|
|
Post by liveoak on Jul 9, 2022 9:48:29 GMT -5
Just an update & maybe a helpful tip for someone.
My husband has wondered how it would work for a small milling machine he's in the process of restoring.
So the rock tumbler seemed like a perfect place to give it a good try.
So far, 2 days into my 120/220 grind it's holding fine.
The way this stuff works is you cut the belting to length, and then heat up a knife or razor blade, hold the ends of the belt to the heated metal, then pull the ends off the metal & stick them together & hold until set (Or we found dunked in ice water). The worst part was cleaning up the joint with a razor blade afterwards to smooth out the melted area.
But in the end it worked. And with 10 feet for $7.50 including shipping, and since the company does not supply spare parts, it was a lot cheaper than ordering a belt from McMaster Carr .
Patty
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,603
|
Post by jamesp on Jul 9, 2022 10:02:54 GMT -5
24 hours/day is hard on any equipment Patty.
I'm curious how that unit holds up. I had seen similar on Alibaba and found them something I would like to try.
It would be nice to have a 25 to 30 rpm setting for finishing abrasives.
Oddly, the hex barrel is more gentle than a round barrel according to info I read, so that is in your favor.
I hope it goes the distance for you.
|
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Jul 9, 2022 10:27:11 GMT -5
It is an experiment , but not too costly of one.
And I do have my dual HF 3 pounder for the 2 polishing stages.
But I was impressed how quickly it rounded the stones - 7 days.
So I'm happy with that aspect.
Not sure about dropping speed on this unit, as the motor is already electronically controlled, so if I alter the electric going to it ( fan control, etc)
I'm not sure if it wouldn't just fry the motor or the control.
We'll see.
Patty
|
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Jul 20, 2022 11:33:54 GMT -5
Thought I'd post an update -
I've now gone through 2 - 7 days cycles -
First with 60 /90 , second with 120/220 with a borax run in between.
Both batches with small aquarium gravel /ceramic mix
After the second cycle the stones are pretty well rounded, so I'm moving onto polishing with my HF 3 pounder
The machine is on it's 3rd belt now.
The first 2 rubber belts that come with it, went away quickly & the polyurethane belting ( once we got the joint right) has lasted a full week now & shows no sign of breaking.
The unit has faithfully run the barrel in the forward / reverse cycle without any issue.
Overall I'm happy with it , for the price I think it works really well grinding rocks.
And since I'm not a 24/7 tumbler , may just last for me.
I like the little fishy face on that one rock.
Thanks for looking,
Patty
|
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Sept 15, 2023 6:23:03 GMT -5
It came to me that I never gave an update on my auto reversing Vevor tumbler. Unfortunately, in less than a year the lid on the barrel won't seal anymore. The motor & base are very much still going strong.
Vevor did refund me $50 since it was still under the 1 year warranty.
No replacement barrel is available.
I had thought to try to do something to repair the lid, but recently found a used, like new, Thumbler's Model B.
But, I really like the fast tumble the Vevor did, so looking at replacing the Model B motor to a faster one.
I will add that the Vevor consistently did a rough tumble in 1 week (7 days).
Patty
|
|
chaosdsm
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2024
Posts: 162
|
Post by chaosdsm on Apr 12, 2024 19:47:12 GMT -5
Have you done anything else with this tumbler? The lid seal should be a 'relatively' easy fix...
It's more of a jewelry cleaning tumbler typically used with just cleaners and no grit. However, at the current price, I'm seriously considering getting one of these and using truck bed liner to line the inside of the drum. More for the noise than anything else. If it's Lexan or other similar high quality polycarbonate, it should last at least a couple of years of constant tumbling as it comes, but a nice coating of bed liner would greatly improve upon that, especially if it's a lower quality polycarbonate.
|
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Apr 13, 2024 6:48:20 GMT -5
I never actually tried to repair the barrel, as I said, I got a used Thumblers B. The barrel closure on the Vevor is really not built to withstand grit & rocks. They basically just thinned down the plastic in that area to make the lid fit, and the grit wore away the seal area.
If you buy one, chaosdsm I'd appreciate it if you keep us updated on your barrel - as I haven't given up repairing mine at some point. It is loud - but it works great really fast because of the reversing action !
Patty
|
|
chaosdsm
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2024
Posts: 162
|
Post by chaosdsm on Apr 13, 2024 11:08:36 GMT -5
I never actually tried to repair the barrel, as I said, I got a used Thumblers B. The barrel closure on the Vevor is really not built to withstand grit & rocks. They basically just thinned down the plastic in that area to make the lid fit, and the grit wore away the seal area.
If you buy one, chaosdsm I'd appreciate it if you keep us updated on your barrel - as I haven't given up repairing mine at some point. It is loud - but it works great really fast because of the reversing action !
Patty
I see they have a slightly different version now, it now has direct gear drive instead of belt drive. Based on the pics from amazon, looks like they've also changed the lid, it looks a little more robust now.... although they still show your style lid on the Vevor website??? I went ahead & bought one off amazon last night, should be here in about a week.  I see replacement barrels like yours on ali express but not sure if they're an exact fit, or made for a slightly different machine?? I already have a plan for when my drum fails, I'll just cut the loading end off and use the drum itself to create a negative mold for casting, and cast my own drum!!! I can get a 1 gallon 2-part 90A durometer (like skating wheels) mold resin for about $80 which should cast between 2 to 4 drums of this size, depending on wall thickness. I already have 3/8" abrasion resistant Lexan to make bolt on tops for them, which is left over from building a 1.137" thick vacuum chamber lid for a 20 gallon vacuum chamber that I custom made! |
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Apr 13, 2024 12:05:56 GMT -5
Keep us up to date on this chaosdsm. I'm really curious to see how this goes & what the current version really looks like. I believe the barrels on Ali express are for the smaller version-at least they were when I was looking. Thanks, Patty |
|
chaosdsm
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2024
Posts: 162
|
Post by chaosdsm on Apr 13, 2024 13:13:24 GMT -5
Keep us up to date on this chaosdsm . I'm really curious to see how this goes & what the current version really looks like. I believe the barrels on Ali express are for the smaller version-at least they were when I was looking. Thanks, Patty Saw 3 different sizes listed, 3Kg, 5Kg, & 11Kg, the 5Kg one is for a "KT2000 tumbler" which looks like a clone of the 11lb Vevor, right down to the auto-reversing feature. BUT... shipping makes it about the same price to buy a whole new tumbler. Will definitely update once I get it and have put it to use!!! |
|
