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Post by Michael John on Oct 21, 2008 23:55:27 GMT -5
I rented a new (to me) house recently, and was told I could use or have anything that was left in the garage (LOTS of stuff). Well, there's a bunch of different motors out there (no idea what he used them for) and there's an old wood lathe. I'm thinking that somehow I might be able to make me a decent tumbler on the cheap.
The wood lathe is very basic, but I think it would be a good basic frame to modify into a tumbler. The main bar is square stock, so clamping or bolting to it will be solid. The maximum length capacity for a turned piece is 23", so for tumbling I'd guess I could have two 10" long barrels, maybe 10-12 pounds each (?). The pully is 3" OD, 2.25" diameter in the channel. If the pully were to be replaced, clearance would only allow up to 3.5" OD, maximum. It's obviously very old, and built like a tank.
There are probably about a dozen various motors out there. What is the general range of HP and RPMs I'll need, based-on two 12 pound barrels? I'd imagine they're all 110v, reasonable power draw (amps).
Any ideas on something to make into cheap barrels? At 10" long, I'd need what ... 6-8" diameter for 12 pounds of rock?
This seems like it wouldn't be too difficult to rig-up. I think the hardest part will be getting the barrels rolling at the right speed ... motor speed versus pully sizes.
Anyone have experience with this sort of thing? I never really gave serious consideration to doing this sort of thing before, but it seems like the basic parts have sorta fallen in my lap, so ...
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49er
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 753
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Post by 49er on Oct 22, 2008 23:44:36 GMT -5
Sounds like you have the makings for a tumbler. Go-for-it. Let us know how it works out.
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Oct 23, 2008 11:50:42 GMT -5
You probably could modify it too turn rock .... what about plastic pipe for barrels
Dennis
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