Transforming Stones: Rock Tumbler Grit Exchange

Running this batch at 80 silicon carbide. I will be tumbling all the batches for the foreseeable future with lower grit so I can process them faster. Had time before leaving for a work trip so I swapped em out. Hope you enjoy!
#utah #geology #rockhound #rocktumbling #rocktumbler

[@jefftrag1956]

I read about how to make an industrial tumbler out of a rear axle of a big semi truck with the rims and tires in place. You want to cut an opening in the highest part of the rim to load rocks. The article said a cover is not needed but I always thought if I was going to do one I would have a hinged door sealed with inner tube rubber. The idea is to set up a motor geared down so the tires rotate slowly and all the rocks stay in the lowest part of the tire at all times tumbling over each other. Each tire can hold about 100 lbs of rocks and you have 4 tires going at all times each one with a different grit. Always use the same tire for the same grit. You rotate the rocks once a week and you have 100 lbs of polished tumbled stones each week. I have been wondering if you could use quartz sand as grit for the first stage to do the rough rounding off? I am posting this on all videos about rock hounding to spread the idea, if this is you channel and you do not like that let me know. The fact that the tumbling will all take place in a rubber tire should help keep the noise down. The rocks should never touch the rim. I have suggested to people that they make a soundproof shed just big enough to be practical so the noise will be minimized. Plus the rubber in a tire is thick and should absorb a lot of the noise. Also you should have a small fan on the motor to keep it cool. A high quality motor will be a must as it will run 24 hours a day. I am no expert but with the proper gearing the motor should not be under too much stress. I would sell the tumbled stones. Once tumbled, you grade them by quality and type. Some would be really valuable. I bet you could average $10 usd per pound with just good found material and more if you have high grade material. Definitely not for the weekend rock hound but if you sell stones or want to, what a cheap way to start. You could tumble other people's rocks for a fee or shares too. You could make one with car tires for a smaller scale operation. There has to be a lot of people with 30 year in the making, 3 ton pile of rocks out behind their house. With this they could see results from all that collecting.

[@mudbrothersrock]

That’s a fantastic idea, I’ve always wanted to use tires but they actually wear out very quick. If there was some way to reinforce the inside of the tire that idea would be perfect. Eventually when I have my own place I could see that idea coming to fruition but the noise would probably upset the neighbors

[@JelliedBrains]

So it'll be the 3 1/2 month update next time?

[@mudbrothersrock]

Hopefully not as long as my rock tumbler doesn’t grenade itself again lol. Now that it’s warmer it will be nicer to get outside and tumble/Rockhound too