Parts Tumbler Build (with pics)

[BrianMick]

Here is the one I built. I used a 1/2 hp electric motor(if I had to do it again I would use a 3/4 or 1 hp motor) a pully wheel off of an old cement mixer(that is what i used to use until it wore out) and the baldor variable speed controller(was probably the most expensive part...around 450.00 usd ) the motor has to be variable speed also. Plasma cut the octogons and barrel sections out bent them into two halves and welded all together with 1 inch roundbar in the center( which turns on two pillow blocks) Did not weld any fins inside as I figured the flat sided style would force the material to flop on each other. I also put a timer on it so that it would shut off after as long as I wanted so parts dont get tumbled too long Works great
Brian

[mdwalker]

Not sure if I have any pictures but I made a ball mill a few years back. I used the transmission from an old riding lawn mower for the gear box and a 1HP electric motor. I worked perfect and I could change the speed by shifting gears.

Danny

[redneckgateart]

@ Danny : Until I remembered having the gearbox, we were thinking about the lawnmower transmission idea too. We even thought about keeping the engine....it might've made enough racket to cover up all of the noise!

@Brianmick : Cool build! I like the timer idea!

[motoguy]

The majority of these photos won't load for me. Maybe too old. Anyone have anything similar?

[DesertFabworks]

I can not see the first set of pictures either. I use a cement mixer that I got of craigslist. Tough to beat for $50. The built by BrianMick is nice though.

[HaasMetalDesigns]

I ben thinking of making on myself but never used one could someone post a before and after pic of there parts and what else do you put inside of it?

[East German]

Hallo

This is my Garden Earth and Parts Tumbler is an old cement mixer.


The parts were 15 minutes in.

Works fine.

Regards Peter

[BTA Plasma]

That worked out VERY well!

[BAR M]

Peter,
What medium do you use in your tumbler ?
I have tried sand and later small, .75in stones, but none compare to your results.
Thank you, Bob

[East German]

Hello

see this:
https://plasmaspider.com/viewtopic.php? ... er#p162599

Only parts come in, the parts are cleaned well thanks to the hard grille.


Peter

TumblerPet.jpg

[cstroke]

Has anyone tried media to polish items?
I have a bunch of stainless steel parts that I absolutely hate grinding. Wondering if I could choose a media to give it a DA style finish???
any thoughts?
Thanks
Chris

[robertspark]

I wonder if garnet would work? I use garnet (30/60) in my sand blaster and it has worked very well for steel and aluminium. Glass beads I've used for aluminium too but they would be too soft for steel I expect

[TrinityFabworks]

Has anyone tried to put black diamond media in a tumbler before? I know that it's for blasting, but It's so cheap and it's really course, I just wondered if it would work. Just picked up a tumbler yesterday and thought that I might give it a try.

[abmetal]

I've tried black diamond but it didn't work very good for me. It's pretty inexpensive so I'd say give it a try.

Allen