Armory Sponsor
Posted: 5/13/2011 12:41:34 PM EDT
|
I've been thinking about building my own rotary tumbler:
Here are my thoughts Requirements: * Cheaper than the Thumler's Tumbler * Swappable containers so I can get one ready while the other one is working * Capacity equal or greater to the rotary Thumler's tumbler * Compact design Optional: * Be able to run two seperate containers at the same time. I was thinking about using 4 or 6 inch PVC pipe, gluing a cap on one end. The other end I would use a pipe reducer glued on and a cap just friction fitted. On the inside I would glue a 3/4 or 1 inch pipe that was cut in half to make sure stuff tumbles. For the initial design I was thinking of just using wheels to set the canisters on. The use a lawnmower wheel & a motor to drive the tumblers. Thoughts? |
|
I don't think a friction fit is going to keep your brass and tumbling media in the tube if it is horizontal. Especially if you're using water.
Perhaps something with a flange you can bolt shut. Do they make PVC with flanges thick enough for bolt holes? I can kind of envision something that might work but I don't know if the parts exist out there. ETA: I guess they exist. Amazon.com Maybe it would be easier to build capsules with one end that screwed on? ETA2: How about using a clean-out as your opening end? Amazon.com (BTW: I'm not plugging Amazon, they just happen to have pictures.  )
|
I will try to get a vid and pics of my updated version of my homemade tumbler tomorrow, but for now here is the prototype.  My updated version is mounted on a piece of aluminum, has a nice pully machined out of half inch plexi glass, Roller bearings on the rollers and I did away with the cooler and used a piece of 9 inch PVC with Plexi glass ends, which one will unbolt from the tube. For the aggitators, I quartered a piece of 3in pvc bolted 2 of the pieces in. With just The typewriter motor, it will turn about 100 223 at a time, but that was not enough for me, so since I have not had time to get another motor mounted and pully made, I hooked a drill to the other roller and it will turn 300 223 with no problem. I did over 1500 a couple of saturdays ago, surprisingly it only took about 1.5 hours per batch to get them like new. ajh2574 made one similar to mine, but just used wheels and such instead of rollers. Both units work fine, and we have almost nothing invested but time. |
|
Here's what I used from Home Depot.
(1) Sioux Chief TKO 4 in. PVC Adjustable Metal Ring DWV Hub Closet Flange Model # 886-4PTMPK Store SKU # 905685 $4.93 (1) NIBCO 4 in. PVC DWV Street Spigot x FIPT Female Adapter Model # C4803-2 Store SKU # 189243 $6.91 (1) NIBCO 4 in. PVC DWV MIPT Cleanout Plug $2.98 Use this as a sifter. (1) NDS 6 in. Structural Foam Polyolefin Grate Model # 50 Store SKU # 703370 $3.99 I took a circular scrap of wood (sandwiched between a long bolt, a couple of washers and a nut) used this as an arbor. Then bolt that to the toilet flange, Prime & glue the other pieces. Allow to dry. Put in the tumbling media, brass and a squirt of Flitz, screw on the cap. I then chuck this assembly into my 7" by 12" Cummins Mini Lathe. Set on low speed, so you can hear the contents tumbling. Too much speed equals no tumbling. Here's a link to the pic. http://s985.photobucket.com/albums/ae336/johnny_eagle_chops/?action=view¤t=Tumbler.jpg http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae336/johnny_eagle_chops/Tumbler.jpg |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Here's what I used from Home Depot. (1) Sioux Chief TKO 4 in. PVC Adjustable Metal Ring DWV Hub Closet Flange Model # 886-4PTMPK Store SKU # 905685 $4.93 (1) NIBCO 4 in. PVC DWV Street Spigot x FIPT Female Adapter Model # C4803-2 Store SKU # 189243 $6.91 (1) NIBCO 4 in. PVC DWV MIPT Cleanout Plug $2.98 Use this as a sifter. (1) NDS 6 in. Structural Foam Polyolefin Grate Model # 50 Store SKU # 703370 $3.99 I took a circular scrap of wood (sandwiched between a long bolt, a couple of washers and a nut) used this as an arbor. Then bolt that to the toilet flange, Prime & glue the other pieces. Allow to dry. Put in the tumbling media, brass and a squirt of Flitz, screw on the cap. I then chuck this assembly into my 7" by 12" Cummins Mini Lathe. Set on low speed, so you can hear the contents tumbling. Too much speed equals no tumbling. Here's a link to the pic. http://s985.photobucket.com/albums/ae336/johnny_eagle_chops/?action=view¤t=Tumbler.jpg <a href="http://" target="_blank">http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae336/johnny_eagle_chops/Tumbler.jpg</a> Great 13th post. Well done. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I like to build stuff as much as the next guy, but Thumblers are only like $150 brand new. Just sayin. But for $149 you can get the small cement mixer from Harbor Freight. 1K of 30-06 at a time, 2K of 223. 'Borg That's certainly an option if don't mind a cement mixer laying around. I personally don't have the space, nor do I need that type of capacity. Your point is the same as mine though 
|
|
I might have neglected to say that a 4" PVC coupler may also be needed. Due to the fact that I have a Mini-Lathe, I was very limited on the diameter and length of the container that I built. Some sort of agitator should probably be put in as well. I was basically running mine for 8 to 10 hours as a time. The overall results were very good. If you have a larger lathe, bump the material size up to 6 inch. I basically strolled down the plumbing aisle in Home Depot, searching for stuff to re-purpose. Lightly dry fit the fittings in the store.
Good luck. You just have to think out of the box once in a while. |
|
Years ago, I made some equipment for saltwater fish tanks with acrylic tubing. Making the "drum" out of such material isn't hard at all... take a length of tubing, glue a piece of acrylic over one end, and trim it flush with a trim bit on your router.
For the other end, cut two circular pieces, about 2" larger in diameter than the tube. Glue one over the end of the tube, drill a hole in the center, put your trim bit in there, and trim it flush to the ID of the tube. Drill/tap the holes around the edge of the flange for some bolts (nylon bolts work great), and cut a gasket out of a piece of neoprene. If you wanted, you could also make the flange smaller than the diameter of the tube, just as easily. The problem, as others have said, is getting the cases to tumble, instead of slide. You could glue some small strips of acrylic on the inside of the tube, to act as small paddles. Then you need a frame, some rollers, a motor, and some pulleys. All in all, if you're looking to cut costs, don't bother. But if you just like DIY, go ahead! |
Armory Sponsor
Join the Community
Your next conversation starts here.
Create your free account to join discussions, share your experience, save topics, and connect with the AR15.COM community.
- Join discussions
- Follow topics and replies
- Connect with fellow enthusiasts
Already a member? Sign in
Stay informed by subscribing to our Newsletter