kokosnood
starting to shine!
Member since April 2020
Posts: 37
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Post by kokosnood on Mar 7, 2023 23:42:26 GMT -5
Hi, My Lortone tumbers keep dying on me. I want to build a simple 1 level homemade tumbler that will hold 2 or 3 "12 pound" barrels and 2 "6 pound" barrels. I read through the DIY Lap Projects "Rotary Tumbler" page but they are too complicated. I don't need to build a multi level unit. I just want a single level unit similar to: I don't like the motor on this guy's setup, but I like the pillow block bearings and the cold rolled steel rods. I would mount the motor properly. This is longer than I need it, but maybe I need 6 pillow bearings for (2) supports in the middle? Where can I buy: rods of 3/4 inch cold rolled steel pillow bearings spacer bearings to keep the barrels separate a motor (I'm thinking 1/3 hp, but maybe 1/4) belts and pulleys Also some sort of rubber to put on the rods. How do you get the rubber on the rods? It seems difficult. I've basically given up on the commercial rotary tumblers. I like the lortone barrels, but the motors and especially the belts don't last too long. Please help me!!! Thanks, Stefan
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,352
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Post by quartz on Mar 8, 2023 0:47:11 GMT -5
have a look at this: Home made barrels using PVC pipe and industrial plastic end covers, cold rolled from steel supplier or local fabrication shop, pillow blocks all over the internet; shop it, prices vary, don't need spacers if all barrels are the same size, motor 1/4 max 1/5-1/8 O.K. belts and pulleys from good hardware store or farm supply, rubber for the rods I use gas line tubing and lube with vegetable oil to help installation, not hard if you have a vise or a hole in a solid table. These things last way better than any commercial one, I've built a dozen of them. Base frames can be made of wood, works well. If I've boggled you with more questions, don't hesitate to PM me with questions. Don't know where you live but I have some finished barrels I'd sell fairly cheap. The motor on this one was given to me by the buyer, he built a "house" around it and lack of ventilation burned it up, had to replace it. These are 8"x12" barrels, I have some 6"x10" ones, hold a gallon or ~12 pounds of rock. This one has garden hose on the rods, gas line tubing {auto parts store} has proven to work better.
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Post by manofglass on Mar 8, 2023 9:48:58 GMT -5
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Mar 10, 2023 21:27:24 GMT -5
Speedy metals is also a good source for steel.
I've gotten pillow block bearings from Northern tool for a reasonable price.
Good luck with your build and post lots of pics!
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Apr 4, 2023 9:26:54 GMT -5
This is about as basic as it gets. I designed this one just to show how simple they can be. Shown with 4 three pound barrels and also with 2 twelves and a six. Motor 4 bearings 4 pulleys 2 shafts 2 belts wood base Chuck
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kokosnood
starting to shine!
Member since April 2020
Posts: 37
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Post by kokosnood on Apr 18, 2023 17:03:39 GMT -5
Chuck, What is the RPM on your motor? How big (outside diameter) is the pulley on the motor? How big is the pulley on the rod (the bigger pulley) ? Why do you have the non-motorized end connected with pulleys? Couldn't the one rod be motorized and the other turn freely like on my commercial rotary tumblers? Thanks, Stefan
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 19, 2023 9:05:26 GMT -5
Chuck, What is the RPM on your motor? How big (outside diameter) is the pulley on the motor? How big is the pulley on the rod (the bigger pulley) ? Why do you have the non-motorized end connected with pulleys? Couldn't the one rod be motorized and the other turn freely like on my commercial rotary tumblers? Thanks, Stefan Without quoting or taggging Drummond Island Rocks, he might not see your questions...so I just tagged him for you.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Apr 19, 2023 9:21:04 GMT -5
Chuck, What is the RPM on your motor? How big (outside diameter) is the pulley on the motor? How big is the pulley on the rod (the bigger pulley) ? Why do you have the non-motorized end connected with pulleys? Couldn't the one rod be motorized and the other turn freely like on my commercial rotary tumblers? Thanks, Stefan Every diameter in the build has an effect on the final RPM the barrel turns. Motor RPM Motor pulley diameter Driven pulley diameter shaft diameter Barrel diameter Every one of those items will change the final barrel RPM. If I use 3/4" shafts and you use 1/2" shafts that means our driven pulleys would need to be different diameters. 1725 RPM is the common motor RPM. From there you need to determine what size shafts you will use and what diameter barrels you will use. From there you will need to get the appropriate size motor pulley and driven pulley to make the barrel spin at the proper RPM. Connecting the shafts is very common in home built tumblers. Not very expensive and adds a lot of traction. Hobby tumblers have one shaft driven but commercial tumblers 20 pounds have both shafts connected. Chuck
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kokosnood
starting to shine!
Member since April 2020
Posts: 37
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Post by kokosnood on Apr 19, 2023 11:20:22 GMT -5
I'm using 3/4" shafts, 8 and 9 inch barrels. I'll be getting a motor that spins at 1725 RPM. I appreciate your help. What size pulleys should I get? Both Motor and driven? Thanks!
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Apr 19, 2023 11:32:58 GMT -5
I'm using 3/4" shafts, 8 and 9 inch barrels. I'll be getting a motor that spins at 1725 RPM. I appreciate your help. What size pulleys should I get? Both Motor and driven? Thanks! Play with this calculator www.blocklayer.com/pulley-belteng1.5" motor pulley turning at 1725 rpm and 10" driven pulley should turn the shaft about 258 RPM. From there the 3/4" shaft with an 8" diameter barrel should turn about 24 RPM. The final calculations are up to you. I stick with a final RPM that matches commercial tumblers such as lortone since I use lortone barrels. Chuck
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kokosnood
starting to shine!
Member since April 2020
Posts: 37
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Post by kokosnood on Apr 20, 2023 10:36:28 GMT -5
Drummond Island RocksThank you Chuck. I think I will go with the 1.5 inch pulley and the 10" driven pulley. That pulley webpage is a little above my level. The pulleys aren't too expensive so I am going to order the parts and then I can make adjustments as necessary. I can move the motor in my planned install so the belt can be adjusted. I'm wondering if I need a 1/3 HP motor? I'm planning to turn 4 feet of tumbling space (minus pillow bearings, pulleys, etc.) I want to have my Tumbler "15 lb" barrel (when full it is more than 15 pounds), 1 or 2 lortone 12 lb barrels (I currently have 1, may add one later) and 2 lortone 6 pound barrels that I have. Can anyone recommend a motor size that will have enough power without wasting electricity? Thank you!!!! '
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