schnur07
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2016
Posts: 12
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Post by schnur07 on Jul 19, 2020 10:35:46 GMT -5
I have a cheap harbor freight tumbler and the motor seems like it's shot only after a couple batches - should have know better. My daughter has recently found some large agates, some slightly over a pound and I'm trying to find the most economical way to proceed with a tumbler. I'm assuming I would need at least a 6lb tumbler for that size of agate but maybe even bigger. It looks like I'm looking at a minimum of about $250 for a new rotary tumbler.
I find a lot of threads for DIY tumblers but not sure how much hassle it is trying to locate parts and build one. I'm fairly handy and the building part seems doable but I'm typically best when there are some plans I can follow. Not sure how to figure out pulley sizes to get the RPM correct and where to purchase. I suppose I could make them out of wood easily enough. I can't think of any motors I might have lying around which seems like would be the most expensive part if you can't locate a used one. I've read that a continuous duty motor is needed and one with a heat overload fuse.
Unfortunately, there appears to be an endless supply of these large agates practicially in our backyard and I don't see my daughter losing interest. I have to admit, polishing these huge agates would be cool, but costly, especially when you add in all the grit costs.
I also have access to lapidary equipment at the local senior center. I have never used this type of equipment and don't know if there are other ways to turn these huge agates into something pretty.
Any advice is appreciated!
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Wooferhound on Jul 19, 2020 14:40:46 GMT -5
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Post by rmf on Jul 19, 2020 14:47:46 GMT -5
schnur07 Rock tumblers are not rocket science I made one in high schoo shop. made shafts 1/2" and used 1" water pipe to make a bearing sleeve and pored them with babbit (well known alloy for bearings) and then locked them into place with a screw down. This used a 1/3 hp motor with a 1" pullu top a 10.5" pully and I used Lortone barrels. Would hold 2 - 12#, 4 - 6# drums or 4 - 3# drums. I could only afford the 3# drums but used it for a while.
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Post by knave on Jul 19, 2020 14:57:23 GMT -5
Building your own will take time And money. Purchasing a good tumbler takes very little time and a little more money. Do what you enjoy!
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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 Jul 20, 2020 16:43:06 GMT -5
You may enjoy Rock Tumbling But Not Tumbler Building. Buy a new Lortone and tumble
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Wooferhound on Jul 20, 2020 17:13:23 GMT -5
Unless you have most of the parts already then you won't save any money making your own tumbler.
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schnur07
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2016
Posts: 12
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Post by schnur07 on Jul 20, 2020 17:36:21 GMT -5
Thanks all. I'll take a look at the link and see if I can find some parts to make it and if not, I might have to bite the bullet. I do enjoy DIY stuff but if I can't find a used motor for cheap, it doesn't make any sense.
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Post by knave on Jul 20, 2020 17:57:10 GMT -5
GO GREEN
JK
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asclepius
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2021
Posts: 4
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Post by asclepius on Sept 24, 2021 18:57:51 GMT -5
You are correct: The motor and the drum are the pricey parts. I intend to make a tumbler and use a common fan motor. I want to use a 6 or 8 inch PVC pipe (about 18” long) for the drum, but that’s too pricey, especially with the closures on the ends. You can coat the inside with "truck bed liner paint" to prevent erosion. Bearings and shaft from www.vxb.com/1-2-UCP201-8-Pillow-Block-Cast-Housing-p/kit940.htm at $15 each. (you can pay half as much, but the pressed bearings (BEH8A) are crap). Shafts: 2 24" half inch shafts $20 each www.metalsdepot.com/search?q=R212-TGP+ Motor pulley (Driver): www.zoro.com item# G4447197 -1.5" $5.51 Shaft pulley (driven): www.zoro.com item# G4447145 - 5" $8.83 Shaft Cover (for the drum to ride on) Hose, 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD, www.mcmaster.com/5633K24 - $19.90 Motor: Broan Attic Fan Motor 1140 RPM, 4.3 amps, 120V, 1/12 hp. www.walmart.com/ip/Broan-Attic-Fan-341-355-358-Motor-97009317-1140-RPM-4-3-amps-120V/951844493 $55.94 A couple of 2 x 12s for the frame: Lowes.com $30 And a drive belt ($15). I'll have to calculate the belt length after I figure out where I'm going to mount the shafts. See www.engineeringtoolbox.com/length-belt-fans-motors-d_872.html to calculate the belt length. I'll use a 3L belt. Well, it's a hot mess of a pipe dream concept, but the only part I haven't figured out yet is the drum material. Schedule 40 PVC 6 - 8 inch is very expensive (more than I want to pay) So if someone has an idea for a drum material with closures (caps, flanges, etc), I'm all ears.
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