remist17
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2019
Posts: 4
|
Post by remist17 on Jul 15, 2019 18:41:15 GMT -5
So I am new to rock tumbling. So please excuse my question. Is it safe to operate the tumbler all the time? I'm so afraid it will catch fire and burn my house. I have a gfi outlet in the basement. Just looking for reassurance.
|
|
oldschoolrocker
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,540
|
Post by oldschoolrocker on Jul 15, 2019 19:57:05 GMT -5
They are safe to run continuously for weeks at a time.. most if not all tumblers have thermal protected motors that will shut off if too hot. That said , give tumbler adequate space and air flow and will be fine.
|
|
gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
|
Post by gatorflash1 on Jul 16, 2019 6:59:45 GMT -5
Hi Remist -
I think it depends on the tumbler. The motors on my heavy duty Thumler Tumblers have a thermal switch that shuts the tumbler off if the motor gets to hot. I'm running two or three large tumblers 24/7 in my shed. The only time they stop is when I refill them with more rocks or recharge them with more grit. Occasionally I have to change out the barrel drive belt for a new one because it has stretched. That, and a little drop of oil at every refill or recharge is all the maintenance I do. Of course when changing from one grinding step to the next I give them a good scrubbing to make them as clean as possible.
|
|
Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
|
Post by Fossilman on Jul 16, 2019 9:31:45 GMT -5
Roll them forever - no worries!
|
|
|
Post by Rockindad on Jul 16, 2019 18:28:17 GMT -5
So I am new to rock tumbling. So please excuse my question. Is it safe to operate the tumbler all the time? I'm so afraid it will catch fire and burn my house. I have a gfi outlet in the basement. Just looking for reassurance. If this is a major concern a lot of us are in trouble! The majority of tumblers (as in people) run their machines 24/7. I cannot recall reading a post about any incidents of fire either from the somewhat recent past or in any of the older threads. As an aside, and not to get into the weeds on your electrical system, your GFCI outlet is there to protect you from shock. It is not the same thing as as a fuse, circuit breaker, AFCI, etc. Al
|
|
remist17
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2019
Posts: 4
|
Post by remist17 on Jul 17, 2019 8:06:01 GMT -5
I'm getting Lortone 3a tumbler. Would this be considered a reliable safe unit. I could not find if it had a thermal cut off.
|
|
|
Post by miket on Jul 17, 2019 9:47:01 GMT -5
My tumblers have been running constantly for months and months and I haven't had any worries at all, both are Lortones.
|
|
|
Post by greig on Jul 17, 2019 11:29:44 GMT -5
IMHO: the only two real risks tumbling inside with a Lortone 3A (I have one) is ticking off my wife from the noise and gas in the barrel. On the former, the noise is really not too bad in a room that you can shut the door. You can hear it when walking by, but it is not awful. On the second, keep an eye on your tumble and if you notice the bottom of the barrel pushing out, then burp it (open the lid to release the gas). If this is happening, keep a really good eye on the tumble as gas will probably happen again. If the gas is allowed to continue, then eventually the lid will pop off and the slurry will escape onto your floor (a mess which will also tick off the lady of my life). Gas only happens once in a blue moon with some kinds of rocks that I self collect. The ones you typically get from a rock shop don't tend to do it. I would rate the risk of house fire from a 7/24 tumble about the same as getting my pubes caught in the motor. I may come back and edit that last statement.
|
|
|
Post by miket on Jul 17, 2019 12:00:29 GMT -5
IMHO: the only two real risks tumbling inside with a Lortone 3A (I have one) is ticking off my wife from the noise and gas in the barrel. On the former, the noise is really not too bad in a room that you can shut the door. You can hear it when walking by, but it is not awful. On the second, keep an eye on your tumble and if you notice the bottom of the barrel pushing out, then burp it (open the lid to release the gas). If this is happening, keep a really good eye on the tumble as gas will probably happen again. If the gas is allowed to continue, then eventually the lid will pop off and the slurry will escape onto your floor (a mess which will also tick off the lady of my life). Gas only happens once in a blue moon with some kinds of rocks that I self collect. The ones you typically get from a rock shop don't tend to do it. I would rate the risk of house fire from a 7/24 tumble about the same as getting my pubes caught in the motor. I may come back and edit that last statement. Pretty sure they make a guard for that greig ...
|
|
|
Post by As I in does tries! on Jul 17, 2019 13:53:10 GMT -5
Greetings Rotary tumblers have an average running temperature of 75°C (167°F), it does not matter if you are running a basic Lortone 3A (3lb) or a lortone C300 (36lb); the running temperature is the same!
|
|
|
Post by Rockindad on Jul 17, 2019 20:21:27 GMT -5
IMHO: the only two real risks tumbling inside with a Lortone 3A (I have one) is ticking off my wife from the noise and gas in the barrel. On the former, the noise is really not too bad in a room that you can shut the door. You can hear it when walking by, but it is not awful. On the second, keep an eye on your tumble and if you notice the bottom of the barrel pushing out, then burp it (open the lid to release the gas). If this is happening, keep a really good eye on the tumble as gas will probably happen again. If the gas is allowed to continue, then eventually the lid will pop off and the slurry will escape onto your floor (a mess which will also tick off the lady of my life). Gas only happens once in a blue moon with some kinds of rocks that I self collect. The ones you typically get from a rock shop don't tend to do it. I would rate the risk of house fire from a 7/24 tumble about the same as getting my pubes caught in the motor. I may come back and edit that last statement. I get real excited about tumbling, but... Al
|
|
|
Post by arghvark on Jul 24, 2019 12:36:30 GMT -5
I don't think you have to worry about fire at all. My personal experience, 2 double barrel rotaries running literally nonstop for 2 years in a garage that hits 100°F or more in the summer. Only thing I do is take the motor cover off in the summer. Just keep up on maintenance (oil in bushings, belt tension.) Oh yeah, and one other thing: have fun! (Although perhaps not as much fun as greig appears to be having...) Argh
|
|