phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Aug 20, 2005 9:51:56 GMT -5
Well...here it is..my newest toy....no laughing either..     I decided to go with a golf cart tire because it is a little shorter and won't tend to tip over. I need to add the side covers and a bearing on one side to keep it from moving to the side... Wife said I was not allowed to run this in the spare bedroom...it does make a bit of noise. I loaded 20 pounds of pet wood in it for a test run and it turned just fine. Pho 7/20/2017 ADMINISTRATIVE EDIT: Repaired broken PhotoBucket images - original code below
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Post by Cher on Aug 20, 2005 10:08:38 GMT -5
Now that's a pretty ingenious idea there Pho, was it expensive to put together?
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Aug 20, 2005 10:18:18 GMT -5
It cost me about $175.
I got the motor off ebay, had to buy the pullies, belts and pillow blocks and the threaded rods. I already had the boards so I don't count that into the cost.
I plan on finishing it up this weekend and starting my first load on Monday morning. (if I have enough 60/90)
Given the total cost of this thing, I sure hope it lasts a very long time.
Pho
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ArkieRockhound
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2005
Posts: 870
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Post by ArkieRockhound on Aug 20, 2005 10:31:48 GMT -5
What a great tumbler. That looks much better than a truck tire. I couldn't afford the grit for one of those. Be sure to keep us informed as to how it works.
Trish
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pekesmoke
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2005
Posts: 145
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Post by pekesmoke on Aug 20, 2005 12:07:36 GMT -5
Now that's ingenious ! LOL pretty neat idea, maybe a patent on that ! now you need to find a cheaper medium than grit to use ! that would be what? around 4 to 5 pounds of grit per load? I'm not good with math ! LOL but it's a LOT.....
you need to make good friends with your local sandblaster....<G>
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Post by connrock on Aug 20, 2005 12:58:54 GMT -5
Hey Pho great job!!
Did ya name it???Ya gotta name it ya know??
What rpm will the tire be turning?
Great lookin tumbler!!
Tom
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Aug 20, 2005 14:00:41 GMT -5
Hey Tom....that is now named Big Boy . I clocked it at a steady 26 RPM's. May take a little longer to turn a load going at that rate. I may try expermenting with some diffrent size pullies to see if I can get it to go a bit faster.
Pho
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Aug 20, 2005 14:28:18 GMT -5
Hey Pho, I'd try it before I sped it up any. The larger the diameter, the less RPM you want to run and I'd guess that 26 might be as fast as you'd want to go. What is the diameter of the tire?
Ron
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WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
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Post by WarrenA on Aug 20, 2005 14:52:23 GMT -5
you may want to make a couple of plywood ends to seal the tire up so the water doesn't evaporate quite as fast. put in a couple pounds of grit and sandblast sand and let er roll
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Aug 20, 2005 16:52:23 GMT -5
The tire is 8 inches wide by about 20 inches dia.
I already made the plywood "plugs" today and have them installed. I just need to get a bearing for the bottom between the pillow blocks to keep the tire from rubbing against the wood and blocks.
I am going to run a load with this set-up before I make any more changes and will keep the group posted as to results...
Pho
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Post by Tweetiepy on Aug 20, 2005 18:40:55 GMT -5
Pho, what happens when the treads wear out or if you get a flat? That's amazing, can't wait to see the results
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,492
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 20, 2005 18:56:58 GMT -5
Holy cow! That's some fine tumbler! I've been working on a plan for a tumbler powered by a water wheel in my creek but now I'm thinking maybe I'll borrow a small tractor tire from my neighbor. *LOL*. Man, a guy wouldn't even have to break up the big ones! Course the grit bill might get a bit high!
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Aug 20, 2005 19:02:21 GMT -5
Yeah..I was just looking at how much 50 pounds of grit is gonna cost me..but when you think of how much rock you can run at one time....it add ups fast.
I put 20 pounds of pet wood in there for a test run and it tumbles great. I was worried it might just "slide" around the tire but it tumbled.
And when you figure in the cost of X number of normal tumblers for the same amount of rock.well,,,this thing wins hands down....
Now we just need to see how well it tumbles a load.
Pho
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Post by parfive on Aug 20, 2005 19:46:16 GMT -5
Very cool, Pho. How are you sealing the plywood plugs to the tire beads?
Rich
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Aug 20, 2005 19:48:42 GMT -5
just using a 3/8 threaded rod thru the center...unbolt it when I am ready to check on the rocks or change rock/grit..etc..very simple operation.
Pho
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Aug 20, 2005 19:51:57 GMT -5
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walrusleather
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2005
Posts: 193
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Post by walrusleather on Aug 20, 2005 19:54:51 GMT -5
I would recommend the puchase and use of porcelin tumble media originally used for deburring fabrication metal items this stuff works for a coarse to get shape and smooth going on. savs a fortune on coarse grit and time, etc. also fills without pellets for the opening stages. drawback, manual sorting of media after coarse is done drawback, must be used on materials mohs 7.5 - 8 or less www.gemworld.com/TumbleMedia.asp they call em type 2 |
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Post by cookie3rocks on Aug 20, 2005 21:33:26 GMT -5
OMG Pho, that's just *snirk* wonderful *choke*, youv'e certainly put allot of *snort* thought into it and...
BAAHHHAAAHHHAAA!
Sorry, that's just too funny. I never promised and by golly I tried.
It really is a work of art and destined for great tumbling.
*snicker*
Good Job!
cookie
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pekesmoke
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2005
Posts: 145
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Post by pekesmoke on Aug 20, 2005 22:07:22 GMT -5
will the rocks stay enough to the inside of the tire, and not hit the bolt when tumbling?
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Aug 20, 2005 22:16:27 GMT -5
Cookie...I laughed at that thing too...a lot
Donna..the rocks only come up to the rim of the tire and do not hit the rod in the center.
Pho
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