Anybody here use the Harbor Freight Rock Tumbler

[Oakman404]

To clean your clad coins? I see they have a double barrel 6lb capacity for 49 bucks. just wondered if its a good tumbler?

 

[jabbo]

My Chicago tumbler is the same 3 pounder painted red. The problem I had with it is the rubber belts break real soon. Made a leather belt for it, now is OK..

 

[Oakman404]

Good info.

 

[Roscue2]

Plus they only cost 25 cents to replace at my local auto shop.

Another tip: if you are gonna tumble coins out in your garage on a cold day, be sure to let the engine warm up before you put the barrels on it.

Also, don't forget to put oil on the spinning rod every month or so. The instructions tell you what needs oil.

 

[ohio fred]

I do i have the double tumbler works great never had a problem except the for a little oil on the rods.Had it about three years.I hear you can find a rubber band to replace belt if it breaks or order a new one.iam satisfied with mine.If i remember i got it on sale for like 24 dollars.

 

[tab-nabit]

I have the HF double barrel tumbler. Like already mentioned, the belt broke real quick. I found a heavy rubberized gasket like an o-ring and it has held up well since. Almost like automotive fan belt grade.

 

[Old Katz]

I've never gotten around to getting one but I have heard good reports.
Some people have indicated that they use the extra thick rubber bands
when the belt breaks. Just something to keep in mind.
Katz

 

[Uncle Willy]

I've used them for years. Great tumblers. Try to catch them on sale and they're much cheaper. I got my last one for twenty bucks. Unless they have improved them the belts have a habit of going tits up after so many hours use but you can solve that problem real cheap. Buy a bag of quarter inch wide rubber bands and they make great drive belts and dirt cheap.

Bill

 

[joe dirt_1]

i use a lortone single barrel tumbler to clean my clad and after running it so much the barrel started slipping on the drive bar. i tried a couple things that didn't work very well. then i put some rubber gas line on the drive bar and the free turning bar and it works better than when it was new. it is a cheap and easy fix and works like a champ on tumblers similar to my lortone model 3a. hope this helps someone who has the same problem i had...............roger

 

[Oakman404]

Thanks everyone for all the tips, now I just gotta watch for a sale!

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah I've got one of those that I've had for years and paid a pretty penny for it and it gave up the ghost long ago which is why I switched to HF.

Bill

 

[Hopskippy]

I also have the tumbler from harbor freight. The belt broke right away ( was doing stones). I found belt replacements at Ebay. They were huge O rings and they were perfect. I bought a pack of 6 real cheap. They work GREAT !! Never tried cleaning coins in it, but it sounds like a clad cleaner to me...

 

[Uncle Willy]

Lots of them used for coins. I've got two of them.

Bill

 

[NJgeoman]

Double barrel was on sale at Harbor freight in NJ stores for $39.99 this weekend.

 

[fongu]

Do you use these machines to clean coins that you are taking to the bank? I assume it's just for regular clad coins and not old or valuable coins?

 

[Oakman404]

Yes, that is what it is used for. Any coin you may think is valuable should be examined and cleaned professionally.

 

[Old Katz]

Just clean your regular clad coins. Not the old stuff.
Katz