sak
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since December 2013
Posts: 88
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Post by sak on Dec 21, 2013 2:26:37 GMT -5
Hi all - I'm completely new, I haven't tumbled a single pebble as of yet. But, I'll be an official hobby member "on steroids" ...Christmas day, when I give my 6 year old daughter a highly modified vintage/antique singer sewing machine turned semi-industrial, speed controlled tumbler. My status is... 1) 45lb 80 grit silicone carbide, ordered and the shipment has been completely delayed...hopefully will be here on time.... 2) Tumbler construction not done yet....getting parts has been almost impossible....Working non-stop on this...I plan on sleeping after Christmas. 3) Medium/Fine Grit etc,... haven't even thought about that yet.... 4) Rocks, they are everywhere!!!... in my living room, kitchen, bathroom etc....my daugher was born a "rock hound" and has turned into a "rock hoarder" ....hence why I thought a tumbler would be the answer for Christmas My issue/question is.... I'm using 6" pvc pipes for my barrels. I also got hardened rubber fabricated (in the shape of a paddle - similar to what you would see in a dryer). My question is, does anybody know how to glue hardened rubber to the pvc pipe (fyi it's the schedule 35 dwv green pipe)? I tried posting the pics of rubber etc, but evidently this board has exceeded it's space limit..... Thanks for all your help...... Sak...
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Dec 21, 2013 3:20:56 GMT -5
Looks like you're in a rut, Sak. For now, your best bet may be to get a Lortone QT12 from The Rock Shed (http://www.therockshed.com/). At least then, you'll have a barrel and something to go on for size. And, Lortones are relatively cheap compared to other brands. If you get hung up on your project, it'll carry you through for a couple years until you have everything in order. As for me? Well, I'm a little crazy too. I've been thinking about blowing $700.00 on a C40.
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sak
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since December 2013
Posts: 88
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Post by sak on Dec 21, 2013 3:55:09 GMT -5
Looks like you're in a rut, Sak. For now, your best bet may be to get a Lortone QT12 from The Rock Shed (http://www.therockshed.com/). At least then, you'll have a barrel and something to go on for size. And, Lortones are relatively cheap compared to other brands. If you get hung up on your project, it'll carry you through for a couple years until you have everything in order. As for me? Well, I'm a little crazy too. I've been thinking about blowing $700.00 on a C40. Hi MrCoffee - Well, here's the thing...the Lortone may be the way to go, but, I don't see it getting to me before Christmas...And ultimately, If my grit doesn't arrive, all bets are off (I lose). The grit was supposed to be here this past Tuesday. Regarding my tumbler, I've got most of the critical parts (as of a couple of hours ago). If all goes as planned, my tumbler is designed to handle 2 barrels at a time (approx 13 pds/barrel) And, I just think, my barrels would be much more effective with the rubber paddles somehow installed. I just don't know what to use to glue them in place yet Had I realized how difficult it would be to get parts, I agree with you the Lortone would have been the way to go. At this point, I'd hate to think I was defeated by my deadline. Thanks for your thoughts. Sak...
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Dec 21, 2013 4:21:42 GMT -5
I see. Well, I have an old beater of a Lortone 12 pound barrel, but I don't think it'll get to you in time. The postage would be cost prohibitive, I'm sure. It would have to be shipped overnight. If you think you could stomach the cost of shipping, then maybe we could work something out. It depends on your proximity to the North Eastern part of the United States. The closer you are to that area, the better off you would be.
As for the PVC barrels: I would probably use something like JB Weld. You probably won't need much of a ridge on the sides of your barrels, just enough to create a hump to lift the stones when it rotates. I once fixed a washing machine agitator with the stuff, and it held up pretty good. You should be able to find it at a local hardware store. Keep me posted.
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sak
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since December 2013
Posts: 88
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Post by sak on Dec 21, 2013 4:35:21 GMT -5
I see. Well, I have an old beater of a Lortone 12 pound barrel, but I don't think it'll get to you in time. The postage would be cost prohibitive, I'm sure. It would have to be shipped overnight. If you think you could stomach the cost of shipping, then maybe we could work something out. It depends on your proximity to the North Eastern part of the United States. The closer you are to that area, the better off you would be. As for the PVC barrels: I would probably use something like JB Weld. You probably won't need much of a ridge on the sides of your barrels, just enough to create a hump to lift the stones when it rotates. I once fixed a washing machine agitator with the stuff, and it held up pretty good. You should be able to find it at a local hardware store. Keep me posted. I tried using the pvc (primer & cement) and that didn't work. I thought about jb weld, but I just didn't know if that would hold up being constantly in water. Based on your suggestion, I'll try using JB and see if it works. As far as my rubber, (I wish I could post some pics for you) They are 1 1/2" tall, 7/8" thick, 3 3/4" long. My barrels are 6" wide and I was thinking of putting 2 rubber paddle's in each of my barrels. I really appreciate your offer for the Barrel. But unfortunately, of I don't get the grit, there's not point in a barrel. Now I'm hoping JB comes to the rescue for me... Thanks. Sak...
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Dec 21, 2013 4:54:22 GMT -5
I see on the rubber. Well, you only need about 1/2" of rise. Otherwise, you'll end up tossing the rocks like a cement mixer, and that could lead to chips and other disasters. You want it to stir just well enough to prevent slippage on the sides of the barrels. I wish I could show you a Covington barrel, just so you can see how gentle the ripples are. The action is very effective, too. I would agree about the two rubber paddles in each barrel.
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Post by orrum on Dec 21, 2013 5:25:08 GMT -5
Nobody on here uses anything in the pvc barrels. I dont and mine work great!
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sak
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since December 2013
Posts: 88
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Post by sak on Dec 22, 2013 2:06:01 GMT -5
I see on the rubber. Well, you only need about 1/2" of rise. Otherwise, you'll end up tossing the rocks like a cement mixer, and that could lead to chips and other disasters. You want it to stir just well enough to prevent slippage on the sides of the barrels. I wish I could show you a Covington barrel, just so you can see how gentle the ripples are. The action is very effective, too. I would agree about the two rubber paddles in each barrel. MrCoffee - Thanks so much for your advice. You saved me from a big disaster...I changed my rubber design as you suggested. Now my barrels will have a (2) 1/2" high rubber paddles. Also I've got a piece of rubber attached to the pvc with the JB weld (it'll be fully cured in a few hours) hopefully it will work. As far as the tumbler goes...1/2 the brackets have been welded and secured with bearings... I'm hoping the hobby will be as rewarding as it is building the tumbler.... Thanks for all your help. Sak....
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Dec 22, 2013 2:30:22 GMT -5
You are welcome, Sak. First thing when you get it together, is run it for a few weeks, then check the stones for any sharp edges. They should be starting to round out a bit, much of this depending on the hardness of the material.
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