Post by quartz on Feb 20, 2010 12:01:19 GMT -5
Just found this site and did lots of reading, great stuff. Went through lots of homemade tumbler stories, so I thought I'd add a few ideas I use. I've built tumblers from one quart barrel [for sunstones] to a 5-gallon each, double barrel set, for bigger stuff. My preference for barrels is P.V.C. pipe thicker than 3/8 ". I use flat plastic sheet at least 1/2" thick for end caps, with the fixed end sealed w/good silicone caulking or Weld glue, and held down with drywall screws, with a gasket of truck innertube between barrel and cap. The removable end is retained by hanger bolts , again gasketed with innertube. All screw holes must be predrilled. Built a one-gallon double barrel set for a former co-worker [retired] out of 6"P.V.C. electrical conduit that has run near nonstop for 1 1/2 years and he is absolutely happy with it. The flat plastic sheet takes some scrounging, found some at a buiness that was moving, and got a bunch from a cutting board replacement at the deli at a local grocery store. On a one gallon barrel, about 12 pound capacity, I use 8 screws on each end for an even pull down. I do have a lathe at home, helps get things round and flat. I found that using thumbscrews on the removable end is hard on fingers, so I use nuts and washers for retention, tightening only enough to slightly "pooch" the gasket. This is long, but hopefully helpful to someone, not good at posting pics, I'll have youngest help out.
