How a Vibratory Tumbler Should Run - Tumbler Bearing Replacement Follow-Up

[@joell439]

“One guy was negative…… he’s gone”. Awesome 👏 Life is way too short to put up with pure negativity.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Another one just today. Told me I was stupid for fixing the tumbler when my business is failing. I actually have work for this, that is why I am fixing it. He could not understand the concept. Can't fix stupid, but you can ban them.

[@StuartsShed]

Banning them is more fun than fixing them anyway.

[@RalfyCustoms]

Couldn't agree more, too many people on the planet to suffer negativity

[@BrucePierson]

@@TopperMachineLLC Some people just have no idea. That tumbler is sure to get a lot of use, so it was definitely worth fixing it. And your business certainly is not failing, it's suffering from a lack of jobs coming in which is beyond your control. For a business to fail, it means the owner did something wrong, which is not the case here. You can't help it if the economy has gone downhill.

[@gorak9000]

Yeah, that's a very mature and healthy attitude - if people don't agree with you, ban them. There couldn't ever possibly be valid criticism or different points of view

[@TheUncleRuckus]

Wow, that's a night and day difference in sound! That should certainly make operation a lot more enjoyable. 👍👍

[@kimazbell460]

That sounds so much better, Josh. In a former life I worked in a bearing factory that used a lot of those vibratory things to dry and polish the rolls as they came off the finishing grind. Yours now sounds just like my memory of those from years ago.

[@rickmartinson5252]

Glad you got it fixed. Very gratifying to replace those noisy bearings after dismantling and re-assembling anything. Perfect

[@kooldoozer]

Josh- I only use an impact for lug nuts. Hand wrenches for everything else. I like to feel things getting tight to gauge how tight I am actually getting them. One job I was doing, was using a 3 jaw puller, taking the pulley off my Colchester lathe motor. It was rusted to the shaft. I was trying to maintain a just barely red heat with the oxy-ace torch, and wrenching on the puller screw in between heating cycles. Well, I was getting the pulley to move only about 1/8" each time before getting too tight to turn. Then I had to apply heat again. I only thought after I got the pulley off (and well over an hour of heating and wrenching on the puller) that maybe I should have used the impact wrench on the puller to save time and acetylene. I did not want to damage the very fine threads on the puller screw, but maybe the time and less heat input savings would have been worth it. ----Doozer

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I never use an impact on pullers. Sure way to destroy something you don't want destroyed.

[@bcbloc02]

@@TopperMachineLLC But if you use a weak impact it could save it. I sometimes do that because the vibration helps and it is the easy way to prevent that tendency to think if I give it just a half twist more I think it will come loose. Most of us have had those half twists and half the time they are broken parts rather than coming loose.

[@BrucePierson]

I was waiting to hear you say "Get out in your shop and get done right the first time". Great to hear you saying that again, as it's an encouragement to others to get things done.

[@edsmachine93]

Day and night difference Josh. Very quiet. Nice job. 👍

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

That sounds good now . 👍

[@mrricky3816]

Thanks!

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Thank you.

[@tonyn3123]

Excellent change after the bottom bearing replacement. If it was me, I would still consider a small enclosure for it to further quieting in the shop. Thanks.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

It will most likely live outside when running. That's why it has the nice new forkable base.

[@scottthomas5999]

Wow!! What a difference. Nice job.

[@slicedbread9003]

Josh, congratulations on your new tumbler. We have a timer on the one in our shop that I built. We ended up adding a pause button so that we can check on the progress of the parts. You probably don't need, it but I think I can send you a schematic if you would like it. It's a simple circuit though. The pause button is just an interrupter from the output. The timer keeps going.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

If you have a schematic, I'd sure like to see it. I'm sure I could come up with some simple interrupt.

[@slicedbread9003]

@@TopperMachineLLC Ok, how do I send it to you? Can you view a dwg file? Would you prefer an image? Can I attach it to a reply?

[@TopperMachineLLC]

a PDF is always best. Email link on about page. Thanks

[@slicedbread9003]

@@TopperMachineLLC I'll get it to you on Monday when I am back at work.

[@Cricket-lw6br]

Much Much better Josh.

[@bullfrogmachine]

Definitely a bearing disassembly for sure🤞 keep them greased and they will last you a long time 👍

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Too much grease in these will ruin them also. Just a couple shots a few times a year.

[@Hyratel]

@@TopperMachineLLC definitely: bearing elements need room to spin, and if they have seals, overgreasing could blow those out. most people seem more familiar with the greasing method of Hard Pivots needing to have the old grease displaced out, and they wrongly apply that to sealed bearings .... to detrimental effect. Bearings need to be *charged* with grease, not *buried* in it

[@mikep1085]

HONEY! 🍯 I received the honey that I ordered from your website a few days ago! Its VERY GOOD! 😃😀😛

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MachiningandMicrowaves]

Hi Josh, nice work! That's a serious reduction of noise! When I make stuff that needs to be REALLY secure, I use Nord-Lock washers, or Aerotight all-metal locknuts, or Schnorr anti-vibration lockwashers (they are domed like a Belleville washer, but with hard teeth), and sometimes wired nuts. Those split spring washers are hopeless as locknuts. I never use Nyloc nuts either. As several commenters said, they are really only there to help reduce the shock loading and bolt stretch caused by air-wrench thugs applying shock loads. I throw them into the chip bins where they belong! They have one benefit. They are cheap.

[@lyndencroker5257]

Was thinking Norlock washers when he was instaling the bolts into the bearing, very good at stopping bolts from loosening, especially on clean flat machine surfaces, star washers and normal spring washers belong in the bin.

[@BrucePierson]

It's really good that you are able to make items for sale on your web site. Who knows where that will go. You might end up having a huge catalogue of all sorts of accessories for sale. I hope it goes well and ends up a thriving business venture.

[@alanm3438]

I am glad that you bought two bearings. It is a good thing that you checked the bottom bearing. I would have never caught it. I would have just thought it was a noisy machine by nature. As always, you did a great job on the video and the project. What a great fix!!!!

[@kd5byb]

Nice! What a difference. Got the honey, mug, and stickers today. The honey is AMAZING! Best honey I've ever had.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Great. Glad you like it. You're tasting the Northwoods goodness. No chemicals.

[@Crusher9mil]

Amazingly quiet now 👍🏻👍🏻. It's crazy how sound from bearings can travel thru equipment and resonate somewhere else convincing a person yup it's this not that.

[@ericperreault5911]

I ordered s couple of things I hope it helps keep the lights on till you get more work... I am here in Maine and it isn't much better here. If I have some work I can send your way I will.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Thanks for the order. Hoping things get better too.

[@Tumbleweed_Tx]

look at it like this - you have an almost brand new machine for a fraction of the cost of a new one. It's a win.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

It is definitely a win, for sure.

[@charleslund453]

Chasing bearing problems have always been fun. I like the way you search for the cure. Throw enough money at any problem and it goes away.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

At least it was only 2 bearings, and they are both good now.

[@phlodel]

I changed bearings like that on a shaker in a manufacturing plant. It made the machine so quiet, the operators complained that it was too quiet!

[@chrissmith513]

Definitely makes a big difference 😊😊😊

[@curtisroberts9137]

That's crazy how much improved the noise is. I really would have thought they were much more inherently noisy. Nice work.

[@grahamheath3799]

really made a difference!

[@markkirchoff7356]

The lip balm is awesome!

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Glad you like it.

[@mfc4591]

The way sound transfers often confuses things, and bearings normally wear out all at the same time, so I am glad you had the wisdom to buy two bearings and replace them both. Those roller self aligning bearings are an expensive item, I hope yours will last ...and should do with the lube they will get.

[@907jl]

Great repair Josh. That is way quieter that I'd expect one of those things would be!👍

[@nobuckle40]

Keep on keepin' on Josh. Glad to see that the tumbler is working better for you.

[@daftDAFdriver]

That is some difference in noise level 👍

[@markblack9987]

Great Job. Sounds good

[@jrmintz1]

Wow, what a difference!

[@JohnChrysostom101]

Wow it's super quiet now!

[@78jog89]

Huge difference. Thanks for the update.

[@PhotoArtBrussels]

Hat is looking sharp! Thanks for the video Josh.

[@alandawson2813]

Awesome job Josh

[@redheadsteelworks]

Nice and smooth!

[@johnmcdyer1573]

What a difference wow great job josh😊

[@chuckmayerchak3071]

I enjoyed both videos, it was amazing how well the mic picked up the lower bearing noise. It's also amazing how I w quiete it is now. I pray your work load picks up! Hopefully business in general will improve with the new government loosening some of the regulations!

[@CharlesMeyer-x8h]

Great idea doing a review follow up for vids - I think you are the only person doing that Unique is good Don't wear ball caps either but Honey I might just buy some.

[@user-oi8tg3dq7t]

Greetings Mr. Josh from the oldest town in Texas, Nacogdoches. Another nice video. Hope you’re keeping warm.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

It is cold out!

[@greglaroche1753]

Good that you changed the bottom bearing. You did the job right, the first time! Thanks for the video.

[@scottfarnham2717]

Sounds a lot better,Josh!! Very satisfying isn't it. Well done!

[@missamo80]

Wow, what a difference! Sounds so good now.

[@eyuptony]

I don't use impact guns either. Good move removing the flat washers, I'm no expert but I knew that was defeating the objective. Runs great now, nice and quiet. Pleased for you....Tony

[@VetSemperFi]

Now that you have all this bearing experience, we have a washer that sounds like the old tumbler... be sure to bring Rocky to supervise! :)

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Probably be cheaper to sell the house and move up here. Lol

[@VetSemperFi]

@@TopperMachineLLC Maybe we will once I get a 'bearing' fix! lol

[@TopperMachineLLC]

@VetSemperFi sell the whole place. Dryer and all.

[@dankotos61]

Wow that sounds amazing now. Good job. I'm probably going to order one of those hats. And no snow yet huh

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Just got our first snow, need to pack it down so I don't pick up gravel with the blower. But, the way things are looking, it will all be melted by end of next week.

[@TWilliam-ft8xi]

Great update. Can’t wait to see you tumble the soft jaws.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

They are actually hard. And it's coming.

[@paulhunt598]

Looks like a Sweco. We ran a vibratory solution with a metering dispenser. Too long ago to remember the maker. We had 2 machines, one was larger than yours and one significantly smaller. Our big machine ran essentially nonstop for about 30 years, and the most significant machine repair that I had to do was rebuild the counterweight system. The proportioning solution dispenser required much more frequent servicing.

[@earljtharp]

I was completely unaware of the lock washer thing. I thought about it and now realize I’ve been doing it wrong for years. Haha. Who says you cant teach an old dig new tricks?

[@kentuckytrapper780]

Major difference 😮..

[@markschweter6371]

This is the first rotary/orbital vibrating tumbler I had seen, interesting. Most of the rotary/orbital vibrating equipment I've used were of the SWECO type with the motor and top/bottom weights located under the mill/screen/drum/pan. Also used a few with vibrating motors attached to various points that had top/bottom weights enclosed, usually at opposite corners of the frame, screener/corkcscrew elevator.

[@robertfish6617]

Like you say……… glad ya did them both. Love your channel.

[@frankerceg4349]

Thank you Josh!

[@PhilG999]

I was thinking about the flat washers under the lock washers too! Something ELSE I thought about from my time in the bearing business was that you could probably get new bearings, put them in the old housings, and save some bucks that way. Those spherical roller bearings themselves are a pretty standard item. The housings probably aren't, and that's why the complete bearing assemblies are so expensive. AND I'm going to steal your idea for pins in the vice jaws (if you don't mind). I don't have a milling machine (wish I did) but I have a Harbor Freight Chinesium two-axis vice on my Craftsman table-top drill press and a spare set of jaws. I'm going to drill them and get pins for them. Probably use smaller diameter pins and all I'll have to buy is the pins and a reamer (which I should have a set of anyway)...

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Considering I bought NOS for a third of new, it was gar better. The just the bearing would have only saved about $100 off the $680 bearing. Not worth the extra time and hassle.

[@ericsandberg3167]

What I'd like to buy is a large format chart that has Tap and drill sizes for SAE and metric along with all the fractional sizes as well as number and letter drill sizes...all in one large format chart.

[@TalRohan]

Sounds amazing now Josh, what a difference..Its great when you realise that you were right to think hmmm lets change that ....well worth the work, and those bearings are something else, Ive never seen bearings that complex before thanks for sharing

[@ddblairco]

thank you

[@seldendaniel8819]

Nice work! I received my purchase quickly, my tool box looks cool with your sticker, and the honey is great, better than what I get at the grocer. Anchor lube and more honey is on its way.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Thank you for the support. Glad you like the honey, we go through a lot of it. Sucks when we are traveling and don't have our own with. Nothing else out there tastes right.

[@davidaarons2488]

Sounds great now Josh. Aren't ya glad ya got 2 of them, the old bottom bearing would have wiped out the new one.

[@timothyharmon2235]

Another good video. Bearing noise can be annoying and sometimes hard to diagnose, I had a noisy bearing in the mower deck drive line on my lawn mower last summer that was so loud and noisy even with ear protection it was terrible. long story short it was a brand new idler that was quiet and smooth when turned manually but it turned out to be magnetic, when turned just right it will hold its own weight to the bottom of my steel table. After that I check each bearing I use for this problem.

[@Hyratel]

it was turning into an Induction Brake? that had to be a hell of a "W T F?" moment

[@ralphaverill2001]

Good video, thanks. I agree, that impact drivers can get you into trouble, especially working on older machinery where breaking off a rusted bolt can happen, causing bad words to be said.

[@morgansword]

I am seventy five, and called myself a mechanic. I did this most of all my life and did not think about the fact a flat washer under a lock washer negated the effect of what a lock washer is supposed to do. I mean it made perfect sense when you said that and I should of known it as well... Never to old to learn something

[@TheWrena440]

good work

[@larryspetoskey]

Good job!

[@Edward-p4y7w]

Great videos you always have. Hopefully the business climate in this great country will change soon and you’ll be covered up 👍

[@jamesbonnema1041]

I just put bearings in the phas gen motor. Could not feell anything wrong with either one, but sure is quiet now!

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Funny how they can seem good, but aren't.

[@dl2122d]

nice job sounds good.

[@richb1334]

A long time ago when I worked in machine shops we had tumblers And they were very quiet just like yours. opened up the bearing and show us what the damage was inside the housing.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I am sure it is just worn out. I kept them to dissect for a future video.

[@Josh-q3l4m]

Great video. I watch everyone you post. I have a question about the lock washer. I grew up thinking that the design of the lock washer was to “bite” into the material. I am now a maintenance technician at a manufacturing facility. I quickly noticed that every bolt on every manufacturing equipment has a lock washer with a flat washer. I too thought that this would negate the design of the lock washer biting into the material. An old timer explained to me that the design of the lock washer is not to bite in, but actually to provide spring tension to the threads of the bolt. I have always contemplated this. Let me know your thoughts.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

That's a good concept. I'm honestly not sure about it.

[@oldadthomas]

WOW the difference.

[@joeromanak8797]

The good news is, you solved the noise problem in the best way possible. The bad news is, now Matt wants it back. Great job! Show us something with a high polish. I’ve got this box of wrenches that sat out in the rain for a few years and I was wondering … 🥸👍👀👋✅

[@paulsullivan6392]

Holy smokes what a difference.

[@argee55]

Amazing what a new set of bearings can do for you.

[@jamesadams893]

Very good video , it was a pleasure watching you change out the lower bearing what with all your closeups of you removing it and replacing it.

[@mongoose388]

I 've never heard that about not putting flat washers under lockwashers.Bolting and torquing training I got put flat washers under lockwashers, assuming you have the helical lockwashers fully compressed. Belleville washers are another story

[@adeeponionbrah]

What an interesting device. I am surprised the tank does not perforate from the abrasion. I love bees wax!

[@TopperMachineLLC]

It's very thick and lasts a long time.

[@grege2383]

Another good video. I'm curious if/how you would price out jobs for the vibrator.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

It depends on the size of the parts and how much time it would take.

[@ssboot5663]

All positive on the content from me!

[@rlsimpso]

It does not compare in size, but i had a similar experience with bearings failing in a bench top tumbler. I had to wear ear plugs until I replaced the original bearings when they failed. The new ones are so quite. I just assumed it was supposed to be loud.

[@greenshortscouk]

Sounds a lot better, great job :) it maybe an illusion but at 2:27 it looks like a washer is spinning :)

[@ypaulbrown]

Outstanding Josh !

[@hobbiesrus]

Nice work! I remember in Abom79's Starrett shop tour seeing those vibratory tumblers all over the place there.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

They had a whole building of them. Amazing how much these can polish

[@bernardwill7196]

First. Long enough waiting for that 🙂. Hope the Tumbler , but I see this will be better than new.

[@bangprints8816]

That Anchorlube is great if you like a seriously less smokey machine shop 💯

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Absolutely. I breathe so much better having switched.

[@Hyratel]

@@TopperMachineLLC I've been recommending Anchor Lube (when pertinent) to other Workshop YT channels and ref back to your channel, so hopefully some of that turns into sales.

[@ElmerJFudd-oi9kj]

Hi Josh, what a difference in sound with the new bottom baring, i've never sen barings of that kind before, very interesting. Last episode I remember wondering about you putting the lock washer atop a normal washer cuz I knew you wound never do that, it makes no sence and I got puzzled. Take care my friend and have it good. Chris.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I don't know why I didn't catch that right away. Just how I took it apart, someone else used a washer.

[@BrucePierson]

@@TopperMachineLLC Shake-proof washers might be better in this application?

[@carlbyington5185]

Very cool... looks like your counter balance, has a counter balance. If I saw the pic correctly.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Additional weight can be bolted on.

[@mikemcnally4327]

just wanted to say about the washer with the lock washer thing. where in my area i work that is the most common way to use the lock washer on top of a regular washer. i cant win that argument at all. no matter what i show them for reference i dont like using lock washers either i have seen them from time to time break and well then the part is really loose. and wow that is so quiet compared to others i have hear dang now i want on lol

[@johnwilleford7715]

Did not know that about the flat washer/ lock washer deal. I have always done the flat washer/ lock washer set up because lock washers tend to leave gouges in the metal it's up against. So I thought better a flat washer being gouged than original metal of what you are working on.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

The gouge of the lock washer is what locks it.

[@johnwilleford7715]

@TopperMachineLLC Did not know. Thought it was compressing the offset ends to a flat.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

@@johnwilleford7715 it does until it gets loosened. Then it digs in so it can't turn.

[@donteeple6124]

Hi Josh, Excellent job, an amazing change in the sound and probably actually works 10X better. Wondering if placing the unit on thick rubber/urethane pads would even quiet it more, even tho it runs on a series of springs. It probably couldn't hurt. Been wishing I had your snowblower here to ward off the weather.....27 in on the ground, as of this morning and 5-6 ft snowbanks lining the driveway.....ughhhhhhh.....At least in this weather no mosquitos or blackflies. LOL... Don

[@TopperMachineLLC]

it is on rubber pads. You must have missed that when I built the base. We just got 5 inches, but it will be gone by the end of next week. I was hoping it would stay so I could have my base, but 40s next week. Oh well. Snow blower is still doing great work.

[@petercorinallen]

Sir, I don't know if you have already but if you put rubber pads on the bottom of the feet, that will absorb any disturbance between the machine vibration and the floor. Kind regards

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Go back and watch the video of me building the base.

[@wyrdlg]

Man your videos are great. Talking about comments, what is right and wrong! Away with the trolls! :D

[@Hyratel]

the only impact I've ever wanted seriously was one of those eggbeaters and that retroactively 20 years ago when I was yanking on a stuck lug in a hot parking lot. gave the star wrench a quarter twist in one of the arms that day. (I reccomend Torque Test Channel's video on the eggbeaters; those things are built so cheap but oh my god, the breakaway torque is crazy)

[@mr_mcgoo2632]

" One guy was negative , so he is gone " LOL.

[@BrucePierson]

We can't buy 2 x 4 or any other imperial size lumber here in Australia, it's all metric. So a 2 x 4 is I think 45mm x 90mm, which is 1 49/64" x 3 35/64″. I still have a few pieces of old imperial lumber before Australia went metric many decades ago. The other thing is that almost all the lumber available is now pine. It's very hard to get hardwood these days.

[@2xKTfc]

The tumbler sounds like it only just fell out the factory! :)

[@ypaulbrown]

Josh, hats will help keep the glare off your glasses…and reduce headaches, especially under fluorescent lights , which come on and off 60 times a second…and outdoors they help even more….and you look kool in your Topper Machine hat…..

[@TopperMachineLLC]

No fluorescent lights in this shop. All LED. I don't wear hats because I still have all my hair. My brother wears hats, and he looks like uncle fester.

[@ypaulbrown]

​@@TopperMachineLLCheredity sometimes causes hair loss, my dad always said, if you want to save your hair, get a cigar box...it worked for me