dav
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2024
Posts: 8
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Post by dav on Oct 18, 2024 14:06:04 GMT -5
Hi all, I kinda know how this is going to go but I have to ask in case anyone's tried it.
I have 2 Lorton 33B's running side by side. I have extra barrels and wondered if anyone has tried to stack a barrel on top of those already running normally. I did it momentarily and voila I had 5 barrels spinning instead of the normal 4.
I understand the risk to the motor with extra weight but I'm waiting to get my 3rd Lortone tumbler sent to me and was just curious if anyone has tried this to increase tumbling capacity.
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Mark K
Cave Dweller 
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,818 
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Post by Mark K on Oct 18, 2024 14:37:39 GMT -5
If you like having 2 working tumblers, I would refrain from pressing your luck.
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dav
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2024
Posts: 8
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Post by dav on Oct 18, 2024 15:23:05 GMT -5
Thanks Mark, I appreciate your response. I do know that's the right answer, I'm just curious if anyone in this creative forum has tried such a thing.
I've always been a rock guy, picking some up while hiking, fishing, etc, but just got into tumbling/sawing in the past year. I now also buy lots of rocks and have 2 Lortone 33b's with another on the way, 2 Rebel 17's, 1 Raytech Vibe 5, and a little National Geographic tumbler. These all run 24/7 unless I'm on vacation. I now have 4 extra barrels so I'm trying to figure out how to either tame my obsession (probably won't happen) or continue to increase capacity with my current equipment. I know the Lortone's have been touted to run for decades and motors are relatively cheap so I was just assuming I wasn't the first to think about this.
Thanks again sir!
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jimg
starting to shine!
Member since July 2024
Posts: 27
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Post by jimg on Oct 18, 2024 17:50:51 GMT -5
Since Murphy is alive and well in my shop, the two extra barrels would walk right off and on to the floor!
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dav
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2024
Posts: 8
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Post by dav on Oct 18, 2024 18:20:32 GMT -5
You're exactly right, and Murphy is alive and well in my shop too, and they will easily do that. I was going to build a jig with basically a stop at each end so when the barrels rolled to one side they would hit a stop, just like they do normally when on the tumbler rails.
After a year of tumbling it still actually kind of drives me crazy that my barrels roll to the stops even when I use cardboard shims the barrels don't reliably stay centered in the tumbler. My barrels don't care if they are level, the loading in them always changes and they drift to one end or the other all the time. So basically I'd have to make a physical stop to avoid creating a mess.
Maybe I just let that idea of increased capacity just remain an "idea" and not pursue it... ;-)
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dav
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2024
Posts: 8
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Post by dav on Oct 18, 2024 18:24:16 GMT -5
I also thought putting 2 barrels on top of the existing barrels might be pushing it. I only experimented with 1. Although I admit I thought about 2, ha!
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,157
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Post by dshanpnw on Oct 18, 2024 19:15:46 GMT -5
I did it with one Thumlers 3 lb barrel on top of two Lortone 33bs. I was using it to dry polish something so it wasn't really heavy. I had to rig up a contraption to keep the barrel from moving forward or backwards, and it worked, but the stones never polished.
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dav
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2024
Posts: 8
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Post by dav on Oct 18, 2024 19:50:28 GMT -5
Well that's awesome, I knew somebody had to try it! Sorry to hear it didn't work out, it's funny sometimes when I dry polish it's great and other times I'm underwhelmed. I was thinking about being careful with weight too, I have some amber I've been thinking about dry polishing, maybe I'll try that... If you can remember your "contraption" to keep them in place I'd love some clues on what you did! Thanks for replying to my post!!!
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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 Oct 18, 2024 21:18:33 GMT -5
I built five of these 14 years ago, granted scratch built not modifications to a factory made one, they have worked well. Each barrel is one gallon, or about 12 pound capacity.   |
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dav
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2024
Posts: 8
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Post by dav on Oct 19, 2024 12:26:54 GMT -5
Wow Larry, That is very impressive. I love the creative use of casters and rubber rollers to keep everything where it should be. I've seen DIY tumblers before but yours takes customer to a whole new level. Great Job! And you made 5 of them! Thanks for sharing, you've given me some ideas!!!
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dav
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2024
Posts: 8
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Post by dav on Oct 19, 2024 12:39:03 GMT -5
Either my typo or that dumb 'ol auto correct got me, of course I meant your great work takes "custom" to a whole new level.
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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 Oct 19, 2024 21:16:05 GMT -5
Thanks dav for the kind words, and to all for the Thumbs-ups. To me, sharing things is a big part of the forum, everyone can get a benefit from something shared, be it ideas or methods. |
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mirkee
starting to spend too much on rocks
Started tumbling a couple of months ago but now have four tumblers. Very interested in the hobby.
Member since March 2024
Posts: 125
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Post by mirkee on Oct 19, 2024 22:37:48 GMT -5
beautiful work on that green machine! If one wants increased capacity, the easy way would be a Harbor Freight for $69, maybe less with coupon. Or just a highland park 2x3 or even the larger ones coming out soon.
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dav
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2024
Posts: 8
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Post by dav on Oct 20, 2024 16:59:30 GMT -5
Thanks Larry, I appreciate your spirit of help us all learn through your experiences!
Thanks also Mirkee, our local Harbor Freight is out of stock on the old 2 barrel tumbler, looks like they are replacing "Chicago Electric" one with one from a company called "Central Machinery." It's also $69 and has 2 3lb barrels. I need to find if these ones have any kind of thermal protection on them. If you can get one of the old Chicago Electric ones, they are selling them at the stores only for $30 until they are gone. Unfortunately the store close to me is already sold out.
I am intrigued by the Highland Park machine you mention, I'd like to try a "direct drive" unit and see how they do compared to the belt driven ones I currently have. Right now the Highland Park 2x3 tumblers also appear to be sold out.
Thanks again all!
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Post by Bob on Oct 31, 2024 16:08:38 GMT -5
...so I was just assuming I wasn't the first to think about this... You are not. I have been thinking about it for several years. But had not yet figured out what first step to take, because the frame to make it work seemed complicated because I know the top barrel needed to be removed easily to get to the bottom barrel, while also keeping the top barrel perfectly aligned so the tangential contact would be right on. The person that posted the pic in this thread did it! The side hinge would make getting it off and on pretty quick. |
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