quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Mar 14, 2013 23:03:50 GMT -5
When I built our 5-gallon unit, I wondered how long the barrels would last, no different than any homebuilder. Went in the shed to get something and noticed the rough barrel was leaking, nuts, probably excess gas pressure. Closer inspection showed a crack about midway along the length of the barrel. Changed the load to a spare barrel, and noticed a weight difference from old to new. I cut a piece out of the old barrel, it measured .110-.120 thick, .125 is 1/8". The barrel started out 7/16 thick [.437]. We have run mostly 16 & 80 grit in it, and lots of very rough and jagged rocks from little pebbles to 8-pounders, pretty much steadly for 11 years. Barrel was blue P.V.C. 12" dia. The end caps were 11/16 thick green UHMW plastic, worn in the center 1/2" deep.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,182
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Post by jamesp on Mar 15, 2013 15:32:25 GMT -5
Hi Larry You got a lot of life out of that barrel.Nice thick plastic is a big help!I bought my first pvc barrel from a fellow on the net name was Bob Leak.He told me to run the barrel very fast to avoid wearing the barrel out.Like an 8 incher at faster than 60 rpm.He said that would keep it from wearing.But it beat the rocks up too much.I think my 6 inch barrels are getting thinner,but at the speed i run at i would have worn my factory rubber barrels out.I was out on a sunny day and noticed light coming thru the plastic in the center between the glue fittings.i am sure they are thinner and will be throw aways soon.Could not care less,i have totured those poor things at 80rpm and nasty sharp agates for 2 years fulltime.The center of the end cap wears too.i just glue another sheet to it... Collateral damage:>
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charles kuchar
spending too much on rocks
getting ready for the second coming
Member since November 2010
Posts: 300
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Post by charles kuchar on Mar 23, 2013 19:25:13 GMT -5
i just got a 12# lortone tumbler base from another friend in our rock club. i got it fixed and was looking for a barrel for it. i see that therockshed has a barrel for it for $61. can i make something with pvc that will work with stuff from the lumberyard? that way i can have a rough barrel and a polish barrel. does that make sense? thanks, charlie
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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 Mar 23, 2013 21:41:51 GMT -5
Charlie, Lots of people on the forum have built barrels using a variety of wooden ends, I never have, always used plastic. Availability and durability being the main reasons. If you can come up with some [the stuff grocery and meat stores use for cutting board mtl. works well], I'd be happy to give you my construction methods in greater detail. You are going to want about 10" O.D. pipe, 7/16" is a minimum thickness the way I build them. 1/2" minimum thickness for the end caps. Hopefully others will respond here, my method certainly isn't the only one. Jamesp builds some pretty innovative stuff, maybe he will join in.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,182
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Post by jamesp on Mar 23, 2013 23:06:19 GMT -5
Charlie-look about 20 posts down in home made-'Just finished 70 pound.....'.You can see my pvc barrels and another pvc barrel from another member.I think they are great barrels.
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charles kuchar
spending too much on rocks
getting ready for the second coming
Member since November 2010
Posts: 300
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Post by charles kuchar on Mar 24, 2013 13:31:02 GMT -5
like those tumblers... I would go broke buying rocks to fill them... I was thinking of a ten inch pvc and I could cap one end but was trying to figure out how to open the other end. compression end is my thinking as the way to go. thanks for the ideas. charlie
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