Post by 88pathoffroad on Jan 19, 2011 15:06:44 GMT -5
I've been tumbling a lot of rock this year and finally got around to inspecting the inside of my tumbler barrel. Holy moly, Rust City!
After sanding the rust off with 100 grit sandpaper, the tumbler barrel shell was washed and dried in the oven at a low temperature to remove all moisture. After taping off the top of the barrel and studs, primer was applied:
Then red paint was applied. Looks like new again!
Next, I've been having a problem when tumbling small scraps of slabs and flat rock in general...they tend to suction themselves to the inside of the barrel liner at the bottom and only catch a polish on one side. Enter one $2 ribbed rubber floor mat from Big Lots. Cut to size:
I used Seal-All contact adhesive and sealant to bond the ribbed rubber to the barrel liner's bottom. A battery on top of some wine bottles and a few paper tubes to help distribute the load across the bottom as the adhesive cures...
The liner was then heated gently in the oven to encourage outgassing of the adhesive for a complete bond.
Next, while inspecting the tumbler rollers, I found horribly scored shafts and wallered-out bushings! ARGH! I oiled them regularly, but never took them off to have a look. This is what happens when your bench grinder is used near the tumbler with unsealed bushings. Metal dust suspended in the oil likely did the trick. I blame myself.
The old bushings, ovaled out:
I ordered new bushings from Shawn at the Rock Shed. Then using a drill, I sanded the shafts down to 600 grit for smoothness. It works OK with new bushings, but I need new shafts now, for sure.
Keep up on tumbler maintenance or it'll sneak up on you!
Ready to roll with polish, plastic beads and rock!
After sanding the rust off with 100 grit sandpaper, the tumbler barrel shell was washed and dried in the oven at a low temperature to remove all moisture. After taping off the top of the barrel and studs, primer was applied:
Then red paint was applied. Looks like new again!
Next, I've been having a problem when tumbling small scraps of slabs and flat rock in general...they tend to suction themselves to the inside of the barrel liner at the bottom and only catch a polish on one side. Enter one $2 ribbed rubber floor mat from Big Lots. Cut to size:
I used Seal-All contact adhesive and sealant to bond the ribbed rubber to the barrel liner's bottom. A battery on top of some wine bottles and a few paper tubes to help distribute the load across the bottom as the adhesive cures...
The liner was then heated gently in the oven to encourage outgassing of the adhesive for a complete bond.
Next, while inspecting the tumbler rollers, I found horribly scored shafts and wallered-out bushings! ARGH! I oiled them regularly, but never took them off to have a look. This is what happens when your bench grinder is used near the tumbler with unsealed bushings. Metal dust suspended in the oil likely did the trick. I blame myself.
The old bushings, ovaled out:
I ordered new bushings from Shawn at the Rock Shed. Then using a drill, I sanded the shafts down to 600 grit for smoothness. It works OK with new bushings, but I need new shafts now, for sure.
Keep up on tumbler maintenance or it'll sneak up on you!
Ready to roll with polish, plastic beads and rock!