quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,334
|
Post by quartz on Feb 18, 2020 23:22:45 GMT -5
whyofquartz, this will give you an idea of the stud end cover attachment. These barrels are 6" x 10" long, one gallon capacity, or ~12lb. The fixed end is attached w/drywall screws, the removable cover attached with hanger bolts [wood screw threads on one end and machine threads on the outboard end], inner tube or soft pond liner makes good gaskets. The downside to building this way is the pretty much necessity of having a lathe to turn the barrel ends and end caps; I have one. The machine in the picture had run near non-stop for 5 years the last time I saw the owner, he is very pleased with it.
|
|
|
Post by parfive on Feb 19, 2020 0:24:59 GMT -5
Whew! For a minute there, I thought that tumbler was sitting on a four foot by whatever sheet of plywood and I’m wondering who the hell loads that monster? Coulda used a for scale cause I looked before I read. Am I seeing it right, Larry . . . the top barrel rolls on the bottom one?
|
|
Benathema
has rocks in the head
God chased me down and made sure I knew He was real June 20, 2022. I've been on a Divine Mission.
Member since November 2019
Posts: 703
|
Post by Benathema on Feb 19, 2020 3:03:44 GMT -5
I agonized over what to get next when I just had the Lortone 33B. I tricked myself into thinking that I'd use the 3 lb barrels as my "big" ones and then get a 3x1.5B as my "small" ones for finishing. I don't think I'd call it a mistake, as I now have a bunch of small barrels and the versatility of finishing multiple small batches.
A QT12 and a QT66 converted to a 12, later... It's the 33B that's handling small stones for finishing. There is a night and day comparison to how much coarse shaping can be done in a 3 lb versus a 12 lb barrel (6 lb even). I've read threads here before that compare going from 3 lb to 6 lb akin to culture shock, and that 12 pounders are monsters. I'd echo that sentiment... I'd echo that sentiment.
So what's my answer? Both. More barrels and bigger barrels. If I were to start over knowing what I know now I'd skip going smaller. So, either more of the same size you have, or bigger, depending on your budget of course.
Another thing: The insides of the 1.5 lb barrels are smooth. These need to be properly loaded to get the right tumbling action. If the rock or water levels are off the rocks just slide up and down the barrel, not tumbling correctly. The 3 lb barrels have little ridges on the inside to make sure things get lifted. The 4, 6, and 12 lb barrels have the polygon sides and lift material pretty good.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
|
Post by jamesp on Feb 19, 2020 5:51:02 GMT -5
THIS IS whyofquartz, this will give you an idea of the stud end cover attachment. These barrels are 6" x 10" long, one gallon capacity, or ~12lb. The fixed end is attached w/drywall screws, the removable cover attached with hanger bolts [wood screw threads on one end and machine threads on the outboard end], inner tube or soft pond liner makes good gaskets. The downside to building this way is the pretty much necessity of having a lathe to turn the barrel ends and end caps; I have one. The machine in the picture had run near non-stop for 5 years the last time I saw the owner, he is very pleased with it.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
|
Post by jamesp on Feb 19, 2020 5:51:20 GMT -5
A whyofquartz, this will give you an idea of the stud end cover attachment. These barrels are 6" x 10" long, one gallon capacity, or ~12lb. The fixed end is attached w/drywall screws, the removable cover attached with hanger bolts [wood screw threads on one end and machine threads on the outboard end], inner tube or soft pond liner makes good gaskets. The downside to building this way is the pretty much necessity of having a lathe to turn the barrel ends and end caps; I have one. The machine in the picture had run near non-stop for 5 years the last time I saw the owner, he is very pleased with it.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
|
Post by jamesp on Feb 19, 2020 5:51:40 GMT -5
REAL TUMBLER !! whyofquartz, this will give you an idea of the stud end cover attachment. These barrels are 6" x 10" long, one gallon capacity, or ~12lb. The fixed end is attached w/drywall screws, the removable cover attached with hanger bolts [wood screw threads on one end and machine threads on the outboard end], inner tube or soft pond liner makes good gaskets. The downside to building this way is the pretty much necessity of having a lathe to turn the barrel ends and end caps; I have one. The machine in the picture had run near non-stop for 5 years the last time I saw the owner, he is very pleased with it.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
|
Post by jamesp on Feb 19, 2020 5:57:55 GMT -5
whyofquartz, this will give you an idea of the stud end cover attachment. These barrels are 6" x 10" long, one gallon capacity, or ~12lb. The fixed end is attached w/drywall screws, the removable cover attached with hanger bolts [wood screw threads on one end and machine threads on the outboard end], inner tube or soft pond liner makes good gaskets. The downside to building this way is the pretty much necessity of having a lathe to turn the barrel ends and end caps; I have one. The machine in the picture had run near non-stop for 5 years the last time I saw the owner, he is very pleased with it. Damn it Man ! Am I seeing that the bottom barrel drives the top barrel Larry ? Did you make a permanent welding jig for this piece of art so I can copy ? Hat's off my friend, she's a beauty.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
|
Post by jamesp on Feb 19, 2020 5:59:41 GMT -5
They'd be throwing rocks at factory made tumblers if they had a decent home made quartz.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
|
Post by jamesp on Feb 19, 2020 6:09:43 GMT -5
jamesp is that shaft something General Sherman left behind when he burned Atlanta? The Union was beat down by those shafts joshuamcduffie. The rebels ran half of Sherman's troops into South Carolina when they saw those shafts in their hands. That little tumbler will roll a 40 pound barrel without any sag in the shafts. Also, the bigger 1 inch bearings last longer, so the big shafts. My big tumbler uses 1.5 inch shafts, and monster bearings. 365/year takes a toll on bearings.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
|
Post by jamesp on Feb 19, 2020 6:51:37 GMT -5
I agonized over what to get next when I just had the Lortone 33B. I tricked myself into thinking that I'd use the 3 lb barrels as my "big" ones and then get a 3x1.5B as my "small" ones for finishing. I don't think I'd call it a mistake, as I now have a bunch of small barrels and the versatility of finishing multiple small batches. A QT12 and a QT66 converted to a 12, later... It's the 33B that's handling small stones for finishing. There is a night and day comparison to how much coarse shaping can be done in a 3 lb versus a 12 lb barrel (6 lb even). I've read threads here before that compare going from 3 lb to 6 lb akin to culture shock, and that 12 pounders are monsters. I'd echo that sentiment... I'd echo that sentiment. So what's my answer? Both. More barrels and bigger barrels. If I were to start over knowing what I know now I'd skip going smaller. So, either more of the same size you have, or bigger, depending on your budget of course. Another thing: The insides of the 1.5 lb barrels are smooth. These need to be properly loaded to get the right tumbling action. If the rock or water levels are off the rocks just slide up and down the barrel, not tumbling correctly. The 3 lb barrels have little ridges on the inside to make sure things get lifted. The 4, 6, and 12 lb barrels have the polygon sides and lift material pretty good. I read that perfectly round barrels have more aggressive action than octagon/hexagon barrels. No idea if theory is fact. Seems like it would be the other way around. I have had round(PVC) barrels slip as you mention. Solution was to speed them up. Even partial slippage will wear PVC barrel walls thru quickly.
|
|
quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,334
|
Post by quartz on Feb 19, 2020 14:52:06 GMT -5
parfive, jamesp, the top barrel sits on, and is driven by the bottom barrel. Part of the idea is to make a more compact machine, and part is to use one barrel by itself for roughing, which takes the most time, and both barrels for rough and finish together. The main frame, or base, is 14 x 16". I built five of these, the only change is that in the other four, I moved the coordinating drive on the shafts in under the guard inside the main drive pulley. I found 3L [3/8"] belts available that worked well with the short length requirement, where I had problems with 1/2", that's why the make-a-belt was used.
|
|
whyofquartz
spending too much on rocks
So, Africa is smaller than I expected...
Member since December 2019
Posts: 316
|
Post by whyofquartz on Feb 19, 2020 16:30:10 GMT -5
whyofquartz , this will give you an idea of the stud end cover attachment. These barrels are 6" x 10" long, one gallon capacity, or ~12lb. The fixed end is attached w/drywall screws, the removable cover attached with hanger bolts [wood screw threads on one end and machine threads on the outboard end], inner tube or soft pond liner makes good gaskets. The downside to building this way is the pretty much necessity of having a lathe to turn the barrel ends and end caps; I have one. The machine in the picture had run near non-stop for 5 years the last time I saw the owner, he is very pleased with it. what is a the manufacturer's intended application for the wheels that are on the ends? they appear to be spring loaded. if i know what they are made for i can find them to misuse for my own porpoises.
|
|
quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,334
|
Post by quartz on Feb 19, 2020 17:12:28 GMT -5
whyofquartz, I assume you are looking at the rollers on the frames at each end of the barrels. Those are rollers made of No. 80 roller chain inner links with one roller removed and replaced with a plastic roller turned to fit the space available. The purpose is to keep the tumbler barrels running in the frame and not moving to one side and rubbing the machine frame. I built these tumblers about as compact as reasonably possible, making the thrust rollers necessary to keep the barrels in place. They are held with 5/16" bolts, not spring loaded. Wow, calling me a "manufacturer", careful, I might go over my ego allowance.
|
|
whyofquartz
spending too much on rocks
So, Africa is smaller than I expected...
Member since December 2019
Posts: 316
|
Post by whyofquartz on Feb 19, 2020 17:46:34 GMT -5
whyofquartz , I assume you are looking at the rollers on the frames at each end of the barrels. Those are rollers made of No. 80 roller chain inner links with one roller removed and replaced with a plastic roller turned to fit the space available. The purpose is to keep the tumbler barrels running in the frame and not moving to one side and rubbing the machine frame. I built these tumblers about as compact as reasonably possible, making the thrust rollers necessary to keep the barrels in place. They are held with 5/16" bolts, not spring loaded. Wow, calling me a "manufacturer", careful, I might go over my ego allowance. i had pretty well sorted out their function, I just presumed you bought them and reporpoised to your own kneads
|
|
quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,334
|
Post by quartz on Feb 19, 2020 19:34:55 GMT -5
whyofquartzI worked as a millwright and machinist in a fairly large sawmill for 22+ years, had access to all sorts of "worn out" and scrap stuff.
|
|
|
Post by uwharrierhyolite on Jan 7, 2021 23:28:06 GMT -5
STAY AWAY FROM TUMBLE BEE, I’d use a harbor freight before that. I own a Lortone 33b, Thumler T and 3 HF Chicago Ele. The Chicago electric has done me well with some slight tweaking, Lortone is my favorite tho
|
|