quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Mar 6, 2010 10:09:46 GMT -5
I was asked to post pics. of our double 5-gallon barrel tumbler set, here they are. Homemade and it has worked well for about 8 years. Each barrel holds 50 lbs. rock and weighs 100 when full [downside of size]. Attachments:
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Post by rockrookie on Mar 6, 2010 19:51:18 GMT -5
wow , thats a lot of rock . and a LOT of grit !! --paul
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Mar 6, 2010 22:10:42 GMT -5
Bet you don't check that one every day ! ;D
Sweet machine.
How about sharing your formulas and schedule so these folks can understand what real tumbling takes?!
Dr Joe
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Dr Joe
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Mar 6, 2010 22:11:48 GMT -5
Whoa, now that's a serious tumbler. Looks like it's built to stand the test of time too! Nice build!
Nate
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Mar 8, 2010 23:55:35 GMT -5
Looks like a better built version of mine. My back doesn't like the large barrel!
Chuck
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Mar 8, 2010 23:59:15 GMT -5
Thanks to all for the compliments, I always try to build things that give durability, and look like someone cared. drjo: In answer. I built this thing because we found some nice, big agate mtl., had not seen that size stuff tumbled, so why not. We've done lots of pet. wood in it too. Some upward of 9 lbs. Most of our large mtl. was [is] quite rough, hillside stuff. With this mtl. we start w/2 weeks of 16 [yes, sixteen] grit, then 2 weeks of 80, 2 of 220, then 2 of tripoli polish with about 20% of rock volume being pieces of scrap leather cut in about 1 1/2" pieces. After the polish run, we mix cheap dry laundry soap w/water to a pancake batter consistency, more leather pieces [keep polish and soap leather separate], and run it 2 weeks. We fill the barrels about 3/4 full, using one barrel for SiC and the other for polish and soap. Our tumbling quality has been complimented by a couple who have been very involved in all forms of lapidary craft since the late 1940's, made us feel pretty good. We use one pound of grit for each gallon of tumbler capacity, and about 3/4 that volume for polish. I've figured costing on all of our 3 tumbler sets [different sizes], and it all comes out very near the same per pound of rock, cost of elect. included. We buy our grit from an industrial supply in 50 lb. bags, couldn't afford rock shop prices.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Mar 9, 2010 0:13:10 GMT -5
Nuts, I always forget something, we run it at 17 rpm, some say to slow down for polish, tried it, didn't make any difference to us [wife and I].
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Mar 9, 2010 9:18:19 GMT -5
Outstanding, Thank You !!!
Dr Joe
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Nov 1, 2012 3:29:13 GMT -5
I run two 16 pounders sort of 'industrailly' like yours.I also had some old scool coaching.I am addicted to the larger quantities.I s there tumbling rehab..........
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Post by gingerkid on Nov 1, 2012 5:53:46 GMT -5
...I am addicted to the larger quantities.I s there tumbling rehab.......... ROFL!
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spicer m
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 337
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Post by spicer m on Nov 2, 2012 0:24:59 GMT -5
Quartz Nice Thumbler and Thank You for sharing all that information. Mike
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