Thumler's Tumbler Model B Hi-speed belt -equivalent o-ring size

[AZ Pete]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-Carbon...RING/202061299

Well, after a couple of years, my Model B belt bit the dust while on its first run of SS pin tumbling. I bought the Home Depot o ring. It started slipping within a few minutes. i did find another substitute though. I have an '08 Tundra with 5.7 l engine. The oil filters from Toyota come with a new o ring. I keep one extra for grins. Just so happens it fits the Thumbler's Tumbler Model B. It's larger in cross section than the Home Depot o ring, and seems to be working for the time being. We'll see how it lasts. No risk since I get one every 5,000 miles, and the filter element with o ring is only $5.00

[Bayou52]

Hi, AZ Pete-

Thanks for posting to this thread. I started this thread back in Nov. 2013 to inform Thumlers Model B users that I was having issues with factory belts breaking too frequently but that I came upon a good and much cheaper alternative. That was the ethylene-propylene o-ring described above in my previous posts in this thread.

By way of status, I am still using the very first o-ring that I started out with. It has lasted well over a year ar now, and it is still working like a champ. Well worth the 80 cents it cost. I'm not sure how many tumbling sessions I have on this o-ring but it is clearly in the multiple dozens. Compare this with the factory belts breaking after only a couple of sessions (at $5-$6 a pop, at that).

So, based on my personal experience, I can confidently endorse this o-ring for the Thumlers Model B application.

Hope this is informative....

Bayou52

[AZ Pete]

Hey Bayou, I just got my order of "o" rings. Thanks for the tip.

[Bayou52]

Hey Bayou, I just got my order of "o" rings. Thanks for the tip.

Hi, AZ Pete-

I hope you have as much luck as I've had with those o-rings. The very first one is still working like a champ - going on nearly 1 1/2 years of regular use.

Happy Tumbling-

Bayou52

[BOONES]

Hello Bayou 52,
Are you still looking for a way to make your tumblers tumbler gear driven? I converted mine, more than happy with it.....
No more belts!!!!!!
That is the way to go!!
IT SURE RUNS GOOD NOW, NO BABY SITTING IT!

[Bayou52]

^^^^^ Hi, Boones -

Since I started using o-rings in the place of belts for my Thumlers, it's been several years now, and I'm still using my very first o-ring. So, I think that problem has been solved.

I would love to see a pic of your gear conversion job, though. Can you post one?

Thanks, Boones -

Bayou52

[William Yanda]

What department of Home Depot, I'm not familar with a filtration unit. I want something I can buy locally but home depot is a big place to wander around aimlessly looking for something I have no idea what it is or looks like. Do you have a home depot or manufacturer's product number ? would appreciate it.

Gary

Before you can find ANYTHING at HD you have to believe it is there.

[W.R.Buchanan]

I thought I had replied to this thread earlier.

I saw this when it first came out and promptly,,,

Wrote the O-Ring Dimensions on the box of my Tumbler for future reference.

Might be a good idea huh?

Randy

[Bayou52]

^^^^^ Outstanding idea, Randy!

Bayou52

[BOONES]

Hello all!
Soon to come chain driven kit for model b!
5 TONS W/GUNS

[BOONES]

Anybody interested please let us know!
Thank you for your time!
Blessing!

[BOONES]

Working on patent!

[Bayou52]

Anybody interested please let us know!
Thank you for your time!
Blessing!

I'm interested in checking it out. Any info would be appreciated -

Bayou52

[SgtDog0311]

Old thread but helpful nonetheless. Mine just failed after three years and had a batch to tumble so I could get them in the mail. Belt didn't break, just got so stretched it wouldn't grab. I used a large rubber band to under the belt and darned if it didn't hold out.

Appreciate tips for new belt. Didn't mind the cost of Thumblers but danged if I'll double it on shipping.

[gmsharps]

If you haven't found one yet send me a PM with shipping info and I'll send you one.

gmsharps

[Bayou52]

Hi, Guys -

The first o-ring I started using about 5 years ago finally needed replacing. It didn't break but just loosened up enough not to grab the pulley well. For me, the o-rings outlasted the factory belts by a long shot.

Bayou52

[lightman]

Many guys have used the correct size vacuum cleaner belt with good results. I used to get "O" rings from a hydraulic repair shop.

[William Yanda]

I worked at HD, opened store #1239 a few years back. As I recall, the rule is: You have to believe something is there before you can find it. I was a Hardware Associate-we had half the SKU's in the store.

[EDG]

I have read of the Thumbler's O ring issues in several forums for years.

I bought a Model A in about 1969 with a couple of spare belts.
I still have that tumbler and it still runs on the original belt. I lost the spares long ago.
I wonder why my belt has lasted so long?

[salpal48]

Go on " the Oring Store . navigate the site
you Need a 70 Buna 3/16" size scroll down until you find your size . you can buy By the dozen.
sal