mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Sept 30, 2012 18:57:31 GMT -5
Well, she had a good run. My Lortone 3A motor has given out after 20 years of service. I'm a bit torn between replacing the motor or adding a new DIY tumbler to my shop. I found the replacement motor on RockShed for $24... what do ya'all think? Should I fix it up or build a whole new one that can tumble more weight?
Thanks, Michael
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 30, 2012 19:08:02 GMT -5
going to a homemade tumbler only makes sense if you really want to do a large quanity. The only regret I have is there have been a few times where I have only had a couple 3lb barrels running on mine and that really stinks when you are paying to have a 1/3 hp motor running for just that amount. I guess the other factor to keep in mind is how much grit you will go through by going to more barrels or larger barrels. You can build one capable of running 24-36 lbs for around the same price as a new lortone 33B dual 3lb tumbler would cost.
Chuck
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Sept 30, 2012 22:53:53 GMT -5
I agree with chuck... I'm looking to build a tumbler that will have a piece of 10" x 24" pipe on it to tumble large loads of small rock for gardens and what-not, but when not doing that I want to be able to run multiple 3-4 QT66 tubs on it...
the draw back is that the cost to run it when not using the large barrel is still large and the production will be smaller, but at least it would be continuous with 3-4 barrels going all the time. If you plan to be able to run multiple barrels, 2-3 barrels for stages 1-3 and 1 for polish at the same time that's fine if you will keep them all running continuously, but anything other than that can get expensive in the long run.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Oct 1, 2012 21:54:57 GMT -5
I'd like to offer a bit of experienced advice to you homebuilders; don't make your barrels much over a foot long. Our double 5-gallon unit started out as a single barrel 24" long [12" PVC]. Reaching that far down into the snot [especially when it gets to smelling a little like a sewer pipe because of gassey rocks] gets most unpleasant. I cut it into 2 barrels a foot long each, much happier. I think it works better that way too. The Dad_Ohs: I like your thought of being able to run a selection of barrels at the same time, good thought.
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Oct 3, 2012 9:54:17 GMT -5
Thank you for the input everyone! I lucked out and got some new equipment off craigslist!
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