morsefire
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 83
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Post by morsefire on Nov 29, 2011 8:49:33 GMT -5
(Also see updated VERSION 2 on page 2) Just thought I'd share this one. I use it for breaking down some of the larger rocks.  |
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kenney21
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2011
Posts: 4
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Post by kenney21 on Nov 29, 2011 9:05:41 GMT -5
You just throw the larger rocks in, let the machine tumble, and it breaks up the large rocks? Hoe did you used to break up your large rocks? Sounds like a stupid question, but I just bought 20 pounds of larger sized agates from the rock shed,and was wondering what the best technique is.
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Post by Toad on Nov 29, 2011 12:22:25 GMT -5
How long have you been using it. I would think that it just slowly erodes the rock away by chipping/flaking - rather than breaking it into smaller chunks like you could with hammer and chisel...
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morsefire
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 83
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Post by morsefire on Nov 29, 2011 14:30:51 GMT -5
I guess breaking down was the wrong term. The jasper I tumble is heavily sharded and has rather nasty edges. I don't have a saw so pre- 60/90 grit I run them through a mix of pea gravel and clean sand for about 72 hours at low rpm. This is what I end up with. Again, I'm tumbling large rocks.  |
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 29, 2011 19:57:41 GMT -5
Must be pretty quiet at your house. Do the neighbors ask "what ya got, rocks in there?" I would cover the shafts with hose to cut down on wear and tear.
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Post by Toad on Nov 29, 2011 20:06:54 GMT -5
Okay, so cleaning off all the crap so that the grit can go right to work with no waste. Cool idea.
GreÀt rocks too.
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morsefire
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 83
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Post by morsefire on Nov 30, 2011 7:50:58 GMT -5
Yep. You got it Toad. @ John yeah that's next on the list. My neighbors do give me some strange looks.
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Post by paulshiroma on Nov 30, 2011 9:51:14 GMT -5
That's a great setup. Is that a five gallon bucket that you're using?
Paul
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morsefire
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 83
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Post by morsefire on Nov 30, 2011 10:11:14 GMT -5
Hey Paul! Tall six gallon. My gal gets them on ebay for dying fabric. She can only use them once. Then I get them. With pea gravel and clean sand they're good for about 3 tumbles and then they leak. The rocks I put in there are about a pound to three pounds so they take alot of abuse. So far it works great. I put some pretty gnarly rocks in there to start with and when they're done, they're ready for the 60/90 which I tumble in a 3.5 gallon. By the time I'm to pre-polish I'm at a 1.5 gallon bucket.
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WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
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Post by WarrenA on Dec 18, 2011 0:30:31 GMT -5
It is interesting that it takes 3 tumbles before they leak. I am glad that you can reuse the pails
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morsefire
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 83
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Post by morsefire on Dec 19, 2011 8:24:29 GMT -5
Warren, that they last that long? I wish they lasted longer but alot of abuse goes on in those pails!
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WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
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Post by WarrenA on Dec 26, 2011 11:27:34 GMT -5
yes I am suprised that they don't leak after just 1 tumble
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morsefire
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 83
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Post by morsefire on Dec 26, 2011 15:52:41 GMT -5
Where does a guy find 5/8 rod pillow bearings? My zinc steel shows no sign of wear considering the amount of strain I'm putting on them but right now they're just running on 5/8 I.D. tube stock and I keep them WELL OILED. I just built a frame for a two tiered tumbler and I'm thinking it's time to switch to bearings as I'm up to 20#s per load. Any help is appreciated. Signed, the guy that's tumbing big rocks without a clue. LOL!
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Post by sandsman1 on Dec 26, 2011 23:15:14 GMT -5
you got some great reds there very cool rock --- did you say you got them from the rockshed?
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WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
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Post by WarrenA on Dec 27, 2011 0:13:23 GMT -5
check with about any machine shop or industrial bearing place, you might have to upgrade to a 3/4 or so bearing.
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morsefire
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 83
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Post by morsefire on Dec 29, 2011 2:10:44 GMT -5
Sandsman, this is all waste rock from ore mines. Thanks
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Post by mohs on Dec 29, 2011 11:45:49 GMT -5
that's some nice red jasp!
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morsefire
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 83
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Post by morsefire on Jan 11, 2012 18:21:46 GMT -5
So I completed my new 2 tier tumbler frame and the pillow blocks came today. These are VXB P202 pillows made for a 5/8 shaft. I currently have a few feet of zinc steel 5/8 stock. My question is what are you folks running in your sealed bearings and how often are you lubing them.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 11, 2012 18:27:32 GMT -5
Most folks run cold rolled steel for shafts. If your pillow bearings are sealed, they're lubed for life.
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quartz
Cave Dweller 
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,360
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Post by quartz on Jan 11, 2012 23:55:11 GMT -5
I think what morsefire was referring to are re-lubable bearings with a zerk fitting that have seals, rather than metal shields, or open ones that can be lubed with a needle greaser. It's a matter of terminology. I use Union 76 "Omniguard QLT grease 2" as recommended by a Union oil rep. Before using this grease, I had a problem with my previous grease attacking the rubber on the rollers, that stopped it. One of our tumblers has unsealed babbitt bearings and grease has a habit of spreading a little. Not saying it's the only product out there, consultation with any distributor will likely get a good product. I re-lube Our pillow block bearing tumblers with 2 pumps from a small gun every 3 months.
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