Home-made large Vibratory Tumbler Thead

[Timmer]

If anyone has instructions / pictures / any input at all on how to build large vibratory tumblers could you please post your info here. A single spot for all questions regarding this topic is required.

Although I have read many posts on tumblers, none that I have found, give solid instructions on how to build one. For myself at least, I require something that will allow me to successfully polish up the Techline products to use on headers as well as the appropriate media. Any and all suggestions are welcomed as well as different sizes of tumblers for other applications.

Im thinking some sort of half barrel full of media on an offset pulley..but, like I really know..heh

Thanks!

[Timmer]

Re: Home-made large Vibratory Tumbler Thead

has no one here made there own vibratory polisher / shaker?

[pickleboy]

Re: Home-made large Vibratory Tumbler Thead

i have been thinking it would be a good idea also but i am at the stage before you are in not knowing where to start

[steelvision]

Re: Home-made large Vibratory Tumbler Thead

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14464

and

http://www.buildgear.cjb.net/

Are the two sites I am using to do mine.

Good luck

[Timmer]

Re: Home-made large Vibratory Tumbler Thead

Doesn anyone else here have plans or do most people buy their tumblers?

[fly]

Re: Home-made large Vibratory Tumbler Thead

What size do you plan to build I have a idea but havent put it to use yet.

[Timmer]

Re: Home-made large Vibratory Tumbler Thead

Well...big enought to house one set of a big block V8 headers. I figure if i can get at least one set (side..so 4 pipes) everything eles should be a breeze. I dont have the 4 grand to buy a retail one but there MUST be others that have already build one and works good.

I would love to see your suggestions...it would be cool to try and build one together even.

trevorwatkins "@" sympatico.ca

[pickleboy]

Re: Home-made large Vibratory Tumbler Thead

yes fly please share the idea. i to am interested in it.

[fly]

Re: Home-made large Vibratory Tumbler Thead

Well, one of my ideas is to use a cheap 5 gallon bucket with a locking lid as the container for the parts..
Take the lid and cut about 25% off leaving 75% lid to lock down on the bucket and use a piano hing and pop rivit it back in place so that the 25% can be the door.
On one end of the bucket use two pieces of metal (1/16 thick) and cut it to match the one end and weld a shaft to one of those pieces and sandwitch the two pieces (one on the inside and outside of bucket) to one end, and repeat the same step to the other end.
On the bottom end of bucket make sure the shaft is long enough for a pulley and find a electric motor, I got one free from a air condition man who pulled a blower from a central unit. Build a frame how every tall you want it to be and mount the motor with the belt that your going to use on the stand. I am not sure on the pulley ratio that would be good for this idea but I have a book that will tell me what to use when I get ready to build it.
On the frame I am going to mount a bearing on top of two post that will hold the bucket horizontal. No this idea has not been put into use yet and I now that I am going to have bugs that need to be worked out, but I thought it would be cheap and simple. My parts that I plate or mostly motorcycle parts anyway so I dont need a big tumbler. Yea there are little details that I didn't list but you get the picture, I would show the drawing that I did on all the correct measurments but I don't have my camra. Besides I think you can mount a motor and build a frame.

[fly]

Re: Home-made large Vibratory Tumbler Thead

On a bigger idea, I would use a 55 gallon drum (plastic)
Build a frame that would have 4 wheels, one of the wheels being the drive wheel. The wheels would be small and they would be mounted so that the drum could be placed horizontal on top of the 4 wheels.
The frame would be similar to the other idea (5gal. bucket) so that the drum would be stationary and shaft mounted on each end.
The door would be similar as the other idea but in the middle of the drum so that you could reach the parts. Once again I can get a drum free along with other parts, you just have to look for them, QUOTE: Another mans junk is another mans treasure. Yea this idea also has not been put into use but maybe one day I can get time to make them, cause I need them in my plating process, I like the idea of doing two things at one time or when Im sleeping at night waking up to a part that is ready the next moring and I didn't have to polish it. I think I would rather have this idea anyway, now that I think about it..... Any questions feel free to ask, I like coming up with different ways of doing things, I might can help improve one of your ideas, just try me......

[cdaeme]

Re: Home-made large Vibratory Tumbler Thead

Well...big enought to house one set of a big block V8 headers. I figure if i can get at least one set (side..so 4 pipes) everything eles should be a breeze. I dont have the 4 grand to buy a retail one but there MUST be others that have already build one and works good.

I would love to see your suggestions...it would be cool to try and build one together even.

trevorwatkins "@" sympatico.ca

Timmer, I have my brother working on the design now. He is a design engineer for a company that makes aspalt plants. We have already designed a custom blast cabinet and Auto-Rotisserie and he knows his **** and has access to cheap steel. I will be building one of these over the next few weeks, and will post up some drawings for suggestions. It will be based off the design here http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14464 . This looks like it would do one full length header at a time. I will keep you posted. I just passed along the pics to him today so it will take a couple of days to get it moving along.

Jason

https://www.autocyclepc.com

[Timmer]

Re: Home-made large Vibratory Tumbler Thead

Sweeeet!

The only thing I am concerned about is the plastic drum they used. I think a rectangular metal tub would be best...at least for the long run.??

I guess my other concern (since I have never seen one in action) is if the part ever has a chance to rub on the bottom or sides of the bin if it will tend to rub the coatings off. (shrug)

Cus if it didnt..Im thinkin that some sort of a "cement mixer" type setup would work..and with less media. I big round metal buckety thing on an angle spinning slowly would have a better effect then a shake......dunno though...still a newbie PC'er

[fly]

Re: Home-made large Vibratory Tumbler Thead

Thats what I had in mind, but I think the drum need some sort of ribs inside to catch the parts and media to cause flipping....

[cdaeme]

Re: Home-made large Vibratory Tumbler Thead

Im only looking to make a vibe. I do not need the tumbling action onlt the vibe for creamic coating. The media you need for ceramic is called Micro Bright.

Jason

[Timmer]

Re: Home-made large Vibratory Tumbler Thead

I just want a tumbler that will work for the ceramic coating process. I dont care if it spins, flips or trips....just gotta work.

Im not sure of the easiest way to share ideas but if anyone here has an idea...let us know. I would LOVE to start the project by this weekend. I dont have a huge budget but would love to grasp the basic premis on how the tumbler actually make the tub vibrate...and know how to adjust the speed and intensity of the vibration.