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How do I make a rock tumbler? Perhaps not from scratch, but by adapting something else?
I'm not necessarily technically minded, so preferrably without having to rewire or solder things...
I'm not necessarily technically minded, so preferrably without having to rewire or solder things...
Discussions
9 years ago
Try my rock tumbler.
https://www.instructables.com/id/Hobby-or-Case-Tumbler/
I built this one for polishing brass bullet casings for reloading but it also makes a good rock tumbler with the right polishing media.
Joe
11 years ago
The simplest way would be to put your rocks etc (grit, water) in a plastic tub and roll it around for as long as you need. Wrap it in bubble-wrap and duct-tape and give it to your kids (or your neighbours' kids) to play football with for a day or two.
Answer 11 years ago
Rock polishing is done in 4 steps and each step takes the constant rotation, 24 hours a day, for 7 days. The rubber barrels used to actual tumblers are made so the rocks actually ride up and over the rocks below. But yeah i guess that could be a simple way.
11 years ago
Many years ago I know of an older man who made his own rock tumbler/polisher from an electric motor with belt drive (washing machine) and an old tireThe tire was attached to a circular piece of plywood fitted inside the tire on one side using wood screws, with an axle shaft centered on the plywood, mounted so as to rotate freely; the driven pulley attached to the shaft. Appropriate design for mounting of the motor and belt tension mechanism followed, and the tire was angled so as to not require a lid to keep everything inside. Calculate for slow speed revolution of the tire assembly. Simple, using parts recycled/reused, and effective. Beware of dust from abrasion/abrasive material; minimize by adding water to create a sluce-type mix. Your experimentation will determine what works best for you. Good luck, and Cheers.
11 years ago
http://tomaszewski.net/Kreigh/Minerals/Homemade.shtml?ArdSI=2a2f396967c7706d5d172ac64e0a16e0