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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 4, 2012 5:50:32 GMT -5
Got some work done on adding the 2nd story to our homemade tumbler this weekend. Still need to get the rubber hose for the shafts then I can put the doors back on the ends and it will be done. I originally wanted the top shelf to have 6lb barrels and can still do that with small modifications but I came across a great deal on ebay for some 3lb barrels last week. here's the before picture and here's the after pictures thanks for looking, Chuck
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 4, 2012 7:51:24 GMT -5
Now you need to build an ugly one to actually use. That one is too nice to get dirty. Beautiful job.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 4, 2012 7:57:26 GMT -5
John - It cleans up pretty well with the three layers of clearcoat, The bottom row has been running 24-7 for a year and thats how it looks now. Never had a barrel come open or leak yet though (knock on wood).
chuck
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Post by Pat on Sept 4, 2012 13:36:06 GMT -5
I was going to say the same thing. That table is too pretty for tumbling.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2012 13:59:12 GMT -5
Beautiful craftsmanship. I wish I was as skilled.
Curiosity is killing me. Why did you go over and up with a three belt system. Couldn't you have just gone up from the bottom drive pulley straight up, utilizing only 2 belts?
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billg22
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 451
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Post by billg22 on Sept 4, 2012 14:06:41 GMT -5
I was thinking about making one too. I have three 3 pound barrels from a couple of broken Harbor Freight tumblers. I'd add another barrel to make four. What size motor do you think would work?
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Post by Jugglerguy on Sept 4, 2012 14:10:58 GMT -5
Looks great, Chuck! Looks like you have room on the bottom shelf for a few more barrels.
Shotgunner, if you look at the before picture, the "over" belt was already there. I'm guessing that Chuck wanted to power both shafts. Are the top to shafts connected with a belt too?
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 4, 2012 14:12:20 GMT -5
Thanks for all the compliments on the woodworking part, I tend to over engineer sometimes but I hope this is an item that gets handed down and lasts a long time.
shotgunner - With the big 3/4" diameter 36" long shafts you pretty much have to have each shaft "driven" the barrels are not heavy enough to spin a "free" shaft. On the opposite end thats not shown theres another belt going between the two shafts on the new shelf.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 4, 2012 14:24:03 GMT -5
bill - I am using a 1/3 hp motor that was a freebie but I would say a 1/4 hp would be enough even for (8) 3 lb barrels like this.
I just looked at the "commercial" tumblers to see what size motor they were using for "x" amount of pounds and used that for reference.
Chuck
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Post by Bikerrandy on Sept 4, 2012 19:40:21 GMT -5
That's some pretty work, very clean!! I'd be afraid of getting it dirty. ;D Very nice !
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shermlock
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2011
Posts: 612
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Post by shermlock on Sept 4, 2012 20:21:05 GMT -5
Nice work!
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 5, 2012 22:12:24 GMT -5
HP used 1/3 hp for all their tumblers. 12 lbs and up. "Up" was pretty big, like 90 lbs. or something. When I was in the HVAC trade 1/3 hp motors cost less than 1/4 hp. More common size perhaps.
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miryokutekikame
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2012
Posts: 10
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Post by miryokutekikame on Sept 21, 2012 11:45:51 GMT -5
I love your tumbler. I've been compiling some plans to build my own tumbler and I came up with some plans remarkably similar to yours! But I'm using paint cans and a 1/2 HP motor. I have a question for you. When you doubled the load by adding another story did the rate at which your rocks tumble decrease? And if so, by how much?
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 21, 2012 12:02:57 GMT -5
with our 1/3 hp motor running (8) 3lb barrels is not anywhere near enough load to effect the motor RPM.
you should be aware that running a 1/2 hp motor 24/7 is going to show up on your electric bill.
heavy duty lortone tumblers that spin (3) 12 lb barrels still only use a 1/3 hp motor. Also covingtons commercial 40lb unit uses a 1/3 hp.
Good luck Chuck
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miryokutekikame
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2012
Posts: 10
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Post by miryokutekikame on Sept 21, 2012 12:25:25 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice. I already purchased a 1/2 HP power motor though. I think I will keep a look out for a 1/3 HP now. I am hoping to be able to run 60 lbs at once. 30 on each level with the option of detaching the second at will. I too over engineer. I am trying to find the "sweet spot" at which to get the rocks to tumbler. Until then I am not buying anything else for my build. All I have is the motor and the rocks. And now I find out the motor is too big. Oh well, what you gonna do? Thanks again
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 21, 2012 13:00:57 GMT -5
if you actually had 60 lbs tumbling than a 1/2 hp may not be too much overkill and with all the money it would cost to feed grit into that many barrels the $20 extra in electricity per month wont be your biggest expense. rough estimate is 1 tablespoon of grit per pound of rock each week so that could be 60 tablespoons of grit per week.
Chuck
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miryokutekikame
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2012
Posts: 10
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Post by miryokutekikame on Sept 21, 2012 21:53:03 GMT -5
Thank-you for all your help. I am now thinking about the possibility of getting a second motor, a 1/3 HP for when I am only running the bottom track. Maybe, so I would only use the 1/2 HP motor when I run both levels. It's something for me to think about. Thank-you for the advice, MiryokutekiKame
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megaton
off to a rocking start
Heart of Stones
Member since September 2012
Posts: 24
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Post by megaton on Sept 23, 2012 23:52:26 GMT -5
Awesome setup. Great Job!
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