ratcals
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2009
Posts: 17
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Post by ratcals on Oct 29, 2009 21:52:55 GMT -5
As the title suggests I have an outlandish idea. I really like the feel of stones after they have been tumbled. I recently acquired a Missouri lace agate about the size of my hand and have enjoyed the weight, color and smoothness of it. I don't want to be making pebble sized stones. So, I'm thinking about making a huge tumbling barrel so I can make stones about the size of baseballs. I'm thinking about lining a larger sized container with the tread from old tires and working from there. Any opinions?
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Post by catmandewe on Oct 29, 2009 22:16:38 GMT -5
I have seen old timers that made tumblers out of old tires, the whole tire.
Use 2 plywood circles to close in the sides with bolts holding them on and set the whole tire to spinning on a rotating pipe.
I also know one guy who uses an old cement mixer for the rough grind to knock the matrix off of his morrisonite, he uses a coffee can full of grit with chips and pieces that he has left over from cutting cabs as grit carriers.
Lots of ways to do it.
Let us know how it works...................Tony
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Post by roswelljero on Oct 29, 2009 22:29:58 GMT -5
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ratcals
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2009
Posts: 17
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Post by ratcals on Oct 29, 2009 22:32:12 GMT -5
Good ideas. I'm surprised more people don't tumble larger stones. The concrete mixer idea sounds like a good idea. This is really more of a fact finding idea at the moment but I really would like to pursue it.
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ratcals
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2009
Posts: 17
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Post by ratcals on Oct 29, 2009 22:41:29 GMT -5
That's what I like most about this forum. When someone like me comes along with some hair brained idea nobody shoots it down. Instead they come up with possible ways to make it work. I'm going to do this. Not sure yet how, but I'm going to do this.
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leadhand
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2009
Posts: 262
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Post by leadhand on Oct 29, 2009 23:01:21 GMT -5
Attached are plans for a truck tire tumbler that i got off another board I belong to. Build away
Kevin (aka leadhand)
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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Oct 30, 2009 0:47:12 GMT -5
Here is a link silgro.com/RockTumbling/04_TireTumbler.htm Turf tire`s used in grass seed farming are great, Their about 24" wide. use a thick line rubber ball, Blown up to seal the tire. And load should be about 150 Lbs. keep load level with the side wall rim. I use a metal 24" octagon x 10" wide and load Capacity is a 8 gallon. about 2/3 full. I Do large Brazilian agates in the 24" octagon. Tony is right about the old timer`s, Dad had small loads though, thinking it leak too much. Then the real idea kick in a 16 Gallon oil drum. I Collect old lapidary journals & Gem & Mineral Magazine their were many article`s tire tumblers and stream flow shaft drive from the steam flow too a Jack Shaft Barrel on pulley drive with two rollers shafts, with the barrel resting on the rollers. Though my favorite was the wind mill drive to the car axle with drums bolted too the Lug - Nuts. Double the load, Wow now the brain kick`s in, I found a use for the M-21 Muncie trans, 4 Speed tumbler. Will many ideas out their too grind the large material down. Jack |
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ratcals
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2009
Posts: 17
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Post by ratcals on Oct 30, 2009 1:42:20 GMT -5
Truely awesome ideas and plans. I will definitely give these all a closer look and come up with a plan. I will keep everyone updated. Thanks again for the ideas.
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Oct 30, 2009 5:25:16 GMT -5
ratcals, Welcome, your gonna love it here, the braintrust is astounding. There isn't a soul on here that wouldn't like to find a better/cheaper/faster way to polish rocks, so ideas would be shot down here...just don't be surprised if someone gives you a link to your very next brainstorm  Jack, you forgot my favorite .... the guy who made the trailer with the truck axle, drive shaft pointed up to drive a large barrel on top of the trailer and hauled it every where he went.  ;D Dr Joe . |
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Post by Bikerrandy on Oct 30, 2009 7:03:30 GMT -5
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Post by Toad on Oct 30, 2009 7:15:18 GMT -5
I completed one about baseball size in my 12-pound tumbler. That's my goal this time around with the tumbling to finish more larger stones - still need the small ones to help with the process, but I too want to see how big I can go.
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ratcals
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2009
Posts: 17
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Post by ratcals on Oct 30, 2009 13:12:12 GMT -5
I know they make large scale tumblers but unfortunately I don't have that kind of disposable cash. Besides, making my own looks like a fun project. I'm also a part of a local Jeep club and can get all the old tires I need. I just need to run this by the wife first.
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Post by Toad on Oct 30, 2009 13:22:44 GMT -5
LOL, it always comes down to what the boss will let us do.
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Post by Toad on Oct 30, 2009 17:15:00 GMT -5
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Post by rocklicker on Oct 30, 2009 18:21:35 GMT -5
It's a great idea! I've seen big ol tumbled stones and they look really nice. If you have a 12 or 15 pound tumbler, you can put in a few larger stones. Just make sure you have some regular and small sizes. I cut baseball sized nodules in half and tumble them and they look great. They don't really thump around in the barrel either. The trick is to have a good mix of sizes and sufficient grit carrier aka chips.
Steve
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julietom
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2009
Posts: 57
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Post by julietom on Oct 30, 2009 19:28:04 GMT -5
Hi There! I just posted some videos of some of the tire tumblers Ive built. Go to the home-made equipment thread on here, and have a look. Im happy to provide you with any pointers re the specs on driver shaft distances and so forth. Thomas  |
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ratcals
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2009
Posts: 17
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Post by ratcals on Oct 30, 2009 22:33:05 GMT -5
Well the problem is not so much what the boss will let us do as much as what can I get away with without too much repercussion.
I find it interesting why every tumbler seems to be done with a belt as opposed to a chain. With a belt you have to worry about contaminating it and causing premature wear. So why not use a chain? I'm thinking about using a garage door motor that is already fitted with a sprocket on the shaft. Then using a rear gear cassette from a bike so I can change the RPMs as necessary.
Sound like a good/bad idea?
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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Oct 30, 2009 22:39:30 GMT -5
Well the problem is not so much what the boss will let us do as much as what can I get away with without too much repercussion.
I find it interesting why every tumbler seems to be done with a belt as opposed to a chain. With a belt you have to worry about contaminating it and causing premature wear. So why not use a chain? I'm thinking about using a garage door motor that is already fitted with a sprocket on the shaft. Then using a rear gear cassette from a bike so I can change the RPMs as necessary.
Sound like a good/bad idea? The motor need`s too be Continuous duty rated, Farm Duty. www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/guideBrowse.shtml?xi=xi&operator=sgRedirect&guidePath=~Motors&cat=Motors&stype=CATIDXThis link will help you in the right motor. |
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ratcals
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2009
Posts: 17
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Post by ratcals on Oct 30, 2009 23:54:43 GMT -5
I figured the garage door motor wouldn't work. But what about the chain idea?
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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Oct 31, 2009 1:43:40 GMT -5
chain drive is fine
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;D
