jasonshort
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2019
Posts: 113
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Post by jasonshort on Oct 13, 2019 19:15:12 GMT -5
I was given this tumbler. Finally got it running. After trying different pulleys and belts I got it to turn the barrels at 27RPM's. Is that o.k.or should It should be more or less RPM's. I will be tumbling rocks like in the photo. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks
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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 13, 2019 22:47:45 GMT -5
I've built and run several tumblers, yours is very similar in size to what I've built, and had good roughing polishing success at that speed.
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jasonshort
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2019
Posts: 113
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Post by jasonshort on Oct 13, 2019 23:02:51 GMT -5
Thanks, Do you know what the purpose of the small pulley on the top right is?
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Post by rockpickerforever on Oct 13, 2019 23:40:09 GMT -5
The pulley at the upper right is a tensioner pulley. One would slightly loosen the bolts in the slots on the bar the pulley is mounted on, move it upward to tighten the belt, then retighten the bolts.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Oct 14, 2019 6:25:36 GMT -5
The belt tensioner pulley is a great feature. Not many builds have that. Most have a pivot on the motor mount to adjust the tension. The tension pulley is more robust. I would like to see a closeup of the shaft bearings. Have not seen that type on a tumbler. Are they greasable? My only suggestion would be a simple belt guard. Have fun with it!
Chuck
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Post by rockpickerforever on Oct 14, 2019 9:11:52 GMT -5
The belt tensioner pulley is a great feature. Not many builds have that. Most have a pivot on the motor mount to adjust the tension. The tension pulley is more robust. I would like to see a closeup of the shaft bearings. Have not seen that type on a tumbler. Are they greasable? My only suggestion would be a simple belt guard. Have fun with it! Chuck Totally agree! That tensioner a much better set up than pivoting the motor to tighten the belt. I need to take some notes on design, bearing mounting, etc., for possible future use. Useful for anything that uses a belt.
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jasonshort
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2019
Posts: 113
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Post by jasonshort on Oct 14, 2019 9:22:19 GMT -5
I started with a 10" pulley and a 3" pulley on the motor. It was 41 RPM's. After trying different configurations from the pulleys I had in my shop, I ended up with a 8" pulley and a 1-1/2" pulley on the motor which got it to 27RPM's. The local rock club has set all their tumblers at 31RPM's, but the guy who gave this to me said 22 to 25 RPM's is what I need to shoot for.
I put rollerblade wheels on each end for bumpers. The motor is a 1/4hp 1725 rpm.
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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 14, 2019 23:31:42 GMT -5
The roller blade thrust control wheels are much better than fixed ones, good idea. The belt doesn't need to be real tight, just enough so it won't slip.
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Post by TheRock on Oct 15, 2019 0:19:05 GMT -5
Nice Score Jason! I started procuring parts to build a Multi Barrel Tumbler, with 9 Barrels spinning 24/7 I haven't done the math yet (amp draw readings etc) but It may very well be worth my while to finish the project it may be a good winter project. Cheers
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Post by RocksInNJ on Oct 15, 2019 5:09:00 GMT -5
Nice score. Man I wish I had the knowledge to build my own big tumbler.
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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 15, 2019 20:29:58 GMT -5
RocksInNJ, how is your mechanical aptitude and what tools are available for you to use? Plenty of help here on the forum.
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Post by RocksInNJ on Oct 16, 2019 3:11:31 GMT -5
RocksInNJ , how is your mechanical aptitude and what tools are available for you to use? Plenty of help here on the forum. Well.... I’m kind of mechanical. Was a cabinet maker for most of my life, but I’ve never messed with motors, gears, very little wiring or any kind of pulley really. I’ve looked at a few tutorials and it seems pretty straight forward. Though I’d become lost with the wiring of the motor and setting up the pulleys and different size wheels in order to get a proper rpm for the barrels. I’d love to build one like, I think it was Jugglerguy here on the forums, that built a beautiful one in a cabinet. That thing is awesome!!!
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Oct 16, 2019 10:59:21 GMT -5
Sounds like you're plenty handy, give it a go! There's online calculators to figure out what pulley size you need & tons of help here to get you past any hurdles you encounter.
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Post by RocksInNJ on Oct 16, 2019 12:44:16 GMT -5
Sounds like you're plenty handy, give it a go! There's online calculators to figure out what pulley size you need & tons of help here to get you past any hurdles you encounter. Thanks for the words of encouragement my friend. I’m gonna wait and see how my first batch of rocks turns out in my new QT-66 and go from there. I may start grabbing and collecting some supplies once I see how my rocks turn out. I’m learning a lot and don’t want to take on to much at once.
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Wooferhound on Oct 16, 2019 19:13:33 GMT -5
The QT66 runs at 30 rpm and it is about the same diameter as your new tumbler barrels.
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