build my own tumbler

[fsperry]

Have decided to build my own tumbler and I need some info, especially on the electric motor, bearings, etc. Is it worth the effort ? Thanks in advance

 

[Gunsmoke47]

Hi fsperry and welcome to the Forum. In my opinion, having a tumbler is very much worth the effort. Building one is not. Unless of coarse you just enjoy a Grand challenge and are able to except temporary setback and failure with ease.[] Seriously, by building one you will save some money but there will be a lot of trial and error associated with your first attempt. Check out Eddies link here. He has some pretty good info. http://www.privydigger.com/cleaning.htm Hope this helps, Kelley

PS. Good luck on your project should you decide to undertake it.[]

 

[fsperry]

Hey thanks Kelley. I'm kinda handy (in the Tim the Toolman way) so I would still like to try and build one. I have some ideas after looking at a few available on the market, and altering someone elses unit doesn't seem fair. I'lll check the link you sent and thank you again for the help ; it is appreciated !

 

[Bottle tumbler]

Let me ask you some thing before you build one. how much are you going to spend on building one? costs,time, trials.errors.

 

[fsperry]

I really haven't given cost/time/trials and errors much thought. My nephew is an electrician, I've worked as a carpenter , and I have friends who have a machine shop, so with our "collective heads" together, we may be able to come up with something ; maybe even something newer, better, improved. Who knows ? Sounds like a fun challenge.

 

[old digger]

Sure would like an update on "build my own tumbler", how's it gone so far?

 

[BRIAN S.]

Hi fsperry !
Go for it ! You can save some money if you have the ambition and a little know how !
Ask the forum member Brad S. to post some pics and info on his tumbler .( he built it himself and it tumbles 2 bottles at one time). He built my one bottle tumbler and picked up almost all the parts " Cheap " at the local flea market. Of course he bought the tube and the ends that hold the bottle from a cleaning/tumbling supply dealer. Brad even cuts his own copper with a gadget he uses on his drill press. Copper is exspensive to buy already cut !!!!!!!
Brad do you want to help him out and save him a lot of head scratching ????? Brian

 

[flasherr]

I would definitely like to see your list. I especially would like to see how you cut copper I can get a hold of copper wire but wasn't sure how to cut it. Please share if you don't mind. I have people looking out for parts so I can build mine.
Brian

 

[Maine Digger]

Hi Guys, I'm in the process of building my own tumbler as well. We have an 'event' in our city called "Spring Clean-UP' every year. Residents can throw anything away on the curb, and the city will cart it away. Those of us in the know, refer to it as the great week-long 'Swap Meet'[8D] You wouldn't believe the things people throw out, I've 'picked' some great bottles (people toss out boxes of those old dsty things dad collected), fantastic antique furniture. etc.,my wife and I sold $470 worth of this 'stuff' at a yard sale.[] But back to the subject, this past spring I picked up 3 electric motors, 2 -1/3hp, 1-1/2hp. They came out of a building being renovated, were used on the heating/circulating systems. They look new and run great. I decided then and there to use one to build a tumbler. No offense to Tumbler', I just want to try it myself, as said above, the enjoyment is in the challenge. And I thank the professionals who do it for a living for sharing photos and design tips in advance! I will continue to guide people their way who don't have the abuilty or the desire to attempt building their own.[]

 

[flasherr]

That is an interesting contraption for cutting copper. Does it drop the copper out the bottom? You definitely get an A+ for ingenuity and effort. That is unless you stole the idea from someone else then you only get an A. What is clear PVC used for anyway. I have never seen it except in pictures of peoples tumblers. There are a lot of neat ideas and pictures on the following board http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bottletumblers/. This is by far the best board out there keep up the good work guys.
Brian