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Post by chad on Oct 22, 2011 10:00:15 GMT -5
Has anyone figured out the proper dimensions (space between shafts, rotational speed) for running 3 lortone 12lb barrels at once? I'm going to be putting one together (nothing fancy, some stainless shafts and pillow blocks on wood) soonish, and I figure someone here has probably already done the math on rotational speed and dimensions and such. Any chance of sharing some plans/measurements for running them properly at Lortone speeds? Will be powered with a standard 1725rpm 1/2hp motor. Just looking to leech off someone's expertise to save myself the trial and error process on this relatively simple project. I know the measurements probably aren't super important in terms of tolerances, but I'd like them running as close to the speeds they'd run on a QT12 since I figure Lortone already did the R&D on their barrels.
If someone takes the time to make a nice simple drawing with tried & true measurements and such for these specific barrels, PM me your mailing addy and I'll send you something fun as thanks.
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 22, 2011 20:40:45 GMT -5
If you can get the QT12 or QT66 dimensions it would work. Doesn't matter how many barrels. If I was home I would measure my HP12 but I am on the road until middle of November.
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Oct 22, 2011 21:07:30 GMT -5
Chad, I built this tumbler a few years ago, It's only for 2 QT 12 barrels though. (I also have a QT 12 Lortone, took measurement and rpm from it) Motor on the home built is a 1725 RPM 1/3 hp, bet that would spin 3 barrels with no problem. Bill I found my rough drawing, I am no draftsman but it shows the general idea. I added the other 3" pulleys so it is a bit of "4 wheel drive action". It seems to help keep everything rolling nice and even with both rollers pulling the barrels, and IMO makes better use of the motor's power. The motor is mounted in slots to allow adjustment of belt tension. I'm using a Gates 6844 belt on the motor, and a 6820 on the "pusher" pulleys. The Lortone rollers are spaced 5" center to center. I spaced mine at 5 1/2 ", to compensate for the thicker hose I put over the rollers. The Automotive hose is a little thicker than the Lortone roller covers, as well as that I wanted to have my barrels sit a bit a little deeper between the rollers because I can fill them 3/4 full with this more powerful motor, whereas on the Lortone one can only fill the barrel a little past 1/2 full before going "overweight". This gives them good traction so they don't spin out on the rollers. So, I ended up with 4 5/8" as inside space from edge of one roller to the other. (On the Lortone it is 4 1/4"). The Lortone spins at 30 rpm, my tumbler spins at 35 rpm, which seems to be just fine. I made my tumbler for 2 barrels because that is plenty for me, and I wanted to be able to use the barrel keepers so they don't wander. With a third barrel I suppose it would just sort of drift between the other two. Also, I think one might have to go to 3/4 " rollers to handle the weight of three barrels VS the length needed for three barrels.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 1, 2011 6:08:19 GMT -5
I am attaching an excel document that I made that has a couple fields you fill in and it will give you the end result RPM for any motor/pulley and shaft dia. combination. Just fill in the tabs with BLUE text and it will do all the math for you. This worked great on mine. PM me if you have any questions on how it works. Attachments:
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 1, 2011 14:37:03 GMT -5
1/3 hp would work fine. Covington had to add a center support to keep their triple 12 lb. unit from bowing the shafts. If I remember right it has 1/2" shafts. I would use 3/4" or 1" shafts. Bearings and shafts are readily available in our area for swamp coolers in both those sizes. Cooler bearings (bronze bushing pillow blocks are very inexpensive and what HP used on the 40 lb tumbler I had.
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Post by chad on Nov 12, 2011 21:18:46 GMT -5
Fantastic everyone, thanks so much for taking the time for the details!
That tumbler looks really close to what I had in mind. Something mounted on a simple 2x4 wood frame. Is vibration a notable concern?
I've got a 1/2hp motor currently doing nothing that I'll be using the roll this. Should allow me to overweight the barrels like I tend to do.
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