oil, sewing machine oil, or even a dab of 20 weight motor oil will work. Keep them well lubed and they'll roll good.

[@bradbenes425]

@@jakefrisbie9905 I put grease on them this time

[@Zeus-dw1cx]

Don't break the tiles on your table..Get some cardboard or plywood to work on,if you don't have a workbench.

[@curtwuollet2912]

The letter has to do with the seals. The z means no seals.