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Post by fantastic5 on Oct 23, 2014 20:34:18 GMT -5
Right after I got home from the coral trip in August with jamesp, kap and munchie my new to me Lortone QT66 stopped turning. I replaced the bushings in the motor, but to no avail. So I had to make the hard decision to either buy a new motor or build a new tumbler. We are in the process of a remodel so we have an excess of lumber laying around. A great friend of mine and fellow rockhound told me he had several motors for me to choose from. I took an afternoon and went to his house, where he had two 8' tables pulled out into the yard completely covered in motors. We picked out two motors, a 1/6th hp and a 1/3 hp for me to take home. While I told him I only needed one, he explained that every rockhound should be in the possession of at least two motors at all times. After extensive PM's with James over the next few months along with a thorough search of this site and this is what I came up with. Two story tumbler. The top is geared to run the 8" lortone barrels at 27 rpm. The middle shelf will run 6" PVC (ala JamesP design). It is geared to run at 54 rpm, but I haven't made those barrels yet.
The first run found that the barrels just slipped on the cold-rolled steel rods that I purchased from our local Sisken Steel Outlet Store, so I took the pillow blocks back off and covered the rods with old garden hose I had in the garden shed. Covering 5/8" rods with 5/8" ID garden hose is much easier in theory! I found that heating the hose sections in a pot of boiling water and having my he-man husband help (generous for me to think I had anything to do with this part) was the ticket.
I still intend to add 2x4 to each end and cover with plywood to protect me and my hair from the pulleys. The motor actually hangs and applies it's own weight to the pulley.
Found these swivel casters at our local Mill and Mine store and thought they would be ideal as barrel stops. And while it does roll with the barrel, it is actually cutting a grove into the lid. I think I will try some mole skin on the caster wheel itself.
I have no idea the age of the tumbler, but I wonder if they aren't really old. So a question that I have about the lortone barrels. They are developing a fine black powder on the outside where they rub on the rods and here is a picture of coral that I let tumble with just water, no grit, to remove some of the matrix and soften the sharp edges. Look how instead of being white like in the pictures JamesP show, it is actually a dark gray - the color of the barrels. Has anyone else ever seen this before?
Here is the barrel ready to go back on, with the first corals that tumbled for the initial 36 hours and the ones from above that tumbled 72 hrs with only water.
I still need to finish the ends, and I have some of the pink 2" insulation boards that I think I will try to use as a sound barrier for the middle shelf when I start running the PVC.
Thanks for looking!!
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Post by orrum on Oct 23, 2014 20:41:16 GMT -5
Oh I want one!!!! What a great setup!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,680
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Post by Fossilman on Oct 23, 2014 21:38:53 GMT -5
Awesome setup!!!!!!!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Oct 24, 2014 4:16:28 GMT -5
Sweet tumbler Ann. That one will last a long time. When you get a chance try to find a couple of small pulleys and a belt to fit to drive both shafts. So that both shafts are driven. With those shafts sticking out there is plenty of space. One shaft drive is not so reliable. If the barrel slips due to a leakage the shaft can wear a groove into the barrel. Double drive best. Like way more traction, even when wet. Say you are burnishing with soap and a barrel leaks. Would hate for you to find it has been slipping for hours and damaged your barrel. The only other suggestion would be a rubber end wheel type castor. I see coral being rounded. Can't wait to see your progress. If you guys are like me you will load all that shaft space up with barrels ha. The more the merrier. Double shaft drive:
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Post by captbob on Oct 24, 2014 11:31:01 GMT -5
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Post by fantastic5 on Oct 24, 2014 12:18:31 GMT -5
Thanks for the idea captbob! I have 3 of the 3lb barrels from my first tumbler that I bought. I made sure that the lower shelf will handle both a 6" PVC as well as the 3lb barrels. Currently it is geared fast for that shelf and I'm not sure if the rubber barrel will leak at that speed (54 RPM)or not. I did add a spill pan under each section for added protection from unexpected leaks. jamesp - I am planning on adding a direct drive for both sets of bars. I purposely left extra length on the bars for that exact reason. Right now with the two full 6lb barrels there is enough weight to drive the second shaft. When just one barrel is in place it slips. Now I just need to get my hands on some nicely priced bulk grit
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Post by captbob on Oct 24, 2014 12:31:57 GMT -5
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Post by fantastic5 on Oct 24, 2014 12:38:28 GMT -5
These were the same people that JamesP recommended. I agree on the pricing, I just hate the shipping. I keep thinking I will get over to that part of Georgia sometime soon and can buy my own, but now that my tumbler is functional I am going to eat through the last bunch I bought from the Rock Shed in no time. Might need to buck up and pay the shipping. Unless.... kap how close are you to these people in your travels?
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Oct 24, 2014 17:20:34 GMT -5
Thanks for the idea captbob! I have 3 of the 3lb barrels from my first tumbler that I bought. I made sure that the lower shelf will handle both a 6" PVC as well as the 3lb barrels. Currently it is geared fast for that shelf and I'm not sure if the rubber barrel will leak at that speed (54 RPM)or not. I did add a spill pan under each section for added protection from unexpected leaks. jamesp - I am planning on adding a direct drive for both sets of bars. I purposely left extra length on the bars for that exact reason. Right now with the two full 6lb barrels there is enough weight to drive the second shaft. When just one barrel is in place it slips. Now I just need to get my hands on some nicely priced bulk grit It will be good to see 9-10 identical barrels running. To assist in confusion.
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Post by captbob on Oct 24, 2014 18:24:40 GMT -5
I tape an index card up in front of each running barrel with what is in it listed, as well as each step the tumble has gone through and the date it happened. Just an easy way to know how long each step has run. For instance, my current running barrel has this: Mahogany Obsidian Sept 29 60/90 Oct 6 clean out & reload 60/90 Oct 10 added pellets & grit Oct 16 added grit Oct 21 culled / clean out & reload 60/90 I've had ceramic media in the entire process, and added plastic pellets at the last clean out, but I really don't need much more information than what happened and when as I'm not writing a thesis
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Post by Rockoonz on Oct 24, 2014 22:35:13 GMT -5
I have no idea the age of the tumbler, but I wonder if they aren't really old. So a question that I have about the lortone barrels. They are developing a fine black powder on the outside where they rub on the rods and here is a picture of coral that I let tumble with just water, no grit, to remove some of the matrix and soften the sharp edges. Look how instead of being white like in the pictures JamesP show, it is actually a dark gray - the color of the barrels. Has anyone else ever seen this before? [/p]
[/quote] As long as they keep working keep using them. They are made out of pretty tough rubber and last a long time. Black rubber has carbon black added to make it more durable, and since carbon black is basically soot it's not surprising that you get a bit of black in your barrels.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Oct 25, 2014 11:02:28 GMT -5
We have performed a patent infringement on Drummond Island Rock's design. I know crooked southern lawyer should any complaints arise .
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Post by fantastic5 on Oct 25, 2014 16:55:26 GMT -5
I tape an index card up in front of each running barrel with what is in it listed, as well as each step the tumble has gone through and the date it happened. Just an easy way to know how long each step has run. For instance, my current running barrel has this: Mahogany Obsidian Sept 29 60/90 Oct 6 clean out & reload 60/90 Oct 10 added pellets & grit Oct 16 added grit Oct 21 culled / clean out & reload 60/90 I've had ceramic media in the entire process, and added plastic pellets at the last clean out, but I really don't need much more information than what happened and when as I'm not writing a thesis Great advice! I find myself already trying to remember what day I cleaned and/or recharged last. Now I do see you are running between 4 and 7 days between interventions, do you have a rhyme and reason or is it when you find the time?
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Post by fantastic5 on Oct 25, 2014 16:57:44 GMT -5
As long as they keep working keep using them. They are made out of pretty tough rubber and last a long time. Black rubber has carbon black added to make it more durable, and since carbon black is basically soot it's not surprising that you get a bit of black in your barrels. This makes me feel better. My only concern was that this may have been a symptom that the end of life for these barrels was close at hand. I've come this far, I don't want to go back to not being able to tumble again. Thanks!!!
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Oct 26, 2014 22:11:13 GMT -5
We have performed a patent infringement on Drummond Island Rock's design. I know crooked southern lawyer should any complaints arise . no lawyer required. Always fun to see someone take on the task of building their own tumbler. This one should provide years of enjoyment with minimal upkeep. nice job fantastic5Chuck
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billg22
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 451
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Post by billg22 on Oct 27, 2014 16:47:23 GMT -5
I've stopped tumbling about a month ago. I told myself, no tumbling until I build my own tumbler. I've gone through all the archives, pulling info on all the homemade tumblers. I like the idea of the double decker. We too have a bunch of lumber from bathroom project. I just need to get going. I have four Q-66 barrels and three each of the 3 pound and 1.5 pound barrels to use. Just need to figure out the placement. After your post, I'm getting ready to start!
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Post by pghram on Oct 27, 2014 22:40:26 GMT -5
Nice build, that should keep rolling for a very long time.
Rich
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Post by fantastic5 on Oct 29, 2014 8:33:42 GMT -5
I've stopped tumbling about a month ago. I told myself, no tumbling until I build my own tumbler. I've gone through all the archives, pulling info on all the homemade tumblers. I like the idea of the double decker. We too have a bunch of lumber from bathroom project. I just need to get going. I have four Q-66 barrels and three each of the 3 pound and 1.5 pound barrels to use. Just need to figure out the placement. After your post, I'm getting ready to start! One thing that I went back and added during the build was a catch basin under each of the rollers. You can see it in the pictures, but I didn't talk about it at all. It is built out of wood, edges are glued and screwed and then I came back and caulked. This was after talking with JamesP, who had a leak that ruined some of his pillow blocks. I actually didn't caulk the edges until I had my first leak (putting it mildly). Which was unfortunately after my first clean out, I hadn't fully seated the lid on the 6# lortone barrel so within a few seconds of starting to spin, the lid just fell off and filled the catch pan with everything that was in the barrel. That is when I realized that just gluing didn't fully keep the water in, so I came back and caulked. Now I'm extra careful how I seat the lids! I actually see if I can pry them off before I put them on to spin. So far I haven't been able to and haven't had any more leaks. I also bought inexpensive (relatively speaking) pillow blocks from eBay. I'm not sure if that was the best idea or not. They look good, ball bearings, grease fittings, heavy metal housing, but I am getting fine metal shavings coming from a few of them. I keep adding grease, but it seems to ooze out around the bearings. Not sure if this is normal or a symptom of my cutting costs. Please post pictures as you do your build! Sure like seeing what other people are doing!
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Post by roy on Oct 29, 2014 9:32:03 GMT -5
Very cool tumbler! Instead of using the hose you could of use a rubberized coating spray can get at any car parts store ! Happy tumbling!!!!!!
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Oct 29, 2014 9:41:15 GMT -5
Seems like 4 lids have been blown off is 2 years Ann. Got smart and double clamped them. And learned to watch the gaseous materials. Eventually a spill is going to happen. Chances are that it will not get into a grease fitting equipped pillar block. Mine did not even get in the bearing, but the self centering bearing container causing it to wear and then spin. Kinda weird.
Metal shavings is odd. You can always remove the barrels, turn it off, and spin the shafts w/your hand to see if there is any bearings binding. The pillar blocks on your machine look like the real McCoy and should last a long time.
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