Dang it!

[hoser]

Well my hopes of keeping my tumbler project at 0$ just ain't gonna happen.
I got two motors for it (free of course) and one of them will turn the drum (with a kick start) and it spins way too fast. The other one will turn it (3rpm) and I figure it would take a load of coins about six months to come out clean at that speed. So I guess I gotta break down and buy the motor I need for it. Bummer I know. Anyone know what the proper rpm of the drum is supposed to be? I have never had one of these critters, so any input would be a big help.

[robzombie852]

what the heck did you put on it that uses a kickstart?

[Metalman]

Hi Bill

How are you running the drum from the motor by belt or direct ? if it is by belt you can change the rpms by adjusting the shives, a large shive on the motor and small one on the drum will increase the rpms ,,or for the motor that turns it to fast a smaller shive on the motor and a larger on the drum will slow it down . if it is direct im afraid you are stuck finding a motor with a greater final rpm value ??

I work with this stuff everyday at the mill, Im forever speeding up roller systems or slowing down carry chains .or visa versa,,

The small versions that i use dont go fast maybe about 30 rpms or a little slower but not much.but then Im tumbling stones not coins, I would almost bet that a little slower would be advised !!

Rick

[Metalman]

Hi Bill


I went back and looked at the photo that you posted in the how to forum,I see that it is belt driven but room maybe an issue for the shives I dont think you could get much smaller on the drive or much bigger on the drum drive,, but since it looks like a 110 volt set up, you could maybe try a reistat control in line between power source and the motor giving a little control over speed.

Rick

[Tom in SWW]

Hi Bill,

I tumble rocks here, and after this load comes out in six weeks I'm probably going to do a load of coins.
Here's the deal: The RPM's for max cleaning depends on straight physics. Depends on drum size.
With rocks, you want enough RPM's so that the the rocks cascade over each other, and have a zone in the middle where the rocks really mix up good.
Too slow, and you don't have that zone. Too fast, and you have a centrifuge effect where the rocks basically are stuck to the outside of the drum.
I fill my tumbler with coins and some used tumblig grit, usually the 60/90 grit Silicon Carbide that I've used once.
Drop in a bit of Ivory soap, and enough water to cover it, and go...
I found that three or four hours was enought to clean the copper coated pennies, and maybe a bit more for the clad and nickels.
Works slick! It's all spendable.... Nice and clean.
You'll have to work out drum loading and getting things right.
I use a Variac to speed up or slow down most of my motor controlled items.
10 Amps is a good general size, but I have them anywhere from 1A to 20 A. I used the big one to melt ice off my wire antennas in the Winter...

HH! -Tom

[hoser]

Thanks a lot guys. Tom, I went to a rock shop in Traverse city just to see how fast the store bought tumblers really turn. I know now how to getter-dun. I am going to buy a capacitor start, 1/15hp fan/blower duty motor. The speed will have to be adjusted by the use of a variable transformer, or other motor speed controller. This way I can adjust the tumbler for what ever conditions I feel are right for the coins I will be cleaning. The dive is chains and sprockets.(1/8" pitch, cute little raskel)And this will assure that there will be O slip on the drum. The gear motor I was gonna use is the one I have set up for drying fishing rods I used to build. Kept the finish from running.