earthdog
Cave Dweller
Don't eat yellow snow
Member since June 2006
Posts: 2,731
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Post by earthdog on Mar 9, 2005 0:19:43 GMT -5
I had a small load of picture jasper to start, and no open barrel, have a Lortone #3 tumbler machine just sitting there without a barrel. I was complaining to the wife that I need some extra barrels, she suggested I use a jar the right size. I found a mason jar that is symmetrical from top to bottom, (or should I say not tapered from top to bottom.) And it fits and rolls great. It is smaller than a #3 barrel so it spins faster, about 60 rpm. I filled it up with about a pound and a half of the jasper added my grit, and pellets to cushion. I also put duct tape around the top and bottom of the jar for it to ride on the rollers, (to cushion it.) It has been on there about 5 days now and is making good slurry. And the neat thing is I can see it working without taking the lid off. No leaks either. I know the grits will wear the glass down, but I wonder how long I could use this set up, before glass gets to thin. The mason jar is pretty thick glass to begin with, more so than a sauce jar type of thing. Any thoughts on this?
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Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
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Post by Banjocreek on Mar 9, 2005 1:00:55 GMT -5
Hey earthdog- I'm a pretty pragmatic guy, so if it works...go with it. But I am surprised the stuff doesn't just slide down the side. Did you add anything inside the jar to get the rocks to 'trip' and tumble so they don't just come out flat from sliding? As far as how long it will last; you may be able to answer that for all of us in a couple of months or so. ;D
-Banjo
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on Mar 9, 2005 8:11:28 GMT -5
'You are a brave soul! I can't believe the jar hasn't broken from the rocks banging around inside! Ya' know you can make a barrel from PVC also. Somebody on the forum has done that. Can't remember who though. (I have that CRS disease!) llana
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earthdog
Cave Dweller
Don't eat yellow snow
Member since June 2006
Posts: 2,731
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Post by earthdog on Mar 9, 2005 9:11:16 GMT -5
I added pellets to the load to cushion everything, and have a lot of different size rocks in there. They seem to be tumbling very well instead of sliding against the glass. The jar is also ¾ full of rock, pellets and water and grit, they don’t seem to be crashing around. The way I figure it, the worst that will happen is I will have to clean up a mess some morning off of the workbench. I just hope that if/when that happens the wife will see it first, then I can tell her “I should have gotten those new barrels”. We’ll see how it goes.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Mar 9, 2005 10:42:15 GMT -5
Hey now that is using your head- If it works You win (ie tumbling barrel) if it does not work You WIn (wife aggrees to let you get the right barrels) Congrates!
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Duckbean
fully equipped rock polisher
Looking for rocks in all the wrong places
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,072
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Post by Duckbean on Mar 9, 2005 23:49:57 GMT -5
I like the way you think!The next time I need a new barrel, if I get any greif from her I'm looking for a mason jar. She hates messes! Bob
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Mar 10, 2005 10:15:54 GMT -5
Good luck ... it sounds like it might just work We use Mason jars to can vegtables from our garden ... and if I was to start using the Mason jars for my rocks ... I would definitely have a knot on my head! Keep us up to date, John
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