building a tumbler

[idigjars]

Jim, email me. I just ordered some parts to make some stopples today. They are supposed to be here tomorrow. I can send you pics on how I make mine. I have bottles coming out tomorrow so I can show you a pic of the stopple whether the parts get here or not it will give you an idea. Paul

 

[buzzkutt033]

Believe it or not gang, the tumbler is up and running. I've gotta stop by the garage today and borrow a grease gun for my pillow bearings before i run it any length of time though. i timed it and it is turning at 25 rpm on the drive roller. this is a little under my target of 30-45 rpms. what do you all think?? gotta say i'm kinda surprised it's turning out as well as it is. of course, the help and advice i got here made the difference. thanx again for all your input.

i think i'll put the 6" cannisters on hold and start with 4".........

Jim

 

[buzzkutt033]

made some adjustments to the pulleys and now the drive roller is spinning at 46 rpm. gotta make some cannisters and stoppels, find some copper and then run a couple trial bottles thru to get a feel of how to do this. if i can do this, anyone can.........

Jim

 

[buzzkutt033]

hi campers. I'm heading out shopping tomorrow and would like to pick up materials to make cannisters. If i use Schedule 40 4" plastic pipe, will i be able to easily make stoppels to fit? this is the part i've been wondering about. i imagine i should make several different length cannisters for different length bottles. can anyone help?? thanx gang.

Jimbo

 

[idigjars]

Hi Jim, that is a great looking flask.

Please don't turn that flask until you've turned some other nothing bottles and gotten the hang of this process.

For your question, yes make some different lengths. I cut the pipe with my power mitre saw that has a carbide tipped blade on it.

Obviously you wouldn't need a long tube to turn an ink bottle and if the lengths are shorter you can put multiple tubes on the rollers.

To make tubes, I buy 1/4" to 3/8" plexiglass and glue the plexiglass pieces to the bottom of the schedule 40 pipe.

I cut the plexiglass pieces on my table saw slightly larger than the tube diameter and then use the pvc pipe cleaner and cement and glue them on the end. Don't be stingy with the glue, slather it on, excess ok even on the inside.

After 24 hours of drying, I take my router with a carbide tip bit for cutting formica, etc and cut off the plexiglass to make it round like the tube.

I use bottle base holders that I can take in and out. That's why I do it this way. Makes them more versatile at least from my perspective.

Not had any problems with inks, smaller bottles in doing this. I can post pics when I get home of how I make these if you want me to. Good luck with your project. Paul

 

[buzzkutt033]

I'm with you on the ends of the cannisters, it's the holders for the base and top of the bottle i'm wondering about................how do I fabricate these???

thanx again Paul


Jimbo

 

[idigjars]

Hello Jim, this is what I use. Just giving you ideas. JarDoctor, Wayne Lowery sells stopples and base holders if you want to go that route.

I take 3/8" plexiglass and drill holes in the base and tap them, then put stainless steel machine screws in. I bend them to an angle with pliers then put vinyl/plastic tubing over the screws that fits snuggly over the screws.

I use a four finger for round inks, 3 finger for round medicines, and 2 finger for rectangular bottles.

Just showing you what works for me. For larger items like fruit jars it's best to get regular made base holders like Wayne sells.

Just sharing. Paul

 

[idigjars]

3 finger

 

[idigjars]

2 finger

 

[idigjars]

For stoppers I buy round plastic dowel from McMaster Carr (5' for about $10 + shipping).

I cut a piece about 1 1/4" length.

Drill a hole in the center with a 5/16" drill bit then tap the hole using a 3/8" X 16 tap. Then put the piece in my drill press and using a drywall rasp make the angle I want.

This works for me for any medicine, ink, regular mouth type bottle. Obviously wouldn't work for a fruit jar. JarDoctor can help with that or any other parts you might need.

Just sharing Paul