skipmeister
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2023
Posts: 21
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Post by skipmeister on Feb 20, 2023 11:02:01 GMT -5
Let's be real: Nobody needs to invent a "better mouse trap" when it already exists: If either the Lot-O or Ultra-vibe industrial Vibratory Tumblers were available today, I would be ordering one: At this point in time there is no clear answer as to when they will be available or at what price point: So, I built a very capable vibratory tumbler from easily sourced components:
I had a Harbor Freight 5lb Vibratory tumbler that I knew would be useless for wet rock tumbling but would provide some very good parts for a totally re-imagined, re-powered, Vibratory that is very easy to build and can be both aggressive (with a full bowl of rock and pea gravel) and also gentle for polishing. Let's get started!!
First Credit where Credit is Due: The use of a "Concrete Vibratory Motor" came from a thread where Chuck installed the motor on a Lot-O with good results: Thank You...!
I used the same 30 watt motor to power the HF: As you will see in the pics, I reversed the base and the bowl platform: By doing so I was able to install the motor directly above the springs and directly to the bowel platform: I had some 3/16" aluminum plate that was cut to fit into ( the former base) to which the motor was than attached: It fits in like a hand in a glove: You can use plywood instead of aluminum for the motor mounting plate: In the experimental proof of concept vibratory tumbler I attached a 1/4" plywood platform that rests on the three rubber feet that raises the platform above the motor and also provides for heat dissipation from the motor: The platform has a 3/8" threaded rod for holding the bowl.
Aside from the Concrete motor I also built a motor speed controller into the power circuit: Easily sourced, very inexpensive, and absolutely necessary for harnessing the brute power of the motor: A word about the Concrete Vibrating Motor: ($30.00 ebay or amazon): These motors in same size package can go up to 90 watts: I used the 30 watt-phase 1-110v motor: These motors can be tuned to more or less vibration by opening up either ends and adjusting the weights: However by incorporating a speed control you can leave the motor in its default position ( which is way more aggressive power then you will use) and you can control the vibration: A smooth continuum from very aggressive tumbling to gentle tumbling for polishing: And as you dial back the motor to a vibration of your choice you are at the same time using less electric to run the motor:
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rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,368
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Post by rocknewb101 on Feb 20, 2023 11:55:14 GMT -5
Such ingenuity! I wish I had half the mechanical know-how to put something together like this!  Will be curious to see your first batch! |
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skipmeister
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2023
Posts: 21
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Post by skipmeister on Feb 20, 2023 18:34:03 GMT -5
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rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,368
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Post by rocknewb101 on Feb 21, 2023 9:30:30 GMT -5
Nice! Looks like it's doing its job! I love beach finds Looking good!! |
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 21, 2023 12:47:11 GMT -5
skipmeister - I think this is awesome!! Great write-up about what you did as well! Tagging Tommy to see about saving this in the DIY section!
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arentol
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2023
Posts: 20 
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Post by arentol on Aug 1, 2023 23:09:48 GMT -5
Nicely done, but way more mechanical than I want to take on.... I solved the same problem by purchasing a HFT 5lb vibratory tumbler and a UV-10 industrial bowl and just swapped the UV-10 bowl onto the HFT tumbler. I know the HFT "Isn't for wet use", but the reality is that there is no reason the HFT won't do the job just fine as long as you don't put a ridiculous amount of water in it or spill while removing the bowl. Only other risk I can see is not noticing the bowl is breaking down after a couple years and having the bottom crack spilling water over the HFT. But that is easily avoided as well.
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Post by velodromed on Aug 2, 2023 7:29:26 GMT -5
I love the ingenuity here. I’m someone that’s always trying to come up with interesting things to build or hacks to make things work better as well. Don’t quite have your kind of skills yet… but I’m getting there. Good work bud!!
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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 Aug 2, 2023 9:53:16 GMT -5
Lookin good. I put the same motor in my uv-10, works like a charm.
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hplcman
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2022
Posts: 445
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Post by hplcman on Aug 2, 2023 11:05:26 GMT -5
Nicely done, way more mechanical than I want to take on.... I solved the same problem by purchasing a HFT 5lb vibratory tumbler and a UV-10 industrial bowl and just swapped the UV-10 bowl onto the HFT tumbler. I know the HFT "Isn't for wet use", but the reality is that there is no reason the HFT won't do the job just fine as long as you don't put a ridiculous amount of water in it or spill while removing the bowl. Only other risk I can see is not noticing the bowl is breaking down after a couple years and having the bottom crack spilling water over the HFT. But that is easily avoided as well. I LOVE this idea!!! The Harbor Freight 5lb tumbler is $70 and pretty much always in stock. Do you like the results? How long have you been running this set-up? I have a Lortone 33B and would like to try my hand at vibratory tumbling, but am always put off both by the price and the lack of availability of vibe tumblers. This seems like it would be a great way to introduce myself to this technique without a huge outlay of cash. |
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arentol
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2023
Posts: 20
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Post by arentol on Aug 4, 2023 11:14:06 GMT -5
Nicely done, way more mechanical than I want to take on.... I solved the same problem by purchasing a HFT 5lb vibratory tumbler and a UV-10 industrial bowl and just swapped the UV-10 bowl onto the HFT tumbler. I know the HFT "Isn't for wet use", but the reality is that there is no reason the HFT won't do the job just fine as long as you don't put a ridiculous amount of water in it or spill while removing the bowl. Only other risk I can see is not noticing the bowl is breaking down after a couple years and having the bottom crack spilling water over the HFT. But that is easily avoided as well. I LOVE this idea!!! The Harbor Freight 5lb tumbler is $70 and pretty much always in stock. Do you like the results? How long have you been running this set-up? I have a Lortone 33B and would like to try my hand at vibratory tumbling, but am always put off both by the price and the lack of availability of vibe tumblers. This seems like it would be a great way to introduce myself to this technique without a huge outlay of cash. I do like the result so far..... I had to also purchase a very long 10mm socket (for about $9 on Amazon) so I could more easily and quickly remove the nut that holds the bowl in place, but aside from that it works without any additional adjustments. I have only had it for a couple weeks though... I did a two day test-run with some random rocks and it seemed to work perfectly. I have some rocks ready for stage 2 that I will be starting later today, so it will be about a week before it has had a real test and I see how the final polish comes out. |
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schmedtor
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2023
Posts: 2
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Post by schmedtor on Aug 16, 2023 22:18:18 GMT -5
Why is a vibratory tumbler useless for wet rock tumbling. Bear with me, I am new to this hobby.
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Post by velodromed on Aug 16, 2023 22:32:38 GMT -5
Let's be real: Nobody needs to invent a "better mouse trap" when it already exists: If either the Lot-O or Ultra-vibe industrial Vibratory Tumblers were available today, I would be ordering one: At this point in time there is no clear answer as to when they will be available or at what price point: So, I built a very capable vibratory tumbler from easily sourced components:
I had a Harbor Freight 5lb Vibratory tumbler that I knew would be useless for wet rock tumbling but would provide some very good parts for a totally re-imagined, re-powered, Vibratory that is very easy to build and can be both aggressive (with a full bowl of rock and pea gravel) and also gentle for polishing. Let's get started!!
First Credit where Credit is Due: The use of a "Concrete Vibratory Motor" came from a thread where Chuck installed the motor on a Lot-O with good results: Thank You...!
I used the same 30 watt motor to power the HF: As you will see in the pics, I reversed the base and the bowl platform: By doing so I was able to install the motor directly above the springs and directly to the bowel platform: I had some 3/16" aluminum plate that was cut to fit into ( the former base) to which the motor was than attached: It fits in like a hand in a glove: You can use plywood instead of aluminum for the motor mounting plate: In the experimental proof of concept vibratory tumbler I attached a 1/4" plywood platform that rests on the three rubber feet that raises the platform above the motor and also provides for heat dissipation from the motor: The platform has a 3/8" threaded rod for holding the bowl.
Aside from the Concrete motor I also built a motor speed controller into the power circuit: Easily sourced, very inexpensive, and absolutely necessary for harnessing the brute power of the motor: A word about the Concrete Vibrating Motor: ($30.00 ebay or amazon): These motors in same size package can go up to 90 watts: I used the 30 watt-phase 1-110v motor: These motors can be tuned to more or less vibration by opening up either ends and adjusting the weights: However by incorporating a speed control you can leave the motor in its default position ( which is way more aggressive power then you will use) and you can control the vibration: A smooth continuum from very aggressive tumbling to gentle tumbling for polishing: And as you dial back the motor to a vibration of your choice you are at the same time using less electric to run the motor:
l
I love it!! Brilliant design and I’m curious how it holds up for the long haul. What else have you come up with? |
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Post by velodromed on Aug 17, 2023 9:10:07 GMT -5
I really got a kick out of this post, so when I ran across this little thing on Amazon, it made me think. If the larger concrete motors work well in the bigger vibratory tumblers, perhaps this little 2 inch one would work well on smaller ones. If a way could be figured out how to mount it, that is. ** I just figured out a way using two small 540 brushed motor mounts for a Wiltoys, 1/12 electric RC car. I have several of them and it would absolutely work. I think. BestTong DC 12-24V 4000RPM Brushed Vibration Motor Double-Head High Torque Electric Vibrating Motors with 2 Iron Rotating Mass a.co/d/d3yCfIl |
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Aug 17, 2023 14:16:08 GMT -5
You really need to get a Prime Visa!  |
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,622
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Post by dillonf on Aug 17, 2023 19:58:06 GMT -5
I'm starting to collect parts for my own version of a Frankenstein vibratory tumbler . . . I'm a long way away from completion. Some day I'll get together some pics if the thing works  |
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Will be curious to see your first batch!
Serious thought goes into a Chat Box v.2 post. "It Ain’t Easy"
