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All Forums >> [Bottle Forums] >> Cleaning and Repairing >> Motor for Tumbler?

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Motor for Tumbler? - 10/29/2004 12:54:24 AM    Ryan Posts: 86 Joined: 12/6/2003 Status: offline I've been wanting to build my own tumbler (I'd buy one but I'm nowhere near able to afford one). I was thinking of using a spare garage door opener motor, but after doing the math I figured it would cost me $3.50 in electricity to run it for 3 days straight. Not bad compared to what it would cost to pay someone else to tumble it, but I'd still like to cheapen it if possible so I can tumble some fairly common bottles. So does anybody have any advice as to what is the ideal motor? How many amps and RPMs it should have? The fewer amps the better as far as operating costs go, but I want to make sure it's strong enough to spin the bottle and copper. I will only be doing one bottle at a time, so it doesn't have to be super strong... Thanks! -Ryan Post #: 1

RE: Motor for Tumbler? - 10/29/2004 2:30:00 PM    lobeycat Posts: 3800 Joined: 9/8/2003 From: RED SOX Nation Status: online Ryan, the type of moter you use is very important. The RMP's are critical. Too fast and you'll destroy a bottle. 65-80 RPMs is recommended for round bottles only. Any other shape has to be done at a slow the speed of 20-35 RPMs. The man to talk to on the subject is Wayne Lowry, aka The Jar Doctor. This is his site http://www.jardoctor.com/ you can also email him at JarDoctor@aol.com His two speed motor costs $185. I met him once at a show, he had a few of his machines set up, and he's very nice. I'm sure he'd give you the info you need so you can track down your own moter and save some money. Check out his site though, he has many accessories you might need. Also his basic one bottle machine without a moter is $125. I don't think you could build one that cheaply. Hope this helps and goodluck, Rich. (in reply to Ryan) Post #: 2

RE: Motor for Tumbler? - 10/29/2004 6:26:40 PM    Gunsmoke47 Posts: 1160 Joined: 12/29/2003 From: TEXAS Status: offline Hey Ryan, as Rich states, the motor is very important. The thing you need to remember is a very sick bottle will sometimes require 4-7 days with cutter oxide and 3-4 days with polish oxide. This has to be going 24/7 the whole time. If you use a cheap motor, you run the risk of not only burning your machine up but also your house. Something to think about. Godd luck with your project, Kelley (in reply to Ryan) Post #: 3

RE: Motor for Tumbler? - 11/30/2004 8:02:25 PM    slimdigger Posts: 116 Joined: 9/4/2004 From: Richmond, Va. Status: offline I use a 1725rmp 1/4 hp motor on my tumbler. You just have to reduce the rpm's using pulleys. I have my tumbler geared down to turn a 4 inch cannister about 60 revolutions per minute. Works great. The size of the motor is not that critical as long as you can do the math and slow it down using pulleys or gears. Slimdigger (in reply to Ryan) Post #: 4

All Forums >> [Bottle Forums] >> Cleaning and Repairing >> Motor for Tumbler?

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