Rockdogger
starting to shine!
Member since October 2010
Posts: 28
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Post by Rockdogger on Dec 31, 2010 11:26:09 GMT -5
Here are my home made barrels. One is a 3 pounder and the other is a 6 pounder. This was very cheap to make and are very strong. I started by cutting a 4" PVC pipe to the length of a barrel minus 1/2" for the aluminum end caps. I cut 4 1/2" circles out of aluminum stock, I then drilled the holes in the caps to screw into the pipe and counter sunk the holes so the wood screws would be flush with the cap. I then stuck some rubber on the end caps to make a seal for the slurry and rocks. I then careful as I could drilled pilot holes in the pipe for the screws to attach the caps to the pipe. They are not very pretty but will do the job, for less than 5 bucks a barrel. A pic with the end caps on.  And off.  The end caps.  And assembled.  I never made anything like this before and if I were to do it over I would use plexiglass for the end caps with smaller wood screws and an old tire innertube cut to size, rubber cemented to the caps for a seal. I will do this in the future. These things are so tough you could probably shoot them out of a cannon with the rocks in them and they would survive. Thanks for looking. -Rich |
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Post by tandl on Dec 31, 2010 13:42:59 GMT -5
They look pretty good .
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Post by stoner on Dec 31, 2010 20:06:40 GMT -5
These barrels look good. Next time, use 1/8" rubber(floor mat material) and line the inside of the barrel and you can buy plastic end caps to glue on one end and use the removable caps for the other end. The removable caps are made with a thick rubber between two large metal washers and tightened with a bolt and wing nut. I used to make my barrels this way.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jan 2, 2011 8:14:24 GMT -5
Yes, Stoner is referring to "test plugs". They're easy to remove when it comes time to recharge. If you use a typical cap on the closed end, the diameter at that end will be larger than the diameter of the barrel. Cut a coupler in half for the open end.
Chuck
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quartz
Cave Dweller 
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,359
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Post by quartz on Jan 2, 2011 10:47:25 GMT -5
Nice, thoughtful build. One point to think about is using hanger bolts on the removable end of the barrel. A hanger bolt is a fastener with wood screw threads on one end, and machine screw threads on the other, available from good hardware stores and fastener suppliers. The sinking of the hanger bolt into the barrel and using the machine screw end as a stud reduces the constant removing of the screws from the barrel; which, experience has shown, will strip out fairly quickly. As you did, all holes have to be pre-drilled. I use #10-24 screws on smaller barrels such as yours, and 1/4- 20 on larger ones. One helper I've learned is once you get the caps drilled to the size of the barrel pre-drill, center the cap on the barrel and help hold it with large screw type hose clamps, such as those used on car radiator hoses, but longer. If single clamps can't be found long enough, they can be put together to make the reach. After drilling the barrel ends, open up the cap holes for screw clearance. My preference is to use nylon type plastic for the end caps, such as cutting board material [meat cutters and grocery stores replace it fairly frequently] or matl. used as chainway liner in a variety of industrial processes, sawmills and rock processing plants. Over long, I know, but I've built 24 barrels this way, all have proven very durable; sharing experience. Nice build, have fun.
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Post by deb193redux on Jan 2, 2011 13:08:57 GMT -5
What is the best tool for getting nice smooth and square cuts on the pipe. I have some 8" pipe that I have been planning to make barrels out of for ages. I just dread the task of cutting the stuff.
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Post by cpdad on Jan 2, 2011 18:46:24 GMT -5
daniel...take anything with a square edge....it can be..wrapping paper..thin sheet metal...wide wrapping ribbon...heck even a belt.
wrap it around your pipe...draw a line around it on the pipe....cut with anything..dremel stuff...and such....just get close to the line you drew.
the rubber gasket will seal off minor imperfections in the cuts....can smooth out with any type file easily to get closer to line drawn...kev.
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Jan 2, 2011 20:57:02 GMT -5
Great barrels Rich. I've wanted to build barrels like this, but am afraid the noise level will be too much.
Daniel, PVC pipe can be cut with conventional woodworking tools. It cuts quite easily. I've cut it with everything from a hand saw to a circular saw.
Nate
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,359
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Post by quartz on Jan 3, 2011 10:39:21 GMT -5
Regarding the noise factor, yes they get fairly noisey, one solution is to house the barrels in an insulated box; BUT NOT THE MOTOR, it will burn up. We run our tumblers in a utility shed, insulated, keeps it nice and warm in the winter.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,359
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Post by quartz on Jan 3, 2011 10:47:30 GMT -5
Nuts, I just clicked myself out, sorry. Another thing I wanted to say:
When cutting plastic with power tools, be very careful, the stuff is a little more "grabby" than wood, not dangerous, but an extra bit of caution is good. I have rough cut barrel stock with a wood-cutting handsaw, works well.
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Jan 3, 2011 19:03:46 GMT -5
Rockdogger, until you posted your excellent work, who would have know so many knew how to build barrels ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D. Come on people start a thread and post pix of your work too!  Dr Joe . |
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Jan 3, 2011 21:05:12 GMT -5
I've actually got a different thought on a home grown barrel. Maybe now that it's cold out I'll get to it...
Nate
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slabcabber
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 590
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Post by slabcabber on Jan 3, 2011 21:56:36 GMT -5
Great barrels That is what I make mine out of exept the ends. I use 6 inch PVC And for the ends I use a regular cap on one end, and for the other I use a 6" to 4" bell reducer and a 4 inch Conx cap/ plumbers cap. as a cap on the reducer. On the 4inch pipe you can get a 4" to a 2" bell reducer. If anyone would like PM me I will send a picture.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,359
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Post by quartz on Jan 4, 2011 11:41:46 GMT -5
I use truck tire innertube mtl. for the gaskets on the flat-ended barrels I build. Experience has shown to make the gaskets as a ring rather than a solid piece. The center of any tumbler end cap seems to be the place of most wear, the gasket wears through and makes a really effective rock and [especially] grit trap, enough to throw the load out of proper proportion. Thicker gasket mtl. may be O.K., never tried it.
drjo offered people should put up pics., my 5-gallon double unit shows up on p. 5. I've never tried the test plug or end cap barrel ends, would appreciate discussion on these methods with user review of results, always willing to learn and improve.
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