pugdog
Novice
Apr 5, 2005, 2:31 AM
Post #2 of 2
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Re: [Carla] barrel replacement or liner?
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That's a tough one.
The barrels are not made to be repaired. Any "edge" or "seam" is a place for grit to start to work on it. Patches will wear out quickly. You might find some old inner tubing (the real stuff) and see if it can be glued in place. What glue, I wouldn't quite know, but something made for bonding rubber and/or tires. If it can't be applied smooth, bump-free, and with the seams welded down completely, it won't last long.
Any "hard" material will wear out quickly -- sometimes more quickly than you'd imagine. You need the give of rubber to withstand the action of the grit. People have made tumbler barrels out of all sorts of materials -- most with disasterous results. Only rubber can stand the test of time. But, once the rubber starts to wear, it wears quickly. Anywhere the grit can get a hold, it will, and the damage/wear will accelerate.
I have several lot-o-tumblers, and some barrels have several years of grind time on them, and the insides are just as smooth and "new" as when I got them. The outsides are showing signs of wear from where they sit in the harness.
I've seen some creative repairs on rotating tumbler barrels, but the design of those is quite different than for a vibratory tumbler.
Your best bet is to bite the bullet for a new barrel, or shop around for a used one. You might find some from people who's machine has worn out before their barrels.
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