salpal48
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2015
Posts: 136
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Post by salpal48 on Sept 20, 2015 22:15:48 GMT -5
I recent acquired This rotary Tumbler. I believe it is a 6 Lb machine . stamped on the bottom Is" Lil Tex ". on the Barrel is " Rocks Lapidary Equipment". I never Heard of This Particular One. Is There anyone who is familiar with it. It was in rough shape when I got it . Cleaned it and Put some makeshift Belt on It . Got it running. It has 3 belt and all cast Aluminum with a rubber insert . At the Moment I am unable to post a Photo. If anyone has seen or knows anything about it please respond Thanks . I could email a Photo If you email me : ammunitionartifacts@gmail.com Sal
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 20, 2015 22:33:24 GMT -5
Sal, I'm not familiar with Rocks tumblers, but I can tell you that they built equipment that was made to last. I have several other pieces of their equipment, and they're almost as good as new. With a little TLC, you'll have a tumbler that will probably outlast you. For belts, try a shop that repairs vacuum cleaners and sewing machines. For new bearings, look on ebay for oilite bronze bushings. You'll need to take careful measurements of the existing bearings to find replacements. If the tumbler barrels are in bad shape, meaasure them and check for barrels by one of the present tumbler makers. Post measurements on here and people will measure their barrels to find something that will work. As soon as you can post pics, do so. Chances are that when Rocks went out of business, another company started building a near replica of their machines. Good luck.
Oh, and welcome aboard.
Don
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marinedad
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2010
Posts: 813
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Post by marinedad on Sept 21, 2015 7:37:30 GMT -5
I've got a rocks brand 14" saw, great machine! if they built the tumbler like their saws, like don said, it could outlast you.
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salpal48
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2015
Posts: 136
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Post by salpal48 on Sept 27, 2015 16:40:10 GMT -5
well. I got the Machine Running. . It's Not a speed machine . cleaned the Motor . It's a Nutone 1550 Rpm. . . It will handle 6 lb.. Found new bushing @ the Hardware store . ls @ the Moment using large O-Rings for Bets Or a Combination of both old and New.. I had It tumbling for 3 days Straight works Fine . The motor Gets very Hot. Do not Understand the 3 belt system. Pulley #1 drives the motor. pulley #2 extends Vertical up, pulley #3 drives the Vertical over the Carriage To the Drum Pulley then Turns It does not sit On a rotating shaft. . The drum sits on a Carriage . similiar to Meat on a spit. Sal
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 27, 2015 18:50:45 GMT -5
Does your barrel have a shaft welded to the center of each end ? This is most of an old 1950's Victor 3 chamber tumbler. Ignore the plumbers tape. I strapped it down while moving. On this machine each shaft goes through a stand with bronze bushings. A large pulley on one end, and a smaller pulley on a very old GE 1/4 HP motor. I'm going to restore this one & just display it along with some other vintage lapidary equipment.
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salpal48
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2015
Posts: 136
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Post by salpal48 on Sept 27, 2015 19:51:40 GMT -5
Yes. The drum is on a Carriage
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salpal48
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2015
Posts: 136
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Post by salpal48 on Sept 27, 2015 19:59:52 GMT -5
I am still Unable To Post On this forum. . There is always a error Message
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salpal48
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2015
Posts: 136
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Post by salpal48 on Aug 7, 2016 12:14:04 GMT -5
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Post by jakesrocks on Aug 7, 2016 12:35:36 GMT -5
Is this the one ? I copied it from your album to one of mine to post it.
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Post by captbob on Aug 7, 2016 12:52:55 GMT -5
lol
That sure is a boat load of belts and pulleys to spin a tumbler!
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salpal48
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2015
Posts: 136
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Post by salpal48 on Aug 7, 2016 13:11:09 GMT -5
yes, Thats why I purchase it. . It takes 3 belts all seen to Reduce the speed. and Turn the shaft The Drum spins on. . Works Great . by using the other Drive wheel You can reduce further. . Currently I have it Mounted. Looks Like a 6-9 lb Drum. I have seen other Rock's products on ebay But this was the only Tumbler I changed belt from O-Ring to Gates TRu-Flex , works Betther
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Post by pauls on Aug 7, 2016 16:57:50 GMT -5
The idler pulley is just there to get the speed down without using a tiny pulley on the motor driving a large pulley on the drum. Interesting arrangement and certainly looks like a solid unit.
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salpal48
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2015
Posts: 136
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Post by salpal48 on Aug 7, 2016 21:10:43 GMT -5
Yes it is solid. Runs steady. . The only Difficulty you have to Remove the belt and play with the Bearing To get it on and Off the carriage... The arm Is used to Pull on the Top pulley To get it turning. . When I got It there were no Belts. . I started using O ring.s. But later switched. . I had it Running for appox 6 Days straight. without a problem. I was really tring to Find Info . or some Printed Items showing some other Photo's Sal
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stonedape
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2016
Posts: 116
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Post by stonedape on Aug 8, 2016 11:19:27 GMT -5
Man that thing is cool!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2016 11:25:35 GMT -5
Thisvthing was engineered by rube goldberg!
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salpal48
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2015
Posts: 136
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Post by salpal48 on Aug 9, 2016 20:05:02 GMT -5
I do not Use this machine for Stones. . So far I have only used It for Cases. with media. . When Running it is almost silent . it spins on the 2 bearing . . The only slight Noise is the motor. If the Rock's Lapidary made this , They made Others
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huskeric
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 353
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Post by huskeric on Aug 12, 2016 14:29:15 GMT -5
Thisvthing was engineered by rube goldberg! You beat me to the punchline. =)
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salpal48
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2015
Posts: 136
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Post by salpal48 on Aug 12, 2016 20:21:50 GMT -5
Well I knew there would be Mixed reaction. . That's why this Hobby is Interesting . You find strange Thing in your Travels.. Collecting Tumbling Machine Is One of my related. Things. . I have several Unique Ones.
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