mgroothuis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2022
Posts: 163
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Post by mgroothuis on Dec 8, 2022 19:58:26 GMT -5
I currently have a dual 3lb Lortone in use and a Lot-o, but I want to start tumbling larger rocks. Before I venture down that road, how loud are 1/4 - 1/2 HP motors compared to a new Lortone QT12? It's almost more economical to build my own custom cabinet/box in the $400-ish price range and get a lot more size options, vs buying a new single-size unit. If they're too loud, it may be a problem. Just looking for real life experience from others.
It's hard to search this question without a bunch of threads discussing loud motor problems.
Thanks
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brybry
Cave Dweller
Enter your message here...
Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,199
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Post by brybry on Dec 8, 2022 20:01:58 GMT -5
My barrels are louder than the motor. My biggest barrel isn't rubber lined so it's the loudest.
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mgroothuis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2022
Posts: 163
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Post by mgroothuis on Dec 8, 2022 21:03:26 GMT -5
My barrels are louder than the motor. My biggest barrel isn't rubber lined so it's the loudest. That's good to hear. No pun intended.
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vance71975
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 760
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Post by vance71975 on Dec 8, 2022 21:32:53 GMT -5
Custom Built is always the way to go, if you can aim for a Dayton Motor they last for ever and are built to handle a lot harder load than they will tumbling rocks. The worst part about custom built is the cost of the barrels to fill it up lol.
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hplcman
spending too much on rocks
Just getting into this....
Member since August 2022
Posts: 414
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Post by hplcman on Dec 12, 2022 11:59:58 GMT -5
Custom Built is always the way to go, if you can aim for a Dayton Motor they last for ever and are built to handle a lot harder load than they will tumbling rocks. The worst part about custom built is the cost of the barrels to fill it up lol. I would love to see a tutorial on a custom built tumbler set-up! I think, considering the DIY mentality of most people on this forum, it would be very interesting!
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vance71975
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 760
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Post by vance71975 on Dec 12, 2022 12:17:31 GMT -5
Custom Built is always the way to go, if you can aim for a Dayton Motor they last for ever and are built to handle a lot harder load than they will tumbling rocks. The worst part about custom built is the cost of the barrels to fill it up lol. I would love to see a tutorial on a custom built tumbler set-up! I think, considering the DIY mentality of most people on this forum, it would be very interesting! I am sure there is prolly one on youtube somewhere! I havent looked yet, but likely will when i am ready to build mine lol
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hypodactylus
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 435
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Post by hypodactylus on Dec 12, 2022 12:35:44 GMT -5
Custom Built is always the way to go, if you can aim for a Dayton Motor they last for ever and are built to handle a lot harder load than they will tumbling rocks. The worst part about custom built is the cost of the barrels to fill it up lol. I would love to see a tutorial on a custom built tumbler set-up! I think, considering the DIY mentality of most people on this forum, it would be very interesting!
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Dec 12, 2022 12:55:59 GMT -5
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jimmie
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2021
Posts: 233
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Post by jimmie on Dec 12, 2022 19:13:09 GMT -5
I built my own.it runs (4) six pound lortone barrel’s. It’s been going for 4 years, changed the drive belt, it wasn’t broken, just cracked and shot. Easy build, best thing I ever did.
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mgroothuis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2022
Posts: 163
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Post by mgroothuis on Dec 13, 2022 16:56:27 GMT -5
This is great. Thank you! Do you have a rough ballpark of cost on this setup? I saw your parts photo in the other RTH forum (glad I found it!). I'd like to build one about 2/3 this size.
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Post by Rockoonz on Dec 13, 2022 23:33:00 GMT -5
With the huge amount of speed reduction used to get tumbler speed from a 1725 RPM motor there is a lot more torque available, a 1/4HP motor will easily turn 100-150 lbs of rocks. Only challenge is that the lower HP motors don't have the heat protection and circuit breakers as commonly as the higher HP. Really important to have that protection for something you want to leave running while you are away, don't want fires.
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jimmie
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2021
Posts: 233
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Post by jimmie on Dec 14, 2022 7:22:59 GMT -5
Just checked to see what size motor on my tumbler.1/4 hp @1725 rpm’s. It’s a Dayton motor, been running pretty much non- stop for 4 years. I turned it off during a hurricane once, for a day. Been happy with the whole set up.just switched to 36 grit, see if I see a difference from 46 grit.
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Wooferhound on Dec 15, 2022 17:33:34 GMT -5
Custom Built is always the way to go, if you can aim for a Dayton Motor they last for ever and are built to handle a lot harder load than they will tumbling rocks. The worst part about custom built is the cost of the barrels to fill it up lol. I would love to see a tutorial on a custom built tumbler set-up! I think, considering the DIY mentality of most people on this forum, it would be very interesting! There are a buncha DIY tumblers on this page . . .
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mgroothuis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2022
Posts: 163
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Post by mgroothuis on Dec 20, 2022 19:28:22 GMT -5
Ironically, after all the back-and-forth, sketches, parts pricing, motor research, etc, I went with a new QT12 from the Rock Shed. I just got into this hobby a couple of months ago and I'm not sure exactly what I'll need in the long term yet. I just know I needed something much bigger than two 3lb barrels. The QT12 can help keep the two 3lb and the Lot-o filled. I have another hobby of growing hostas during the summer, so I'm not sure yet how much time I'll spend in the basement on summer days. One step at a time!
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jimmie
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2021
Posts: 233
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Post by jimmie on Dec 21, 2022 5:34:46 GMT -5
Growing hostas is a great hobby, got tons of different varieties. Enjoy!
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