deepsouth
fully equipped rock polisher
He who rocks last rocks best
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,256
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Post by deepsouth on Jul 8, 2004 21:15:58 GMT -5
Hi all , How much horsepower do I need to run these two barrels? They are made of solid steel and I got them for $40 NZ yesterday. The tumbling frame was found by my son Henry a few months ago somewhere on a farm as discarded junk. I just weighed one of the barrels and it is 14,5 kilo = about 32 pound. the frame  the barrels  QT6 lortone besides steel barrels  The same man I bought the barrels from , asked me to cut some rocks for him, anyone knows what they are?  and  also a piece of petrified wood  and the big rock sliced  enjoy Jack |
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Post by cookie3rocks on Jul 8, 2004 21:22:52 GMT -5
Wow, that's intresting  What a set up that's gonna be! The slice looks like some form of agate to me. The pits and inclusions are very different. Can hardly wait for you to get it cranked up and roll some of that stuff ;D cookie |
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Post by rockyraccoon on Jul 8, 2004 22:55:55 GMT -5
it looks like my lace agate on a much larger scale . wow!! kim |
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Post by sandsman1 on Jul 8, 2004 23:46:20 GMT -5
hi jack what a setup wow,,id say your prob gonna need atleast 1/3 hp motor if those barrels weigh 32lb empty each they prob hold around 20lb of rock each,, id go wit a 1/2 hp motor but i allways overkill hahahaha fig its better to have to much then not enuff seeya---john
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Jul 8, 2004 23:55:03 GMT -5
Hello Jack,
Boy, that is going to be a doozie when it's up and running!
It would interesting to count the rings in the slabbed piece of petrified wood to see how old the tree was. Each ring is supposed to represent one year!
The last photo that you posted, looks like petrified algea from what I can tell. I have some petrified algea that looks exactly like what you have there. It may not be ... but it sure looks like it too me!
I don't know how big of a motor you might need, as I am new to this aspect of lapidary. That should sure handle whatever you put into it!
Have a great day!
John
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Post by stoner on Jul 9, 2004 2:04:08 GMT -5
Hey Jack. Now that's a rock tumbler! I think you could get by with a 1/4hp motor, but you'll have to have the right size pulley so the barrel turns at 40-60RPM. Can you get ahold of a gear motor? You can get by with less hp and hence, less electricity. Also, get some rubber(1/8") to line the inside of the barrels or you will have one noisey tumbler, not to mention having problems with rocks cracking. Let us know how it works when you get it going.
As for the rocks, haven't a clue, but it sure is cool lookin'.
later, Ed
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Post by rockyraccoon on Jul 9, 2004 2:37:46 GMT -5
petrified algea - is that rare? man i learn something everyday from you guys. one of these days i'm gonna know something - don's gonna tell y'all that algea was worth a lot of money before y'all cut it up ;D.
kim
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Post by sandsman1 on Jul 9, 2004 3:18:08 GMT -5
wild guess on the pic with two rocks init first one rhodenite cause of the pink showing and the other one puddinstone there both prob spelled wrong and prob not what i said just a wild guess hahaha seeya---john
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Post by creativeminded on Jul 9, 2004 10:54:42 GMT -5
Now that is a serious tumbling set up, mine looks like a childs setup compared to that. Tami |
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Post by cookie3rocks on Jul 9, 2004 20:15:26 GMT -5
I just got some rock I won on Ebay today and one piece of the plume agate is slabbed and looks strikingly similar to the last pic. Not what I expected but VERY cool  cookie |
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deepsouth
fully equipped rock polisher
He who rocks last rocks best
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,256
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Post by deepsouth on Jul 10, 2004 18:10:43 GMT -5
Hi all ,
The big rock is fossil sponge
picture with 2 rocks is indeed rhodonite John , and the other is a very nice Jasper.
have fun
Jack
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Dec 2, 2004 14:04:42 GMT -5
Hi Jack,
The ed said you needed to line your tumblers with rubber,I agree from experiance!!
A Source you might find useful,
Race Horse transport , the ramps are covered with a ribbed 3/16 to 1/4 " rubber,I used some of cuts to line some Paint tins Worked well,
Yours,
Jack (Yorkshire UK).
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deepsouth
fully equipped rock polisher
He who rocks last rocks best
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,256
|
Post by deepsouth on Dec 2, 2004 14:44:41 GMT -5
Welcome to this board Jack ( Yorkshire) Pleased to meet you. Thanks for your advise re: rubber lining. I have put that lining in a few weeks ago now and it sure stops the noise and saves a lot of rocks from falling to bits. I used pieces of a conveyor belt from a silage feedout wagon my son uses on our farm. I found the conveyor belt of a fertilizer truck too rigid to work with. I did purchase a second hand 1/4 HP motor , which burnt out pretty quick haha. I now have a 1/3HP new motor and revs are at 42 / min. I have one barrel doing 60/90 grit and the second one is on 220 grit. I am still experimenting and learning as I go , but so far it seems that the grit breaks down rapidly , much faster than in the hexagonal barrels. Also I am now going to leave the batch longer in the barrel to see if I can eliminate 600 grit and go to polish after a few weeks. I may have to go to 3 weeks in 220 grit , I will find out  First batch that was in 220 grit , it went to a thick paste and I had to add some water twice. After 13 days my patience was at an end and I have some of that batch now in polish to see what the results will be. I will keep you posted. jack |
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Post by connrock on Dec 2, 2004 19:24:04 GMT -5
Jack That's great. WOW What a rig!! Just a guess here but if you still have motor probs you might consider going with a much faster motor and then step it down using pulleys to get the proper speed. I don'y think the motor will have to work as hard that way. I don't think just the round barrels are getting you that thick slurry so fast.It could also be your speed. James and I rough in at twice the normal speed using #30 grit and very little water.The slurry gets VERY thick after only 2 days and watwer has to be added,,,,,sparingly. Good luck with the new rig,,,,, Tom  |
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What a set up that's gonna be! The slice looks like some form of agate to me. The pits and inclusions are very different. Can hardly wait for you to get it cranked up and roll some of that stuff ;D
