SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Feb 13, 2006 1:18:13 GMT -5
Thought I'd post my new tumbler fixer-upper project and ask some questions and hopefully get some advice. First, the pic. I picked this tumbler up from a friend who no longer needs this set-up. It runs 3 12# barrels at once, and has an extra 12#er barrel. It needs two pulley on the one end, and also I need to get a motor for it. I need to clean the barrels up, and replace the hoses on the rollers, but with a little sanding and re-painting, this machine should run just fine. Here's a few questions, and please feel free to PM me with any helpful suggestions and advice. I've never run anything like this, because I'm currently only running my double 3#'r Lortone, and this is quite an upgrade, and I can't wait to start using this big momma! First a few questions, where can I get two pulleys, 2 1/2" diameter that will fit 5/8" rollers? Next question, I have two 1/2 HP motors....one runs at 1650RPM the other at 3300RPM...which should I use? Last question, how much grit do I need to use. My friend told me he thought he used 1lb. per stage, but it's been so long since he used it, he wasn't quite sure. Thanks in advance.... Steve
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Feb 13, 2006 1:28:43 GMT -5
I can answer a couple questions. The motor should be 1,650 RPM. You use 1 pound of grit for each 12 pound barrel, changing it once per week. If you invest some time, and money in painting and repairing the unit, it should last a lifetime. Putting a couple hundred in this unit will cost a lot less than $800.00 for a brand new one. I would have it painted at a car body shop after totally disassembly. I think it would look good in a royal blue metallic base and yellow pearl metallic barrels!
MrCoffee
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gemmaster
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2005
Posts: 281
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Post by gemmaster on Feb 13, 2006 2:00:37 GMT -5
the form should follow function a tumbler is not a boy toy ego trip paint will not make the machine work . get a hard ware, or pulley special ist to help fit the proper size to get the speed you need. the old formula for amount of grit is 10% of rock load so amount of abrasive to use in 12 lbs machine 12 lbs x .10 ==1.2 lbs of s carbide /you may have a pulley specialist in your ares , the larger auto parts houses usually carry pulleys. let your fingers do the walking thru the yellow pages in the phone book, let me how it ends now you can buy more rock from your buddy gemmaster. best wishes. tuell/ the gemmaster
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Feb 13, 2006 2:52:43 GMT -5
I would tend to agree with the utility of the rock tumbler and it not being a "boy toy". However, there is nothing wrong with equipment that actually looks nice and is clean. It is a true fact that clean and well maintained equipment actually runs better and lasts longer. I guess I sound a bit crazy, but I actually like using something that looks nice better than I would using something that's dirty and likely to make a big mess in my apartment. If equipment is well cared for and looks nice it will hold its value and last a lifetime. Otherwise, it will rust out and eventually fall into disuse. That's been my personal experience anyway.
MrCoffee
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Feb 13, 2006 3:01:41 GMT -5
I agree with you Mr. Coffee. I will paint the darn thing once I get it up and runnin' and the paint scheme does sound cool, maybe even a racing stripe down the center of each barrel. Or how about red, white and blue barrels....Maybe if it looks nicer my wife won't complain about it as much. Richie, if you read this, have you found out anything about the motors you were talking about??? Thanks for the help to both of you. Hopefully I'll get more advice, and keep learnin' what I need to know. Gemmaster, I'll definitely need to get some more rough from you in the future...for now, i've got to get this darn thing runnin'! Steve
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Feb 13, 2006 4:27:35 GMT -5
For that tumbler, well, I just think a pearl metallic metal-flake automotive finish would look the best. The looks of that big tumbler should constantly remind you of the quality you put into your final product: the well tumbled stones you get at the end of a long run. A restoration project that's done right is a direct reflection on your patience and willingness to go the extra mile to turn out the best batch possible. The color theme I thougt of could reflect some variety in the coloration of stones that are tumbled, and the two colors contrast quite well. You probably could, in fact, get some alkyd Rustoleum primer and paint (the spray type for the barrels) and use that for the finish, and I'm sure it could save you some money. While Rustoleum doesn't offer a metal flake finish that I know of, it is very durable and water resistant. It would still look very nice on both the base and the barrels. I really do think the barrels should be sand blasted until they're free of any rust.
It looks like you have a wood base on that unit. If that's the case, you may wish to paint that with a brush and/or roller. The alkyd paint in a can would work best for the wood, just like with the barrels. Be sure to sand the wood well and use a good wood primer that's compatible with an oil based paint. If you are going to use a brush to paint the wood, get a china bristle or camel hair brush and some good paint solvent. Oil based paint will cover very nicely, with little or no brush marks. It works best if it's applied with several coats. I strongly recommend spray painting the barrels, you definitely don't want to paint those with a brush. Keep us informed, and I wish you the best of luck in getting that machine up and running, steveholmes.
MrCoffee
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gemmaster
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2005
Posts: 281
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Post by gemmaster on Feb 13, 2006 6:03:05 GMT -5
beauty is good yes very good but there are beautifull at least from a distance things and creatures and women and men that a troble or all but useless look at hollywood for example no dis intended to the coffee gentlemen it sounds like you are a centered being and wise in your advise to bfother holmes. your rth buddy gemmaster.
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jerryb
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 408
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Post by jerryb on Feb 13, 2006 6:58:28 GMT -5
steve,
a couple of things, the pulleys for the "off" side you can find at any "old fashoined" hardware store. you know the type where someone can actually help you a bit.
as for the motor: you need to check the duty cycle on the motor tag. if the 1650 is rated continuous duty, often tagged "cont" then it should do fine. if its not then consider the other motor and a jackshaft to reduce the speed further. the other option if the motor is not continuous duty is to go in search of a motor from a clothes dryer. they are continuous and you should be able to get one for $5-$10. i think a compressor duty motor wold be OK as well. a lower duty cycle motor will not last as long in continuous duty. for example a 30% duty motor should not run more than 30% of an hour unless you give it a 70% rest to cool down.
good luck, jerry
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stoneshine
starting to shine!
Member since January 2006
Posts: 32
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Post by stoneshine on Feb 13, 2006 9:20:17 GMT -5
man, what a find! a good cleaning and a coat of paint ...sweeeeet. i have a project in the works that will yield a similar unit. i found a good selection of pulleys available at tractor supply company, or local farm supply. i use the 15 lbs barrel and use a pound of grit per charge for course grind, and 120/220. i hope you have lots of rocks and grit! bob
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earthdog
Cave Dweller
Don't eat yellow snow
Member since June 2006
Posts: 2,731
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Post by earthdog on Feb 13, 2006 9:57:31 GMT -5
High gloss black on everything, then have a pinstiper paint bright red/orange flames on the barrels..
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Feb 13, 2006 11:13:48 GMT -5
1/2 HP motor sound a bit undersized- I mean we are talking about 36 POUNDS of rock here folks- I would go to a 1/3 or even a 1 HP
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Feb 13, 2006 13:42:40 GMT -5
1/2 HP motor sound a bit undersized- I mean we are talking about 36 POUNDS of rock here folks- I would go to a 1/3 or even a 1 HP For that machine, 1/2 horsepower is adequate. A new Lortone R40C has a 1/3 horsepower motor, and it has a 40 pound barrel. My Covington is 36 pounds of capacity, yet the motor is only 1/10 horsepower, and it does quite well. I guess the added horsepower is needed to turn the additional weight of the metal, as opposed to rubber barrels. MrCoffee
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Post by deb193 on Feb 13, 2006 13:54:14 GMT -5
I can answer a couple questions. The motor should be 1,650 RPM. ... I understand the motor RPM gets changed by the ratio of the pulleys and the ratio of the pully to the diametro of the rod that turns, but can I ask what is the desirable RPM of the barrel? Thanks
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Post by stoner on Feb 13, 2006 15:32:15 GMT -5
www.mcmaster.com/Hey Steve. Nice find. That tumbler will get you thru the stages real quick. Use the above link for everything you need for getting that beast running. 1/2hp is plenty to run it and from the looks of the pulley on the shaft, if you get a 1" pulley on a 1650RPM motor, you'll probably be running at the right speed. If you're gonna run it only for the coarse grit, I would run it at around 70RPM, use 45/70, and a little less water. If you use it for stage 1, 2, 3, then run it at 35-40RPM. It doesn't matter what it looks like cuz in 6 months, it's gonna be cruddy looking anyway. Oh, and the pulleys on the other end can be any diameter, so long as they are the same size. I've built a few tumblers so if ya need any more questions answered, PM me and I'll be glad to help. Ed
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Mar 13, 2006 16:13:53 GMT -5
Yesterday I was finally able to finish the painting part of my tumbler fix-it-up project. After hours of sanding the rust off the barrels, 2 coats of primer, and the finished product came out pretty good. I like the blue color I chose...just some spray paint I bought at the store. I wasn't going to paint the frame, but I decided it needed a fresh look as well, and decided to just paint it black. Of course, I still need to buy the pulleys, get new rubber on the rollers, , new bushings for where the barrels roll on the ends, (which I got off a pair of rollerblades) and then put it all together. It's coming along slowly, but it's getting there. I'll admit, it does look much better than when i first got it. I doubt I'll be able to work on it too much until after April, but it will eventually be rolling again soon! Steve
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thehawke
freely admits to licking rocks
My Lord and Master
Member since January 2006
Posts: 866
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Post by thehawke on Mar 13, 2006 16:38:37 GMT -5
looks great so far!
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turnedstone
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 766
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Post by turnedstone on Mar 13, 2006 16:43:14 GMT -5
wow steve it looks great you are doing a nice job on that good luck with it. George
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Post by parfive on Mar 13, 2006 17:03:28 GMT -5
Cleaned up nice, Steve. Looks like the first batch gotta be blue swirlstone or blue something.
Rich
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Post by connrock on Mar 13, 2006 17:47:12 GMT -5
I'll tell you what Steve.You're doing one heck of a job on that tumbler!!It REALLY looks GREAT!!
connrock
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Post by LCARS on Mar 13, 2006 19:18:02 GMT -5
The new do's a beauty eh!
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