tumbler weight

bull32 off to a rocking start Member since August 2008 Posts: 4	tumbler weight Aug 23, 2008 10:22:38 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by bull32 on Aug 23, 2008 10:22:38 GMT -5 So when a tumbler says its rated for 15 lbs does that mean 15 lbs of rocks or 15lbs total weight of the drum with rocks water and all?

Jack, lapidaryrough
fully equipped rock polisher

Member since April 2008
Posts: 1,251

tumbler weight Aug 23, 2008 10:55:49 GMT -5

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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Aug 23, 2008 10:55:49 GMT -5

15 Lbs, Mean`s 15 Lbs...........

Add rock to
barrel just under3/4 full and mix. water to be 1" - 1.5" below rock`s.

Baking soda 1/4 cup.

15 lbs size and larger you can start with 80 grit a let it run for three weeks it well break down to about 220-grit at this point....Ya that Tom K. run`s ? a different table of time to.

Last Edit: Aug 23, 2008 10:56:30 GMT -5 by Jack, lapidaryrough

lapidaryrough

bull32 off to a rocking start Member since August 2008 Posts: 4	tumbler weight Aug 23, 2008 11:36:05 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by bull32 on Aug 23, 2008 11:36:05 GMT -5 Well I filled it up and put the water and all in and the thing weighed 21 pounds. So do I need to take some rocks out?

akansan
still telling self it's just a hobby

Member since January 2006
Posts: 4,075

tumbler weight Aug 23, 2008 11:50:26 GMT -5

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Post by akansan on Aug 23, 2008 11:50:26 GMT -5

In theory, 15 lbs. means 15 lbs. loaded. However, as you have noticed, filled up to 2/3-3/4 full and it's generally over 15 lbs. Depending on the tumbler, you can probably run it just fine overloaded. I admit that I pay more attention to the fullness of the barrel than the weight of it and that's served me just fine during the past 2 1/2 years.

If you remove some of the rock, you'll need to use something to take up space.

Jack, lapidaryrough
fully equipped rock polisher

Member since April 2008
Posts: 1,251

tumbler weight Aug 23, 2008 12:50:19 GMT -5

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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Aug 23, 2008 12:50:19 GMT -5

The Tumble `s engineers, new this when the tumble was designed, and most equipment is design to run at 2/3 rds design spec`s. which is the 15 Lbs. as stated in tumbler spec`s.

As long as the barrel is 3/4 full, this is best for running a load.

Jack

lapidaryrough

88pathoffroad spending too much on rocks Oregon ROCKS! Member since August 2008 Posts: 305	tumbler weight Aug 31, 2008 16:54:17 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by 88pathoffroad on Aug 31, 2008 16:54:17 GMT -5 I have a Thumler's Model B (15 lb) and 10-12 lbs is the limit for what I can get in it at 2/3-3/4 full. I weigh the rock before putting it in to make sure I get the right amount of grit in there.

deb193redux In Memoriam RIP Daniel Bontempo (1959 - 2022) Member since September 2007 Posts: 6,010	tumbler weight Aug 31, 2008 18:08:06 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by deb193redux on Aug 31, 2008 18:08:06 GMT -5 If you can only get in 10lbs, I wonder if you have enough small sized rock. With a good range or sizes, it should be heavier.

johnjsgems gets rocks for Christmas Member since August 2007 Posts: 6,959	tumbler weight Sept 1, 2008 7:05:19 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by johnjsgems on Sept 1, 2008 7:05:19 GMT -5 Lose the scale and fill the tumbler to 3/4 full with a good size mixture of rock.
	John at JS Gems www.jsgemslapidary.com

ejs
spending too much on rocks

Member since July 2008
Posts: 478

tumbler weight Sept 1, 2008 8:44:25 GMT -5

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Post by ejs on Sept 1, 2008 8:44:25 GMT -5

I understand the tendency... when I first started to tumble with my Lortone 3A, I would add rocks, grit, and water. Then I'd take out rocks to get the total barrel weight down to 3lb. Eventually I realized that this didn't help matters! Now I just use a ruler to verify that I am filling with rocks to 3/4 (or just below, not over), then add grit and water and tumble away.

Condor
driving up their electric bill

Woodward Agates

Member since February 2005
Posts: 2,772

tumbler weight Sept 1, 2008 9:08:12 GMT -5

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Post by Condor on Sept 1, 2008 9:08:12 GMT -5

Sept 1, 2008 7:05:19 GMT -5 johnjsgems said:

Lose the scale and fill the tumbler to 3/4 full with a good size mixture of rock.

Here, here. I agree with this statement. Does it really matter? All I care about is tumbling the dang things. The weight to me is irrelevent. Never had a problem with it either.

Condor

Walking through the land where every living thing is beautiful. Why does it have to end? (Thom Pace, theme song to Life and Times of Grizzly Adams.)