kimx5
off to a rocking start
why are my stones not shiny after their polishing process? What have I done wrong ?
Member since September 2014
Posts: 4
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Post by kimx5 on Sept 6, 2014 6:42:49 GMT -5
Please help im very new to rock tumbling and have just purchased a Rock n Roll 6lb duall drum rotary tumbler from USA along with an AC-AC Convertor, model 651.004 uk, Input 230v/50hz, COS=02(no load), Output AC 110v 100va . Put correct amount of stones, water and grit in tumblers put on and left tumbling away. Checked next morning and everything has stopped. Can anyone tell me why or what I need to do or purchase to get my new hobby on the go. Oh and meant to say im having to use the convertor step down as im from the UK . Thanks kim.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 6, 2014 7:37:24 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum.
Sorry to hear that you got off to a "rocky" start. If you take off the loaded barrel do the shafts start spinning again? belts are the number one failure in rotary tumblers. sometimes they just get loose and they do break too.
I have never heard of that exact tumbler, could you post a link that shows it from where you bought it?
Chuck
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kenefick
starting to shine!
Member since August 2014
Posts: 44
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Post by kenefick on Sept 6, 2014 7:44:25 GMT -5
Going from memory here, as it's been a lot of years. Power in the USA is 60 cycle. Power in the UK is 50 cycle. The 'converter' is a step-down transformer which drops the 230 volts to 110 volts, but does not affect the frequency. The output from the transformer will still be 50 cycle, This means the motor (designed for 60 cycle) will not run at the proper speed, and will probably overheat (probably tripping an internal overload). I did a tour of duty in the UK back in the '60's, and there were many US appliances that we could not use due to the frequency difference.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 6, 2014 7:47:56 GMT -5
yeah it sure sounds like a power issue since it is a brand new tumbler. I hope its an easy fix for you. We have a few members from the UK so maybe one will chime in.
Chuck
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kimx5
off to a rocking start
why are my stones not shiny after their polishing process? What have I done wrong ?
Member since September 2014
Posts: 4
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Post by kimx5 on Sept 6, 2014 9:22:32 GMT -5
Thank you all for trying to help me, I will look into all your answers as soon as I can and hopefully get back to tumbling quickly after my 'rocky start' lol .
Thanks again...kimx5
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kimx5
off to a rocking start
why are my stones not shiny after their polishing process? What have I done wrong ?
Member since September 2014
Posts: 4
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Post by kimx5 on Sept 6, 2014 9:45:34 GMT -5
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stephent
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 213
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Post by stephent on Sept 6, 2014 11:03:50 GMT -5
It may not be the tumbler motor.. very well could be the AC converter.. "most" of those are only rated at 85va ..(for one hour max use). The converter has a fuse in it..check fuse. Check the tumbler motor amp draw (or wattage) rating and add 20% for 50 vs 60 cycle loss...2 full barrels will get ya close to the MAX for the converter rating. And the one hour max use rating will certainly get it warm! Find a continuous rated converter...and a bigger one too. OR...find a 220v window fan motor locally and adapt it (fan motors will need a small fan to get airflow thru the motor).
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kimx5
off to a rocking start
why are my stones not shiny after their polishing process? What have I done wrong ?
Member since September 2014
Posts: 4
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Post by kimx5 on Oct 20, 2014 15:38:45 GMT -5
Well im back ...got new ac convertor bigger and stronger ...been polishing stones for weeks ...1 week process of grit 1 ...then 1 week of grit 2...then 1 week of grit 3 stones are all looking really good ...put them in for 1 week of polish ...took them out on sunday ...they all look gorgeous while they are wet but when dry they are all dull ...what have I done wrong ? ?..please help with any tips as was really wanting to start making some pendants and bracelets this weekend. ?..
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