So after debating the purchase of the stainless steel media kit with a Thumlers Model B, I decided to build my own. I got some good ideas watching youtube, and went out and picked up parts to start the build. I have just started the build, so I will update with pictures when it is in working condition.
The cost (so far) is around 150 dollars, with the majority of that figure being the stainless media itself. I dont think I will need anymore parts that I dont have laying around the house. I picked up a treadmill on craigslist that needed a new walking belt. I figured the 2.75 HP self cooled continuous duty motor would be more than sufficient. I will be harnessing the motor, drive shaft with pulley, and idler roller shaft as the power source for my tumbler. The rest of the treadmill is getting tossed. I also picked up 2, 18 inch long sections of 8inch pvc pipe with end caps from my local plumbers scrap pile for 10 bucks. I have a dimmer switch to control the RPMs of the motor, and a Timer that will be hardwired into the motor with 1,2, and 4 hour settings. I put together the tumbler barrels tonight, and they very comfortably hold 3 gallons of water each. By my calculations, that is 3 times the capacity of the Thumlers model, and I should be able to clean about 900 pieces of brass (9mm) in each barrel. The barrel filled and ready for tumbling should weigh about 43 lbs, significantly less that what a treadmill motor is used to handling..........
Has anyone else constructed one of these things? So far, all the building has matched my "In theory" calculations, but I am a little ways from done. I know cleaning close to a thousand pieces at a time might seem like overkill, but why not go big? That and, I can have the satisfaction of building my own.
The cost (so far) is around 150 dollars, with the majority of that figure being the stainless media itself. I dont think I will need anymore parts that I dont have laying around the house. I picked up a treadmill on craigslist that needed a new walking belt. I figured the 2.75 HP self cooled continuous duty motor would be more than sufficient. I will be harnessing the motor, drive shaft with pulley, and idler roller shaft as the power source for my tumbler. The rest of the treadmill is getting tossed. I also picked up 2, 18 inch long sections of 8inch pvc pipe with end caps from my local plumbers scrap pile for 10 bucks. I have a dimmer switch to control the RPMs of the motor, and a Timer that will be hardwired into the motor with 1,2, and 4 hour settings. I put together the tumbler barrels tonight, and they very comfortably hold 3 gallons of water each. By my calculations, that is 3 times the capacity of the Thumlers model, and I should be able to clean about 900 pieces of brass (9mm) in each barrel. The barrel filled and ready for tumbling should weigh about 43 lbs, significantly less that what a treadmill motor is used to handling..........
Has anyone else constructed one of these things? So far, all the building has matched my "In theory" calculations, but I am a little ways from done. I know cleaning close to a thousand pieces at a time might seem like overkill, but why not go big? That and, I can have the satisfaction of building my own.
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