joanne
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2012
Posts: 19
|
Post by joanne on Feb 17, 2012 10:13:29 GMT -5
I want to start up my tumbler, It is in a shed . But are temps are any where from 30 down to -8. The shed has gotten down to 20 inside, can I run the tumblers in that cold of temps or should I wait tell it warms up abit more before starting? Thanks Joanne
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Feb 17, 2012 10:21:24 GMT -5
You should move someplace warmer.
|
|
peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
|
Post by peachfront on Feb 17, 2012 11:44:52 GMT -5
Why does it matter? Does the cold affect the gasket in the tumbler? I don't think I've had a freezing day on my bird porch, where the rotary tumbler lives, since I started tumbling, but I'd like to keep an eye out if it's important.
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Feb 17, 2012 11:52:48 GMT -5
It can definitely freeze at very low temperatures. In a small shed the heat of the motor and the turning may keep it from freezing down to something reasonable but not minus 8. Rinsing will be an issue also.
|
|
peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
|
Post by peachfront on Feb 17, 2012 12:17:44 GMT -5
Thanks, John.
|
|
Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
|
Post by Steve on Feb 17, 2012 14:08:57 GMT -5
Yes, as John said. You should move to somewhere warmer. California is nice. I've also heard good things about Arizona.
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Feb 17, 2012 14:51:43 GMT -5
We are in Apache Junction. AZ for the show this weekend. 72 degrees. Almost every RV here in the park has licenses from Canada, SD, WA, MN, and other parts North. Many look to be here for the winter.
|
|
joanne
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2012
Posts: 19
|
Post by joanne on Feb 17, 2012 17:34:38 GMT -5
Thank for the feed back, I would love to live somewhere that is warm , but I cant live with out the rocky mountain or spring here. You must have 100 hours of below freazing to get the irises to flower, I cant do with out that so I just wait . Spring will be here sone and when all this snow melts you find new wonders that werent there last fall. just wish it didnt last so long Thank all JOANNE
|
|
|
Post by chad on Feb 22, 2012 12:53:19 GMT -5
I'm wondering if putting a box or storage container covered with a blanket over the tumbler would create something of a greenhouse effect with the heat from the motor. Inside the box, the motor would create a hot zone, and with the towels and box covering it, it might be enough to keep it from freezing. It does depend what kind of tumbler you're using though. I'm not sure if the smaller motors from the 33b lortones would put out enough heat... but I'm sure the larger motors on the QT12 would put out enough to keep it warm in a small enclosed place.
Granted, you'd want to keep an eye on temps, and be sure not to leave it covered on days it would get TOO warm with the hotbox.
|
|
peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
|
Post by peachfront on Feb 27, 2012 12:34:25 GMT -5
Gosh. I don't want to be the one to tell you this, but you certainly don't need 100 days or even 100 hours of freezing to get Iris in bloom. We have wonderful stands of Iris in bloom in the Louisiana swamps every April, whether we get any freeze days or not. So if the Iris is holding you back from getting out of the snowfields...come on down!
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Feb 27, 2012 13:45:55 GMT -5
That's funny. Our show in Yucaipa (CA) in May is in conjunction with the city's iris festival. The city official flower seems to do just fine. Temperatures only get below 32 degrees several nights in a year.
|
|
dbrealityrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2010
Posts: 1,084
|
Post by dbrealityrocks on Feb 27, 2012 19:01:29 GMT -5
How about a small electric heater with a plastic covering like a small greenhouse. I live in MT where it gets plenty cold but keep my tumblers and saws going inside. Nothing like a load in the vibe to sleep by!
|
|
|
Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Feb 27, 2012 20:30:36 GMT -5
I have seen a homemade tumbler that was was enclosed in wood and had a 100 watt lightbulb to keep it from freezing. This makes sense because I know of people that use a lightbulb to keep outdoor hunting dog kennels warm all winter here in michigan.
|
|