djalley
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2007
Posts: 18
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Post by djalley on Jun 22, 2008 12:15:19 GMT -5
Hey all,
I'm making a rock tumbler. It will be designed around using 6" PVC piping for barrels. I'd like to run up to 4 barrels simultaneously. Right now I'm considering making an in-line tumbler (2 long shafts) or a "parallel" setup (4 shorter shafts).
I'm thinking the 6" PVC barrels will be 12" long each, with 4 barrels total. What would you guys say the required horsepower AC motor would be to drive this setup fully laden?
If I go the in-series one, it will be about 60" long total. The "parallel" one will be half the length but will require some additional pulleys to drive the second line.
Thanks, Don
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Post by Noosh9057 on Jun 22, 2008 15:18:43 GMT -5
Well cant help you with the required horsepower. But good luck would love to see a pic when it is done.
Roger
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Rockygibraltar
fully equipped rock polisher
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Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,404
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Post by Rockygibraltar on Jun 22, 2008 21:40:40 GMT -5
A 1/2 horse motor should be plenty. It doesn't take much power once the barrels are rolling.
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
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Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Jun 22, 2008 21:46:37 GMT -5
I agree 1/2 hp should be plenty. I have one with 6" pvc that is 36", lots of power left over with the 1/2 hp motor I have. PVC is really loud though.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jun 24, 2008 13:17:54 GMT -5
I use a 1/12 hp motor with 20 lbs. of rock without trouble. If I get around 30 or more, the motor has trouble getting started, but Rockygibraltar is right: if I give a barrel a push to get started it rolls right along.
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Post by deb193redux on Jul 1, 2008 0:23:47 GMT -5
1/2 is likely overkill, but the motor will only draw as much power as it needs, so not to worry about power. Maybe use 1/4 hp to avoid over torquing anything.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 1, 2008 9:06:35 GMT -5
My Highland Park 40 lb. tumbler had the original 1/3 hp motor. The 65 lb. uses the same 1/3 hp. Too big a motor sounds good but isn't. If the motor doesn't draw 1/2 it's rated amperage it can run hot which wouldn't be good on a tumbler.
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dshalldms
starting to spend too much on rocks
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Member since January 2008
Posts: 113
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Post by dshalldms on Jul 2, 2008 1:57:39 GMT -5
Hi,
Scott W... mentions the question of noise!
Try lining your barrels using rubber from an old Litho Blanket.
Hope this helps,
Derek
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djalley
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2007
Posts: 18
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Post by djalley on Jul 7, 2008 9:53:13 GMT -5
Thanks for the info, guys! As it stands, I will likely vulture the motor off my Thumbler, then. =) The whole thing is falling apart, but it IS 30 years old...
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