Rock Tumbler

thingiverse

This is a very affordable rock tumbler. You will need four skateboard bearings, a motor, a power supply, and some one-millimeter thick rubber sheet, all available on eBay. Bearings I obtained here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10pcs-Ball-Bearing-608ZZ-Bearing-Deep-Groove-Ball-Bearing-8mm-22mm-7mm-Useful/332464460888?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 £2.98 for ten, 29.8p each times four equals £1.19. The rubber sheet I obtained here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SOLID-RUBBER-SHEET-BLACK-1400MM-x-1MM-Leatherette-Commercial-Grade-Polymer/272537621896?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 I didn't use much, the cost wasn't worth mentioning. The motor I obtained here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Miniature-motor-365-round-Motor-DC-12-24V-3000-RPM-6000-RPM-DC-Motor-DIY/401295531499?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 £2.27. The PSU was the most expensive, I bought this from Maplin, set to 12V: https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/6w-multi-voltage-acdc-power-supply-xx09k £9.99. So, less than fifteen dollars altogether for a finished rock roller. I removed the PSU connector and soldered the wires directly to the motor, turn on and off using mains switch on wall socket. It runs at about one revolution per second. Rubber sheet is used inside end caps of drum to seal (make it water tight), used inside and outside drum (to quieten), used on rollers and outside of lids (grip). The drive band is created by mixing up oogoo, putting into mould and letting set. Each band appears to last about a month, been trying to create drive bands from rubber sheet, but not been successful yet. I've also created a plywood box which is carpeted inside and out with carpet tiles to further quieten it, but I'm not totally convinced this works. I've had two of these running for 24 hours per day, one week for each stage. For details and pictures details of rock rolling still in progress, see here: http://trevmhomers.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/rock-tumbler.html I still have not completed a full set of stones polishing through four stages to nice and shiny.