Homemade Tumbler for Large Agates

ironrangerocks
off to a rocking start

Member since October 2024
Posts: 10

Homemade Tumbler for Large Agates Nov 5, 2024 18:19:36 GMT -5 quartz, amygdule, and 10 more like this

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Post by ironrangerocks on Nov 5, 2024 18:19:36 GMT -5

. I have a Covington 40Lb tumbler and 2 Rebel 17's. I had acquired quite a few Large agates that would not fit too well in these tumblers so I decided I may as well see if I could build a large tumbler that would fit these size agates. Luckily I was able to find on craigslist a Morse 55 gallon 201VS-1 variable speed 10-24RPM barrel mixer for $200. So I went to my buddy who is an engineer and asked him for his help on making a large tumbling barrel that will work on this mixer. After some design and thought we came up with this tumbler. It is 24Wx24L out of HDPE. We used conveyor belting for strips inside to turn the rocks, and we used aluminum sheeting for the back and front. The front cover we cut into 3 pieces so we can access the tumbler to make loading and unloading easier. Anyway, here are some pictures of how this bad boy turned out. I just loaded it with 235.8 lbs of large agates. I will use this tumbler for the 1st stage and then when they get reduced in size, use the 40lb to finish. I will post pictures of the 1st tumble and what I put into it in the Rock Tumbling section of this forum another time. Hope you enjoy.

chris1956 driving up their electric bill Member since July 2022 Posts: 2,402	Homemade Tumbler for Large Agates Nov 5, 2024 19:03:56 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by chris1956 on Nov 5, 2024 19:03:56 GMT -5 That ought to tumble something. That is a pretty good chunk of HDPE pipe.

quartz Cave Dweller breakin' rocks in the hot sun Member since February 2010 Posts: 3,359	Homemade Tumbler for Large Agates Nov 5, 2024 21:40:51 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by quartz on Nov 5, 2024 21:40:51 GMT -5 That's a really nice build, I like the idea of studding the end covers. What did you use for gaskets under the covers?
	Larry

ironrangerocks off to a rocking start Member since October 2024 Posts: 10	Homemade Tumbler for Large Agates Nov 6, 2024 8:10:55 GMT -5 hypodactylus likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by ironrangerocks on Nov 6, 2024 8:10:55 GMT -5 We used 1/2 rubber and cut into circle.

Tommy Administrator Member since January 2013 Posts: 12,981	Homemade Tumbler for Large Agates Nov 6, 2024 10:45:17 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Tommy on Nov 6, 2024 10:45:17 GMT -5 Holy smokes, that is a super impressive build - and belated welcome to the forum!
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pebblesky driving up their electric bill Purchased another UV mini bowl for tumbling Member since September 2022 Posts: 2,159	Homemade Tumbler for Large Agates Nov 6, 2024 12:06:29 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by pebblesky on Nov 6, 2024 12:06:29 GMT -5 It is a high bar of homemade equipments. Welcome!

hypodactylus spending too much on rocks Member since July 2021 Posts: 478	Homemade Tumbler for Large Agates Nov 6, 2024 12:49:43 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by hypodactylus on Nov 6, 2024 12:49:43 GMT -5 Wow, that is quite the project! Curious to know how it will work out for you.

pauls
fully equipped rock polisher

Member since May 2013
Posts: 1,172

Homemade Tumbler for Large Agates Nov 7, 2024 0:34:59 GMT -5

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Post by pauls on Nov 7, 2024 0:34:59 GMT -5

I have a piece of HDPE pipe a bit smaller diameter, about a foot, I have recently come up with the idea of using studs like you have, I was going to just drill and tap the HDPE and use a butchers cutting board for the end pieces, my junk shop sold the cutting boards on me though so I put the project on the back burner. I have almost completed my grinder upgrade so might have to restart the tumbler. A bit of tinkering really gets me happy.

rockinronda starting to spend too much on rocks Member since December 2023 Posts: 220	Homemade Tumbler for Large Agates Nov 14, 2024 14:20:14 GMT -5 via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by rockinronda on Nov 14, 2024 14:20:14 GMT -5 Can you explain a bit more abt the tumbler’s motor?

rockinronda starting to spend too much on rocks Member since December 2023 Posts: 220	Homemade Tumbler for Large Agates Nov 14, 2024 14:27:26 GMT -5 via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by rockinronda on Nov 14, 2024 14:27:26 GMT -5 Nvm. Googled barrel mixer. HOLY MOLY are they expensive! Wow 🍀 🦆