Help my tumbler died!

[Patrick L]

My Ultra Vibe tumbler (vibratory, not a true tumbler), which I have had since the mid 80s, has stopped working. Just stopped. It worked fine the last time I used it, 2 or 3 days ago. Tonight I plugged it it, and nothing. Nothing at all.

I know next to nothing about motors, but I've heard that sometimes little, replaceable or repairable things just wear out. Is it brushes I'm thinking of?

Any takers?

[mtgrs737]

Check for a broken wire in the cord or where it attaches to the motor as they sometimes break inside the insulation due to the vibration. What makes me think that is the unit worked fine the last time you used it. You might check the motors bearings to see if they seized up or are free turnning, a drop of oil will often free them up if they are tight. Good luck!

I have one tumbler that has sent 4 little bitty motors to little bitty motor heaven, but they smelled like they burnt up too.

[Mumblypeg]

Patrick,
You're in luck. Is it made by Tru Square Metal Products? Ultra Vibe 10? that's what mine is. It died awhile back and not long I Googled Tru square proucts in Auburn Wa. got the number, don't remember what it is right now but called them and talked to one of the guys and they sent me a new motor with power cord and switch for less than fifty bucks. I know that's probably more than you paid for it to start with but much cheaper than they are now and it runs even better than original!

[Mumblypeg]

Ditto what mtgrs 737 said cause mine acted up before it DIED.

[44man]

Broken wires or just ran out of lube. Sometimes just taking the motor apart, cleaning and oiling it will fix it. They are simple motors without brushes and anyone can take them apart. Most have a felt under a plate with holes in it below the bushing the shaft goes through. Dripping oil into the holes to soak the felt again can fix the stuck motor.
Very rare for one to burn unless the windings lost coating and are touching internally. They are like a cheap fan that won't turn with dry bushings.
I have had hundreds of them apart and have yet to need a new one.
Even some of the little motors with sealed bearings made in China can sometimes be saved. I lift the seal out of one side and pack the bearing with thin grease, snap the seal back in and it is good to go. China must use 1 ounce of grease for 100,000 bearings! :mrgreen:

[DLCTEX]

The first thing I would check is the voltage to the motor. Is it getting to the motor? DALE

[44man]

999 times out of 1000 it will be a lack of oil.

[HeavyMetal]

The other thing to check is if the counter weight is loose. Mine hummed but didn't shake. Pulled the bottom off and the counter weight was sitting on it! put it back on with a new set screw and we were off and running.

Some times these little motors can be hard for shooters to hear!

[Patrick L]

FIXED IT!!!

Thank you for all your replies. Actually, the problem was at the other end of the wire. After I had gotten the darn thing all apart, and was sitting at my bench with just the motor trying to find something loose, broken, worn etc. I noticed that sticking out of the plug there was about 1/8 " of new shiny black wire and then my 20+ year old dirty, grimey wire. The plug was pulling off the cord!

Pushed it on real tight and plugged it in and the motor turned good as new. I'll cut the old plug off and replace it with a new one from the hardware store just to be safe. I wish I'd thought to check that first!

On the plus side, I blew 20 years worth of dust out of the motor, tightened everything real tight, and gained a tremendous amount of knowlege about how a tumbler comes apart and goes together.

[HeavyMetal]

I've always thought that if I learn something new everyday I've accomplished something.

Although I'm not sure I'd runout and put "Vibrator Specialist" on my business card!

[Ricochet]

Although I'm not sure I'd runout and put "Vibrator Specialist" on my business card!It'd probably get you some service calls.

[44man]

Wonderful! :drinks: I love to see anybody fix their own stuff before spending money.

[mold maker]

I hope while you had it apart you added a drop of oil to each brng. to avoid the next problem to happen. It's called preventive maintenance.

[buckbeans]

good deal
Mold Maker
what kind of oil would you recommend?

[44man]

Any good, light oil like Singer sewing machine oil. Even a good gun oil will work.

[tom barthel]

Mine is a different brand. When it quit working, I took it apart. Nothing to lose. I found a wire to the motor had broken. I spliced another piece of wire to it. It's been working great for about three years. If it isn't working, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by trying to fix it. If component parts cost as much as a replacement, get a new one with a warranty.
Good luck.

[Rustyleee]

Anoint it with 3 in 1 oil.

[tom barthel]

OOPS!!!
Sorry about that. I didn't read everything before offering a suggestion. You did pretty much what I thought of any way. Only you thought of it first. I'm glad you found and fixed the problem. I'm sure you will have many years of good service.
Tom

[DLCTEX]

A drop of Kroil will creep to where it is needed and lasts a long time. DALE