new here building a tumbler

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payton
starting to shine!

Member since July 2006
Posts: 26

new here building a tumbler Jul 15, 2008 20:21:13 GMT -5

Quote

Post by payton on Jul 15, 2008 20:21:13 GMT -5

i ordered everything i need to finish my home built rock tumbler. it should all be here tomorrow when i get home from work and i would like to get it set up and going as fast as possible. i plan to start with some glass because i haven't collected any rocks yet.

but first i need some help getting everything set up. i will be using 4" pvc as my barrel. how does this relate to a 3lb or 6lb barrel? what size pices should i be putting into it?

how fast should it spin? i will have many different pulleys and the motor has 2 speeds so i should be able to get close to whatever is best.

i got the parts for the 4" barrel for about $5 for a 1 foot barrel and it would be about $15 for a 6" one. would it be wise to eventually switch to 6" or should i just extend the shafts and run more 4" ers?

right now i don't have any grit but have read that sand will work fine for glass until its ready to be polished. when i buy grit i would like to go with the method of use corse and let it slowly break down until you are ready to polish. how much grit would i use for a X pound load of glass?

im sure i will think of mare questions but any answers would be a great help.

Payton

Last Edit: Jul 15, 2008 20:21:39 GMT -5 by payton

rockrookie
still telling self it's just a hobby

Member since March 2008
Posts: 4,962

new here building a tumbler Jul 15, 2008 21:32:46 GMT -5

Quote

Post by rockrookie on Jul 15, 2008 21:32:46 GMT -5

hi Payton !! welcome to the board . i am tumling some glass slag now ,i used about 1 TBSP per lb it seemed to work well . i have not finished polish stage yet [2 days left ] i'm sure your ?? will get ans. there is tons of experienced & helpful people here .. sounds like you have a neat tumbler .. try buy -sell- trade section lots of great deals also The rock shed {shawn ] has good material that is the only place i buy grit& polish good luck !!have fun tumbling ---paul

--paul

Saskrock fully equipped rock polisher Member since October 2007 Posts: 1,852	new here building a tumbler Jul 16, 2008 0:13:11 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Saskrock on Jul 16, 2008 0:13:11 GMT -5 Check out this, for some good info on tumblers and other things. tomaszewski.net/Kreigh/Minerals/Homemade.shtml
	Scott

payton
starting to shine!

Member since July 2006
Posts: 26

new here building a tumbler Jul 16, 2008 21:00:48 GMT -5

Quote

Post by payton on Jul 16, 2008 21:00:48 GMT -5

well i got everything put together except the barrel. the hardware store was closed so i had to steal a v-belt from another project and it was about an inch to long but seems to work alright turning the Gatorade bottle full of pebbles and water. still dont know about the rpm's but im sure i will get an answer sometime. i will post pics tomorrow.

Payton

payton
starting to shine!

Member since July 2006
Posts: 26

new here building a tumbler Jul 16, 2008 23:49:46 GMT -5

Quote

Post by payton on Jul 16, 2008 23:49:46 GMT -5

after running for a few hours the motor started to smell hot. i took the bottle off and let it spin just the shaft and i could still smell it. i then took the belt off and let it run with just the pulley and the smell went away unless you put your nose about a foot from the motor. the motor is from an old box fan. is this normal for a motor that has not been used in 10 or more yeas?

any help is great,
Payton

johnjsgems
gets rocks for Christmas

Member since August 2007
Posts: 6,959

new here building a tumbler Jul 17, 2008 9:02:31 GMT -5

Quote

Post by johnjsgems on Jul 17, 2008 9:02:31 GMT -5

If the motor says "thermally protected" it will shut itself off if it overheats. If not it will overheat and possibly burn up. You should blow out the motor windings with air and put a couple of drops of light weight oil if it has oilers. You might find the box fan blade pulled air through the motor for cooling which you don't have with a tumbler. Most small tumbler motors have a small cooling fan inside to keep the motor cool.

John at JS Gems

www.jsgemslapidary.com

payton
starting to shine!

Member since July 2006
Posts: 26

new here building a tumbler Jul 17, 2008 14:38:47 GMT -5

Quote

Post by payton on Jul 17, 2008 14:38:47 GMT -5

the motor doesn't say thermally protected but this morning i turned it on and sprayed some silicon lube in it and now it is running much cooler and only smells if you put your face next to it and sniff. i may build a box over the motor and put some small hair dryer or computer fans on it to push air threw the motor.

Payton

payton starting to shine! Member since July 2006 Posts: 26	new here building a tumbler Jul 18, 2008 14:20:05 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by payton on Jul 18, 2008 14:20:05 GMT -5 ok i got the pictures and think i resized them right.

payton starting to shine! Member since July 2006 Posts: 26	new here building a tumbler Jul 19, 2008 11:12:48 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by payton on Jul 19, 2008 11:12:48 GMT -5 today i put a fan on the shaft so it (hopefully) pulls threw the motor. i timed it and with the small pulley on the motor it turns at 29 rpm. anyone kno if this is goot for something 4" in diameter? Payton

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