Stinking Rock Tumbler

[mamabear]

have you tried baking soda? I've always bought my tumblers second hand so I've never experienced this smell. thank goodness

 

[sandsifter]

That sounds even better, I agree glass can break when the temp rises Thanks

 

[RuffandTuff]

Also try "Fresh Wave" (www.fresh-wave.com). Thanks RuffandTuff

 

[Jagdpanther]

The rubber just needs to off-gas. Let them set outside in the sun for a few days.

 

[Weasel_Loader]

I didn't read this topic before buying my HF tumbler last weekend.

I opened it up for the first time today on the kitchen table and just about fell over from the smell. Wife came down from upstairs and wondered what the heck the crazy smell was just as I was taking it outside. Looks like I'll be tumbling my coins in the back patio till the smell subsides.

 

[Cynangyl]

hey Weasel....you might make her read this thread just so you can convince her that it was the tumbler that was making that smell and not you.....would hate to have you sleepin on the patio with the tumbler! Sorry you did not know the ill smell of the tumbler til it was too late! Guess we did not get the word out good enough! Hang in there...some folks have posted some ideas on how to get rid of the smell on here that you might try and if all else fails contact Eathan or Dallas that are dealers on here and they can get ya hooked up with an unsmelly tumbler!

 

[boogeyman]

The rubber just needs to off-gas. Let them set outside in the sun for a few days.

as stated, leave em out in the sun for two or three days. If you can't find a belt Dust Devil belts will work, stretch the belt a little bit before installing, also you have to move the motor all the way over. I replaced the belt this way and it's been running fine for over a year.

 

[Ray S ECenFL]

The rubber just needs to off-gas. Let them set outside in the sun for a few days.

I first posted this thread in Dec 2007. As stated, my tumblers from HF have been banished to the back yard. They have been gassing off for almost 4 months. The smell is still there. Not as strong but still there. It took days before the odor left my garage. Guess I will continue to let them gas off in the back yard for another few months.
Ray S

 

[Getty]

DUH? Go figure ,Made in China or Korea Or Mexico. Buy american man! My 2 cents worth!

 

[Patrol]

No problem. When you finally get to use it the belt will break immediately and you will have to get more. They too will break because they are cheap crap and you will be driving back and forth to the store buying more.

This has been my story and since it was made in China, my wife won't let it run when we are not home (I guess to put the fire out).

Other than that it has been great. The smell keeps the bugs out of the garage.

TE

 

[rmptr]

I recently read elsewhere that Lortone has replacement belts, AND the fan, which apparently breaks, also...

I've bought cheapo hammers at HF for demo work that have stinky black rubber grips that get worse as you use them! It goes away after a couple years... something in the chinese plastic formula. I don't think lead has an odor.

rmptr

 

[Getty]

I recently read elsewhere that Lortone has replacement belts, AND the fan, which apparently breaks, also...

I've bought cheapo hammers at HF for demo work that have stinky black rubber grips that get worse as you use them! It goes away after a couple years... something in the chinese plastic formula. I don't think lead has an odor.

rmptr

LMAO ROTL!!!!! Thats funny after the big "toy recall".

 

[Getty]

No problem. When you finally get to use it the belt will break immediately and you will have to get more. They too will break because they are cheap crap and you will be driving back and forth to the store buying more.

This has been my story and since it was made in China, my wife won't let it run when we are not home (I guess to put the fire out).

Other than that it has been great. The smell keeps the bugs out of the garage.

TE

Youre right. Im not advocating either way .If one chooses to put up with it, one can..if he chooses not to,throw it and get a good one.It seems to do a good job for the price.Quit harping on the stink.That stink is worth the end result so WTF. Go with it.

 

[berkshiregold]

I just bought one from Harbor Freight (4/29/09). It DOES stink! Smells like road tar or blacktop. Can't beat the price though! I'll just use it in the garage and leave it outdoors in the sun for a while to let it gas off. bg

 

[20eyes]

I didn't see this post either before buying the harbor freight rock tumbler, but I know what kind of 'quality' to expect from their tools... I got about 10 hours on my machine then the belt broke. Now I use my girfriends hair ties, works well enough for the single barrel unit. Mine is also banished to the garage. I dont notice the smell anymore since its in the garage. Alot of harbor freight stuff has some sort of odor to it though.