IslandGirl
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2004
Posts: 19
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Post by IslandGirl on Feb 12, 2004 14:16:39 GMT -5
A question from a newbie...do I have to be concerned about the weight of the rocks I'm tumbling, or just the fullness of the tumbler, i.e., 3/4 full?
Thanks for any info. This board rocks ;D
Linda
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on Feb 12, 2004 14:31:48 GMT -5
Instructions for both of my tumblers say not to exceed the weight of the tumbler.
I use a kitchen scale for weighing my 3# barrel and a bathroom scale for my 6# barrels.
From what I have read various places, exceeding the weight is hard on the motor and detrimental in other ways also - although I don't remember what other ways.
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thewiz
has rocks in the head
"What good is money if you don't spend it"
Member since January 2004
Posts: 735
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Post by thewiz on Feb 12, 2004 14:35:33 GMT -5
that must include the rough, water, pellets and grit in that weight. altough I have 3lbs of rough that won't even fit in my 3lb barrel
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Feb 12, 2004 19:15:03 GMT -5
I have a small (cheap) scale that I just set my 4.5 pound barrel on. I then add rocks, grit and water till it hits 4.5 pounds. I must admit though, I have on occasion run much more than 4.5 pounds. Motor runs a little hotter and you better have good traction on your rollers, but I'm still running. I try to avoid overdoing it too much!
Ron
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Feb 12, 2004 19:17:32 GMT -5
I have a small (cheap) scale that I just set my 4.5 pound barrel on. I then add rocks, grit and water till it hits 4.5 pounds. I must admit though, I have on occasion run much more than 4.5 pounds. Motor runs a little hotter and you better have good traction on your rollers, but I'm still running. I try to avoid overdoing it too much! My 15 pounder I simply go by volume.
Ron
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on Feb 12, 2004 19:27:00 GMT -5
I have a small (cheap) scale that I just set my 4.5 pound barrel on. I then add rocks, grit and water till it hits 4.5 pounds.
That's what I do with my 3# barrel. I use the bathroom scale with my 6# barrel. My 3# is a cheapie and I overloaded it the first batch and it would hardly turn. Since I have been weighing and staying at 3#, haven't had a bit of problem.
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thewiz
has rocks in the head
"What good is money if you don't spend it"
Member since January 2004
Posts: 735
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Post by thewiz on Feb 12, 2004 19:38:32 GMT -5
llanago can you fit a full 3lbs in you 3 lb barrel
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WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
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Post by WarrenA on Feb 12, 2004 19:45:06 GMT -5
I don't worry to much about being overweight more overfull, the motors in my homebuilt tumblers are "heavy duty" according to what is in most store bought.
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IslandGirl
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2004
Posts: 19
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Post by IslandGirl on Feb 12, 2004 20:44:47 GMT -5
OK, thanks people...I may be in trouble ;D I'll keep you posted on how my first batch is doing.
Linda
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hurk
starting to shine!
Member since March 2003
Posts: 37
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Post by hurk on Feb 16, 2004 12:46:18 GMT -5
Linda I wouldn't worry about the wieght so much the 2/3 to 3/4 full is what you are looking for to achieve a good tumble I have a lortone dual 3Lbs... 3 lbs of rocks fills the barrel full and you won't get a efficient grind .The exception to the rule would be with materials like hematite which is iron ore and is very dense you may want to mix this with other stones to keep the weight down hope this helps HURK
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Justme
starting to shine!
Member since March 2003
Posts: 38
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Post by Justme on Feb 19, 2004 22:39:35 GMT -5
The number one reason for motor failure is to overload the barrel. A 3 pound tumbler should have the barrel weigh no more than 3 pounds - rock, grit, water & pellets included. I figure that my 3 pound tumbler handles approximately 2 pounds of rock per load. I am always careful to weigh the barrel on my 5 pound kitchen scale before letting it go.
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shorty
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2003
Posts: 392
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Post by shorty on Feb 19, 2004 23:00:02 GMT -5
i to have a loritone 33b im careful about not overloding it i have not hade now trouble . shorty
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