jerryb
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 408
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Post by jerryb on Mar 28, 2006 12:47:16 GMT -5
i got ahold of some 6" and 8" SDR-35 PVC pipe and so i fiddled around and came up with this: total cost: $11.24 here are some more: i'll put a load of rock and grit in later today when i have a few spare minutes. that bit of rock in there is about 4 pounds of driveway rock, i guess it will spin about 10 pounds?? not sure if i want to step up to the 8" pipe though..... cheers jerry
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Post by deb193 on Mar 28, 2006 13:00:33 GMT -5
Neat. What are the specs on the motor. How many RPM. How did you choose the tilt angle? How is the cap on the pipe mounted to the motor shaft?
Later
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Post by stoner on Mar 28, 2006 14:40:42 GMT -5
Now that's cool Jerry. I've seen this type of tumbler made using a 5gal bucket for a barrel, but I like the idea of using 6-8" PVC for a more manageable size. Just a suggestion, as I use ABS plastic for my barrels, try lining the inside of the barrel with 1/8" rubber. It will cut down on the noise and also help keep the rocks from fracturing. I really like the disposable lids too! Good job.
Ed
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Post by Cher on Mar 28, 2006 14:54:47 GMT -5
Ok, you really can't tumble that thing with a balloon for a cover, what are you really using? What's the deal with tilting them? If that really made that much difference doesn't anyone think the tumbler manufacturers would have implemented that into their designs?
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Post by stoner on Mar 28, 2006 15:10:39 GMT -5
Cher, it's just another type of tumbler. It's not a typical rotary and it's not a vibe. By being tilted on a 45 degree angle, the rocks never get anywhere near the top of the barrel, so the balloon is just there to keep the liquid from sloshing out. It's actually a very effecient type tumbler as the rocks are always in motion, both horizontal and vertical. As the barrel turns, they ride up the barrel as well as go around the barrel. I just might have to make one of these.
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Post by rockds on Mar 28, 2006 19:18:07 GMT -5
what type of motor did you use? It looks like a winner to me
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jerryb
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 408
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Post by jerryb on Mar 28, 2006 19:53:57 GMT -5
the motor runs ~35 rpm a great speed for the 6" drum. its a gear motor that was in my grandma's basement, my guess is grandpa had the same idea as me: make another tumbler.
the ballon is indeed the lid, and as stoner said its just to keep the water from sloshing out.
its set at around 30 degrees i found that angle by putting in the rocks shown and watching it tumble. at 45 degrees many of the rocks just rode around on the inside of the "lid" when i lowered it they really sarted to tumble good. i'll see if anyone i know can make a short video clip of some tumbling once i get some rocks running.
cher: you can buy tilted tumblers from one of the rock tumbler companies, don;'t remember which but i saw one.
debs: the little piece of flat steel in the last picture is epoxied to the bottom of the cap and has a 1/4" square hole swedged into it ( actually slightly oversize). the shaft of the motor already had a 1/4" square end.
if you look in the bottom of the drum you can see where i epoxied some strips of PVC into the bottom area to keep things moving.
i am planning on leaving this in the garage to run so i'm not too worried about the noise, unless the neighbors complain!
thanks for looking, jerry
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jerryb
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 408
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Post by jerryb on Mar 28, 2006 19:59:28 GMT -5
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Rockygibraltar
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,404
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Post by Rockygibraltar on Mar 28, 2006 20:05:07 GMT -5
Hey Jerry, I think making a tumbler is a great project. It's tremedous fun to build and have it produce some gems. I think the hardest part about building a tumbler is finding or making a barrel that is just the right size and shape.
Covington still makes a slant tumbler.
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jerryb
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 408
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Post by jerryb on Mar 28, 2006 20:27:54 GMT -5
well its tumbling with rocks and grit now!
i put in about 2 pounds of driveway rocks (granite, quartzite and some rocks that i think are jasper that are common around here), about a pound of moss agate that i got from Jolene, two pounds of flint from eBay and a pound of pet wood from the rock shed. i guessed at how much grit and water to put in. But it looks like it will work.
now we have to wait a week or so.........
jerry
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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 28, 2006 22:00:39 GMT -5
Jerryd do they shape rock quicker then the regular rotory tumbler? I'd guess so, But you will have to let us know. Going to start looking for parts! Wonder just how large PVC pipe comes? Thanks for the idea and pics.
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beechcomber
spending too much on rocks
Summertime!
Member since March 2006
Posts: 345
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Post by beechcomber on Mar 28, 2006 22:31:06 GMT -5
Boy are you crafty! I may have to go searching for a motor....hmmm...
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jerryb
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 408
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Post by jerryb on Mar 28, 2006 22:55:00 GMT -5
Wonder just how large PVC pipe comes? Bristol pipe (not far from my house) makes SDR-35 pipe from 4" up to 21" How much grit have you got? cheers jerry PS: next time i go through bristol indiana i will check at the pipe factory to see if i can get you a second of the 18" stuff!!
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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 28, 2006 23:03:39 GMT -5
Thats real cool. My first thought when I saw the first pic. was a giant suppository. Ouch...
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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 28, 2006 23:06:09 GMT -5
That would make a killer tumbler!It just so happens that I got 50 lb. of grit last month from miles!lol Don't know how long I could afford to feed a 21 inch monster though. The qt 66 is bad enough!
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jrtrio
has rocks in the head
With10 tumblers tumbling the sound is so delicious!Send me more of those little red fellas, please?
Member since February 2006
Posts: 535
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Post by jrtrio on Apr 1, 2006 14:02:01 GMT -5
Cher, if you look at the 8oz tumblers you'll see that they have a very slight tilt to them. And by using the smaller tilt than these bigger tumblers the rocks in the little guys will move from the bottom of the barrel to the top and then tumble down the rest of the load. That's why I think that they can and do a very good job tumbling stones compared to the larger Thumlers and Lortones that tumble rock in a barrel that lies flat. I just don't think they move through the entire load like the little guys. But, as long as the stones take on a shine in a relatively short time I don't care if there is a tilt or not. And remember folks, don't throw out those "toys". Send them to me: Joe Reichard, 2174 Stonehenge St. Newton, NC 28658 I will give them a good home. See? And soon I'll have another to add to the ranks thanks to AgateChaser!:-)
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HarryB41
has rocks in the head
Member since September 2004
Posts: 605
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Post by HarryB41 on Jul 30, 2006 15:53:23 GMT -5
Bumping this and to let you know this looks great!
Harry
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