nchillbilly
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2018
Posts: 212
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Post by nchillbilly on Jul 8, 2018 22:49:38 GMT -5
I have had a thumler's tumbler model B for a number of years. In the past , I've only used it with stainless steel pins to clean brass ammunition cases. Well, I found myself with 10 lbs of Rhyolite (sourced from vegasjames) that needed tumbled, so I decided to use the "B". My question is: is there any difference in the set-up, machine-wise, for tumbling rocks versus brass? The "B" turns a good bit faster than my lortone qt6. The speed doesn't bother me as long as it's not detrimental to the rocks.
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Jul 9, 2018 17:45:24 GMT -5
If memory serves.....your Thumler barrel should run at about 38rpm's with 8lb to10lb's of load. That is if it isn't the "high speed" version....which is rated at a higher speed motor......don't know the expected barrel rate with same load poundage.
All my "little" rollers run btw 38 and 44 rpms......don't see a reason to be concerned with the model B. Try it with a full load of "toss-a-sides".......nothing lost - something gained if it handles the stone media. As you know, I only use my rollers for rough grind anymore......it may just work great for 1st-2nd cycle grinding.
Give it a try.........since I switched to vibe's......no more casings in the rollers for me.......lol.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
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Post by jamesp on Jul 10, 2018 4:53:25 GMT -5
If this helps A 60% filled barrel at 30 RPM will beat you rocks up more so than a an 85% filled barrel at 80 RPM. Chunk gravel in your barrel at 60% and then at 85%, add water as normal say just below rock level and roll. Compare noise. One fill is gentle and the other violent.
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nchillbilly
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2018
Posts: 212
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Post by nchillbilly on Jul 10, 2018 16:48:42 GMT -5
If memory serves.....your Thumler barrel should run at about 38rpm's with 8lb to10lb's of load. That is if it isn't the "high speed" version....which is rated at a higher speed motor......don't know the expected barrel rate with same load poundage.
All my "little" rollers run btw 38 and 44 rpms......don't see a reason to be concerned with the model B. Try it with a full load of "toss-a-sides".......nothing lost - something gained if it handles the stone media. As you know, I only use my rollers for rough grind anymore......it may just work great for 1st-2nd cycle grinding.
Give it a try.........since I switched to vibe's......no more casings in the rollers for me.......lol. I still do a final polish of my ammo cases in a vibe, but if you've never used stainless steel pins, lemi-shine, and dawn in a rotary to do the initial clean, you'd be amazed at how they come out. Knock the spent primers out and resize them first, toss 'em in the mix in a roller for a couple of hours and they come out looking brand new. As far as the rocks, I pretty much use rotaries for my heavy grit runs also. Anything up to 60/90 sic. After that, they go in the vibe.
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nchillbilly
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2018
Posts: 212
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Post by nchillbilly on Jul 10, 2018 16:57:21 GMT -5
If this helps A 60% filled barrel at 30 RPM will beat you rocks up more so than a an 85% filled barrel at 80 RPM. Chunk gravel in your barrel at 60% and then at 85%, add water as normal say just below rock level and roll. Compare noise. One fill is gentle and the other violent. My current batch is probably 80% +. I've never used this tumbler for rocks, so it's probably just a matter of me getting used to it. I was just curious since it is running right beside my lortone, and there is a noticeable difference in speed. The stone in there is very interesting looking, so I don't want to beat them to death. I'll clean out this weekend, so I'll find out then how they're doing.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
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Post by jamesp on Jul 11, 2018 2:15:56 GMT -5
If this helps A 60% filled barrel at 30 RPM will beat you rocks up more so than a an 85% filled barrel at 80 RPM. Chunk gravel in your barrel at 60% and then at 85%, add water as normal say just below rock level and roll. Compare noise. One fill is gentle and the other violent. My current batch is probably 80% +. I've never used this tumbler for rocks, so it's probably just a matter of me getting used to it. I was just curious since it is running right beside my lortone, and there is a noticeable difference in speed. The stone in there is very interesting looking, so I don't want to beat them to death. I'll clean out this weekend, so I'll find out then how they're doing. Good luck with the rhyolite. It is beautiful.
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