Can you build your own rock tumbler? Here's how!

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  • čas přidán 7. 09. 2024

Komentáře • 95

  • @joeyoungs8426
    @joeyoungs8426 Před 11 dny +1

    Accu-Link by Jason Industrial makes those belts. I use them in all my power equipment. Well worth the cost in my opinion.
    Nice build, I’m impressed.

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 10 dny

      Awesome! Thanks for the tip. I've bookmarked the site. I'm glad you liked the build.

  • @HenkJanBakker
    @HenkJanBakker Před 10 měsíci +6

    You do know what an expert is though? Somebody that knows more about one or more subjects than other people in a group. You built one so... you the expert.

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 10 měsíci +2

      haha! Thank you. Now I just have to feel like one.

    • @garymaylon2025
      @garymaylon2025 Před 4 měsíci

      I was always told that an expert was someone 50 miles from home.

    • @ducatidarmah122
      @ducatidarmah122 Před 2 měsíci

      The definition of an expert goes as follows. LOL. Ex = Old, has been. Spurt= Drip under pressure. Choose whichever you think suits best.

  • @garymaylon2025
    @garymaylon2025 Před 4 měsíci

    Thanks I’ll be looking forward to seeing the new video.

  • @whygowegabusch120
    @whygowegabusch120 Před 11 měsíci +1

    Great video, thank you so much for the in depth explanation. I'm looking forward to upgrade our tumbling game.

  • @rachaelb9164
    @rachaelb9164 Před rokem +3

    The pulley math is what stumps me. I want to build a cabinet tumbler similar to the one that MichiganRocks made.

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před rokem +1

      For sure! It took me a bit to figure out. The best thing I can recommend is download a pulley app and it'll walk you through everything you need to input. As long as you know your initial motor speed and final pulley size (which will be your barrel diameter) you can input different pulley diameters for the ones that are available to you and the speed you want your barrels to spin at. If it still stumps you just let me know and I'll walk through the math on a Friday's Rock! episode.

    • @HenryLoenwind
      @HenryLoenwind Před 5 měsíci +1

      The math is actually really simple once you break it down. The first trick is to use the circumferences of the pulleys, not the diameter. Then:
      Let's say you have a motor running at 1 rpm with a pulley that has a circumference of 1 inch. Running this for 1 minute will pull 1 inch of belt through. Obvious, isn't it? The circumference of the pulley translates directly into belt length. So "belt pulled through per minute" = "circumference" x "rpm". If the motor turns the pulley twice as often, twice as much belt gets pulled through.
      On the shaft side, it's the same, just that we know how much belt must run through and the circumference, and want to know the rpm. So, we divide the belt length per minute by the circumference. For example, if we connect the "1 rpm, 1 inch" motor to a 3-inch circumference pulley, we get 1 / 3, i.e. 0.33 rpm.
      Combined, we get:
      "motor rpm" x "motor pulley circumference" = "belt length per minute" = "output rpm" x "output pulley circumference"
      I'll leave converting pulley diameter to circumference to you, there will be cake, um pi(e).

  • @tomburleigh9261
    @tomburleigh9261 Před rokem +1

    Great helpful video, thanks Ken. If you ever do a video building a super long drum, (long enough for polishing up bottles), you'll have covered all that I'm aiming for in my own self build tumbler plans.
    PS. I'm planning on shouting out to your: Can you tumble just any glass into sea glass? video. It inspired me to do a similar one; I've pulled a load of different types of glass out of rivers, old dumpsites, and gravel tracks, lots of variety and some well over a hundred years old. I'll put some modern glass into the mix too. It's going to be quite a while; I haven't started breaking the glass up yet, and only run the tumbler at night, and am using it for a few other video projects concurrently, so... months and months, and I know it's already your most popular video, so a shout out might not help much, but I'll shout out to this video too if I ever get around to building the dream tumbler. 🙂

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před rokem +2

      Thank you! Long enough for a bottle...now you've got my wheels turning. That would be fun. I've been meaning to do a follow-up glass video, but it sounds like you understand that there's a queue for tumbling videos. When I do the custom barrel video, maybe I'll try one long enough for a bottle.

  • @Kötkylä
    @Kötkylä Před 6 měsíci +2

    Very nice project 👍

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 6 měsíci +1

      Thank you! I'll be rolling up my sleeves next week and getting into building the next one.

  • @nigelkavanagh2048
    @nigelkavanagh2048 Před 7 měsíci

    Great job sir! If you fit rubber door stops to the underside of the baseplate it will kill a lot of noise. 👍

  • @Kötkylä
    @Kötkylä Před 4 měsíci

    Just made my first diy tumbler, This was helpful video 👍
    I made 3 barrel tumbler first. Next one is bigger 😄👍
    My rpm is about 35 now, little slow i think. But i think putting some rubber tube to shaft increase the rpm some.

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 4 měsíci +1

      I'm glad it helped! Isn't it funny how the first one is big enough until it's built...then it's not?

  • @jefftrag1956
    @jefftrag1956 Před 10 měsíci

    I read about how to make an industrial tumbler out of a rear axle of a big semi truck with the rims and tires in place. You want to cut an opening in the highest part of the rim to load rocks. The article said a cover is not needed but I always thought if I was going to do one I would have a hinged door sealed with inner tube rubber. The idea is to set up a motor geared down so the tires rotate slowly and all the rocks stay in the lowest part of the tire at all times tumbling over each other. Each tire can hold about 100 lbs of rocks and you have 4 tires going at all times each one with a different grit. Always use the same tire for the same grit. You rotate the rocks once a week and you have 100 lbs of polished tumbled stones each week. I have been wondering if you could use quartz sand as grit for the first stage to do the rough rounding off? I am posting this on all videos about rock hounding to spread the idea, if this is you channel and you do not like that let me know. The fact that the tumbling will all take place in a rubber tire should help keep the noise down. The rocks should never touch the rim. I have suggested to people that they make a soundproof shed just big enough to be practical so the noise will be minimized. Plus the rubber in a tire is thick and should absorb a lot of the noise. Also you should have a small fan on the motor to keep it cool. A high quality motor will be a must as it will run 24 hours a day. I am no expert but with the proper gearing the motor should not be under too much stress. I would sell the tumbled stones. Once tumbled, you grade them by quality and type. Some would be really valuable. I bet you could average $10 usd per pound with just good found material and more if you have high grade material. Definitely not for the weekend rock hound but if you sell stones or want to, what a cheap way to start. You could tumble other people's rocks for a fee or shares too. You could make one with car tires for a smaller scale operation. There has to be a lot of people with 30 year in the making, 3 ton pile of rocks out behind their house. With this they could see results from all that collecting.

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 10 měsíci

      The axle and tire idea is great, but I would want a cover just to keep the rocks from drying out. Selling rocks is definitely determined by the market you sell them in and how fast you want them to keep moving. Good ideas, all in all. Thanks.

  • @blitzkrueg07
    @blitzkrueg07 Před 4 měsíci +1

    treadmill motors work great. and if you have the controller it can be variable speed.

  • @user-jp5ht7zx4f
    @user-jp5ht7zx4f Před rokem

    Cheers I'm collecting bits n pieces for a bottle tumbler ... so thanx for the vid

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před rokem

      No problem! They are simple and fun machines to put together.

  • @David-sw3on
    @David-sw3on Před 7 měsíci +1

    Great Job! I really enjoyed watching this.👍😉🇨🇦

  • @dreamlookautodetailingauto3353

    That is an awesome idea 👏! You better patten that quick! Even if the whole thing cost $500 it will be worth it in the long run. It will last a long time. Only thing you might have to change out over time are the bearings, belt, motor. Thats just to be expected. Great job, great creation.👍😎

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před rokem +1

      You're not wrong. The wear points will always need to be replaced. I'm just hoping they last! Gotta keep those stones tumbling.

  • @dreamlookautodetailingauto3353

    Nice of you to share & take the time to explain and make this video.
    I hear ya! There are some people that show their machine but don't want to give away any secrets on how they made their tumbler? Or anything else in fact. Why show a video on your tumbler if your not going to explain in detail how you made it? Parts, Dimensions, etc...
    I believe there are some out there just to brag & show what they have instead. You know people are going to ask questions on your build? And when they do ask, they shoot them down & say they can't give out any information on what they built!? Crazy...How does that look on the CZcams person thats trying to get Subscribers & likes for their videos? They have Subscribers because they love to tune in & answer their questions.

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 7 měsíci +1

      I wholeheartedly agree. When I watch a DIY video, I'd like at least enough details to be able to Do It Myself. Which is also why I have a video that'll be coming up within the next few months that will have even more info on a full build for one of these. Thanks for the input! It's nice to find a like minded person.

    • @dreamlookautodetailingauto3353
      @dreamlookautodetailingauto3353 Před 7 měsíci

      @@kengensjewelry Looking forward to that video. Keep up the good work. 👍

  • @Brian_the_Rockhound
    @Brian_the_Rockhound Před rokem

    Broooo. That's an awesome machine. Such a great idea. I thoroughly enjoyed how you presented it. Awesome video

  • @stephaniem839
    @stephaniem839 Před 5 měsíci

    SUPER helpful!!!! Thank you!!

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 5 měsíci

      Awesome! Stay tuned, I'm currently building another tumbler and am going to show the complete build and step by step instructions.

  • @canadiangemstones7636
    @canadiangemstones7636 Před 9 měsíci

    Cool build! Might want to weld a quick brace on your uprights, that wobble might lead to failure. And you’ll want to step up to 12 pound barrels ASAP.

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 9 měsíci

      I've been watching that wobble to see if it gets worse. So far it hasn't, but when I build the cabinet I'm definitely bracing that thing. There's always a need for more barrel space!

  • @chrishince8947
    @chrishince8947 Před 9 měsíci

    Fantastic build and video! Cement truck tumbler conversion video next?😃

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 9 měsíci +1

      LOL!! I passed a huge motor the other day that was taller than me, and my brain instantly started thinking of the size of rocks I could tumble with that.

  • @johnt4270
    @johnt4270 Před 7 měsíci

    If you over drive the speed you can use a voltage regulator to dial down the rpm to your desired speed, you can pick up a regulator at any Harbor Freight.

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 7 měsíci

      I jus picked up a motor with and speed adjuster for my next build.

  • @ssteele1812
    @ssteele1812 Před 11 měsíci

    There are a few videos on CZcams showing how to make pullies from plywood. My favorite is Matthias Wandel. If you want to refine the final RPM, you could look into that.

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 11 měsíci

      That's a good thought, and with the slower speed of the motor a wooden pulley would last a long time. However, I'm so far very happy with the speed it's been turning. Thank you for the heads up!

  • @garymaylon2025
    @garymaylon2025 Před 4 měsíci

    A parts list would be outstanding.

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 4 měsíci

      I am about a week away from releasing a video where I show the complete build of a new tumbler. The parts list will be almost identical to the list for the tumbler in this video, but I'll have more control over the content, and thusly a full parts list.

  • @halnewell2007
    @halnewell2007 Před 9 měsíci

    Perhaps you could provide (or sell) a tutorial on how to build the tumbler you show in this video. A parts list and construction diagram (probably using wood since there are more carpenters than welders!)

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 9 měsíci

      You absolutely read my mind. I'm a carpenter and I'm going to be remodeling this tumbler within the next few months with wood and I'll do a more in depth video when I do.

  • @kerrywil1
    @kerrywil1 Před 5 měsíci

    Great job thank you the math was not bad

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 5 měsíci

      Thanks. Sometimes it takes a minute to get the math figured out, again. 😀

  • @coburnlowman
    @coburnlowman Před 6 měsíci

    Slide pvc pipe over your rollers to up size them. That'll get your RPM s up.

  • @FeldwebelWolfenstool
    @FeldwebelWolfenstool Před 9 měsíci

    ..an old pal of mine (R.I.P.) had his rock tumblers made from 6 foot sections of pipeline pipe, supported on old truck rear tandem axles driven by 10 hp electric motors. He had enough of them running to do 30,000 lbs. of rock at the same time. #1 Unanswered Question in the tumbler community: Why do I have to vent my barrels periodically? Well, he was the expert, and even he didn't know why....

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 9 měsíci

      Now that's an expert! You're right about the venting. I get that stones will release gasses, but isn't there the same volume of it during tumbling as before tumbling?

  • @user-xz1er4lp4l
    @user-xz1er4lp4l Před rokem

    Thanks for sharing. I am going to build one and I like the way you did this one. I would love to know where your dad found the motor. That is what I am looking for. Thanks Kenny

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před rokem

      Unfortunately, my dad doesn't even know where the motor came from. He gave it to my uncle years ago, he never used it, and it was found again when we were looking for a motor. He said he did find a similar motor online, but I don't know where, and honestly, I'm not sure he'd be able to find it, again. He knows just enough about using the internet to not break it. :)

    • @user-xz1er4lp4l
      @user-xz1er4lp4l Před rokem +1

      Thanks for responding. I was hoping he remembered where he saw it online at. Thanks again.

  • @austinharding9734
    @austinharding9734 Před 8 měsíci

    Technically you're the ken dynasty, sounds kinna chinese so sounds pretty legit,
    The Ken Dynasty

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 8 měsíci

      Hehe. Gotta trademark that one. Might get more recognition than Ken Generations.

  • @dreamlookautodetailingauto3353

    I have usually seen the smaller pulley go on the motor shaft & the driven wheel is the bigger pulley? In reverse in what you have showing.
    Also, what is your center to center "bar spacing" (width) for the 3 pound barrels & 12 pound barrels? I believe lortone their 12lb barrel spacing at 5 inches. Is it different for bigger rods such as 3/4 inch?

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 6 měsíci +1

      The pulley size difference is cause by the motor rpm. Most people seem to use a 1700 rpm motor, whereas mine was only 65 rpm, so I need the larger pulley on the motor. I think I used 3 1/2" as the spacing between the shafts. There is a balance between stability riding on the shafts and the barrels causing outward pressure from sitting too low. I just measured the center to center spacing on the Lortone and the HF tumblers that I already and copied that to my tumbler. I didn't really consider shaft diameter in the center to center calculation.

    • @dreamlookautodetailingauto3353
      @dreamlookautodetailingauto3353 Před 6 měsíci +1

      @@kengensjewelry that makes sense of your pulley for the 65 rpm motor.
      No problem on the rod shaft. Thanks for answering. 😎

  • @Rodsmokingstuff
    @Rodsmokingstuff Před měsícem

    What size are the tumbler barells and do you know where to get the best deal on them

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před měsícem +1

      I used standard three pound barrels, so they're 4.5" in diameter, not sure on the height. As for pricing I'm not sure. I haven't bought any in a while because I've been patching the ones I have.

  • @kcrummel6873
    @kcrummel6873 Před 2 měsíci

    How did you attach those pulleys to your shaft is it with just a set screw or does it have a set screw and the key way also?

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 2 měsíci

      These pulleys came with set screws. There weren't any key ways, which wouldn't have mattered on these shafts, anyway.

  • @musicforsouls138
    @musicforsouls138 Před 8 měsíci

    Great Video Ken2. Very informative for the beginner. Just curious, do you plan to, or have you since put rubber or vinyl tubing on the shafts (to gain more traction)? Thanks

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 8 měsíci

      No, I haven't, and I don't plan currently plan to. People more experienced than me say the rubber barrels themselves have enough traction, and so far the same seems to be true of the PVC barrels. If I"m losing RPMs due to slippage, I haven't noticed.

    • @musicforsouls138
      @musicforsouls138 Před 8 měsíci +1

      I was thinking the same. It seems like you have sufficient traction, and you pick up a few more RPMs that way too... (shaft diameter is smaller) I think one mistake we sometimes make is not keeping the outsides of our barrels "tacky"- they tend to go glossy over time. Same with the shafts. It helps to rough up the soft surfaces with a light sanding periodically. Thanks for responding

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 8 měsíci

      Always happy to respond. Thanks for mentioning the sand paper. I would have forgotten that.

  • @austinharding9734
    @austinharding9734 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Do you have links for all the parts that you got?

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 8 měsíci

      Unfortunately I don't for this one. Most of the parts I were either stuff my dad and I had laying around or I ordered them off of Amazon. I will be making another tumbler from scratch soon and completely filming the process. I'll make sure to include a parts list and source list in that one.

  • @karlharvymarx2650
    @karlharvymarx2650 Před rokem

    I didn't hear much after Ken 1 built it in a day. And he rested for the other 6 days? Or did he go ahead and make a planet of nice rocks on the 2nd?

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před rokem

      Hehe. He considered his part done and moved on. Actually, he's not very video-genic so it was a trick to get him in the video at all. I think half the reason he built it so fast was so that he wouldn't be recorded building it.

  • @kcrummel6873
    @kcrummel6873 Před měsícem

    How far apart is your roller bars?

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před měsícem

      Sorry for the slow response, I was on vacation. The rollers on this unit are 2 3/4" center to center. I built a new tumbler that has them 3 1/4" apart. I made a video of the new tumbler that goes into much more depth on the dimensions. You can find it at czcams.com/video/mssuL-0WQrw/video.html It'll have all the parts, links, and dimensions.

  • @flynryan3053
    @flynryan3053 Před 11 měsíci +1

    what rpm do you want?
    barrel that is

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před 11 měsíci

      For me, personally, I like about 40 rpm. That seems to be a great average speed for soft and hard stones. I think the industry standard is 48 rpm, while I've heard some home builders like their stage four speeds at about 25-30 rpm. Or, half their rough polish speeds.

  • @isaaccp25
    @isaaccp25 Před rokem +1

    How can I show you my tumbler mines homemade 12v I’d run the nuts for the barrels together

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před rokem

      Not sure how to see it, unless you post it to your channel in private and send me the link. I hadn't really considered putting the nuts together, but it makes sense to put the smallest areas of contact against each other.

    • @isaacbocock
      @isaacbocock Před rokem

      @@kengensjewelry did you get a email from me

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před rokem

      No, I'm afraid not. You can try again at kengensjewelry@gmail.com. I'm interested to see what you've made.

    • @isaacbocock
      @isaacbocock Před rokem +1

      @@kengensjewelryhow much grit do you go through?

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před rokem

      @@isaacbocock I have the equivalent amount of about 22 3# barrels. By keeping the higher capacity PVC stage 1 dedicated I go through about 20-24 tablespoons of course grit. Probably about 24-32 tablespoons of stage 2 and 3 grit, and since I have the vibratory tumbler less than 2 teaspoons of stage 4.

  • @kcrummel6873
    @kcrummel6873 Před měsícem

    Does your motor run hot to the touch?

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před měsícem

      That one did, yes, and it didn't take too long for the motor to burn out. I think part of it might have been the age and use of the motor before I used it. I've since remade the tumbler as seen here czcams.com/video/mssuL-0WQrw/video.html and it runs hot to the touch, too, and requires me to keep a fan on it 24/7. But as the days reach 90 degrees, it keeps on running strong!

    • @kcrummel6873
      @kcrummel6873 Před měsícem +1

      @@kengensjewelry what is the new motor, and where did you buy it? I have a 1/2 horse electric motor, runs hot to the touch. Also a little bit noisy, thinking I should mount it on a thick piece of rubber. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před měsícem

      The complete material list is in the updated video. The tumbler in this video is mounted on a metal plate, when I put it on a large piece of styrofoam the noise definitely went down. The motor I'm using now is very quiet and you can find it at: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CQ1LC6FY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    • @kcrummel6873
      @kcrummel6873 Před měsícem +1

      @@kengensjewelry a sewing machine motor?

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před měsícem

      lol. Yeah. Someone recommended an industrial sewing machine motor and they weren't wrong. It's been working like a dream.

  • @austinharding9734
    @austinharding9734 Před 8 měsíci +1

    jus slip him a bill under his door

  • @kellyhollingsworth6100
    @kellyhollingsworth6100 Před rokem +1

    That is a lot of grit.

    • @kengensjewelry
      @kengensjewelry  Před rokem

      No lie there! I'll only be buying in 45 lb bags now.