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Post by cpdad on Feb 24, 2006 19:02:16 GMT -5
howdy folks...a lot of you have probably seen this tumbler before...i cant post a link because they ask you not to do so on the site...so you will have to type.....building a rock tumbler....into your search engine.. its the 1 on the 45 degree angle...with the 5 gallon bucket....this type of tumbler isn't quite what i have in mind...but i thought i would pick the boards knowledgeable minds before i laid out my idea...even though I'm pretty sure it has been done by someone before...im looking to do a bunch of smaller peices for a project here at home..1/2" to 1 1/2" peices.
1st..on this angle does anyone have a clue as to how much rock one could get into it on this angle?
2nd..the site said the large rock tumbled fine..do you think smaller ones would also?
thats my first 2 questions...and as always thanks to everyone.
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Post by deb193 on Feb 24, 2006 19:39:57 GMT -5
It does seem like a bit of work to make a metal frame. I am not sure why centering was so important for such a slow RPM, and I wonder if things didn't take a while at that RPM. I wonder if there would be less cracked rocks with a barrel liner.
Just thoughts
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Post by cpdad on Feb 24, 2006 19:44:51 GMT -5
way to much work for me deb( im lazy)..what im thinking will take about 45 minutes to get up and running with a 5 gallon bucket...if that long.
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
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Post by MrCoffee on Feb 24, 2006 20:08:17 GMT -5
Covington has one with a barrel that's oriented similar, and it's a 1 gallon machine. I would go with one of them because I would be more comfortable with the heavier rubber-like barrel (rather than a 5 gallon bucket). They cost around $300.00 or so street price, and I think the time and labor of building the one in that link may end up being more than that. Plus, there's the added maintenance and having to replace 5 gallon buckets all the time. Then, you have to get material to fill that bucket up with and then there's the cost of grit, and a big tumbler goes through a lot of grit in a short period of time. The last point here, is that the requirement of a garage, welding equipment, torches, saws, grinders, tools, time, and materials may be prohibitive for a lot of people. I know I couldn't afford to build it.
MrCoffee
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Post by Cher on Feb 24, 2006 20:12:27 GMT -5
Wow CPDad, didn't take you long to want to get into a bigger tumbler. Just beware, there is no cure for the addiction to rock tumbling, it also may bring you closer to your kids as you go out rock hunting with them.
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Post by cpdad on Feb 24, 2006 20:21:17 GMT -5
a garage maybe..or just covered would work...what i'm thinking i can do for less than $115 easy..as for as the buckets i would have 1 for each stage..also with what i'm thinking you could use any size plastic bucket..1.2.3.4.5. gallon..with a little adjustment.
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Post by cpdad on Feb 24, 2006 20:23:30 GMT -5
cher thats the main plan..something for cp and myself to spend our extra time with.
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Post by cpdad on Feb 24, 2006 21:10:35 GMT -5
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Post by cpdad on Feb 24, 2006 21:29:47 GMT -5
link doesnt seem to be working..www.harborfreight.com..item #91907..slip in a bucket and let it ride.
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Post by deb193 on Feb 24, 2006 21:39:10 GMT -5
I don't see anysale. I get $139. IF you got the sale price, I would do it. If it does not work for rocks, you can always find a lot of concrete projects (ha ha)
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Post by cpdad on Feb 24, 2006 21:45:13 GMT -5
on sale here this weekend...still dont have a clue how much rock it would hold on an angle...guess i just will have to try.
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
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Post by MrCoffee on Feb 25, 2006 1:00:13 GMT -5
Well, if you could line that barrel with rubber and find a cap for it, you'd be all set!
MrCoffee
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KG1960
has rocks in the head
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Post by KG1960 on Feb 25, 2006 8:39:34 GMT -5
I have seen plans for a tumbler that uses a 5 gallon bucket angled at about 45o. Seems similar to your cement mixer idea, I don't see why your idea with the cement mixer wouldn't work.
To get an idea of how much you could tumble, try filling the bucket that you will be using with various amounts of rock and manually roll it on the ground at the same angle that it will be in the machine and see what amount gets the best tumbling action.
If the cement mixer turns at a too high of an RPM, you may get a lot of cracked rocks. Since the cement mixer is belt driven, the RPM can be easily changed just by changing the pulley size.
If the bucket isn't filled so high that things don't spill out as it rotates, I don't think you really need a cover. Just keep an eye on the liquid level because some may evaporate over time.
A suggestion: Since rock tumbling is a continuous operation (and cement mixing is intermittent), I would have a worry about bearing wear in the cement mixer. I would at least install grease fittings and keep the drive gear greased.
An interesting idea you have. If you do it, I and no doubt the rest of us would very interested in how it works out. Good luck!
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jlc0321
spending too much on rocks
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Post by jlc0321 on Feb 25, 2006 19:43:36 GMT -5
Yes, keep us posted on what you end up doing and how it turns out. Jeff
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Post by cpdad on Feb 25, 2006 20:24:06 GMT -5
well..im not sure what i may do now...i had everything figured out..even lining the buckets with rubber...while cooking supper this evening..i kinda explained to my wife what i was thinking...and she mentioned that the tumbler i bought cp from harbor freight was junk...why did i think the mixer would be any different...and i explained buying the extra warranty on the mixer..if the motor burned up they would replace it...i beleive it was 15 months after purchase...then the right and wrong started...you cant do that she said..its not a rock tumbler...its a cement mixer...and i would be dishonest if the motor kept burning up...and i kept making them replace it...so now my ideas..and my mom's teachings are in conflict..(and my wifes)...i think i know what will win out....i think i'm going to check the price of the motors.
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