New 1.5hp, variable speed tumbler!!

[BenR.T.]

So I like making all my own tools if possible, partly because I enjoy it. But mostly because I am CHEAP! I had this crazy Idea to cannibalize my longboard and make a tumbler attachment for my grinder. So this is what I came up with. It will hold up to a 22" blade.

I cold blued than tumbled this blade with ceramic media for about 45min.
I now next to nothing about stonewashed/acidwashed finishes, so any pointers would be helpful.

 

[Don Nguyen]

Haha, that is wild!

 

[Brian Ayres]

Genius.

 

[12345678910]

Interesting idea

the small diameter of the drum may be giving you a small scratch pattern.

maybe a larger drum?


Are you using any liquid like a simple green solution ?

 

[BenR.T.]

Yes, I might try using a bigger cylinder and add some fins or angles to help with the tumbling action. Right now I can only run it on the slowest speed otherwise centrifugal force takes over and everything stops tumbling. A larger cylinder would also slow the gear ratio down which should help as well.
Right now I am just using a little water in it.

 

[drlozier]

Very cool and I admire your ingenuity. At what stage during your knife making do you use the tumbler ? Do you use it just for a stone finish ? Thanks

 

[Phil Dwyer]

Getting a glimps into another persons brain can be a real trip!

Do you have any trouble keeping the tube centered? Does it want to creep toward one end or the other?

 

[BenR.T.]

Yes it does like to drift Phil, if I find the sweet spot it will stay pretty centered though.
And yeah my brain is like a fine Swiss watch.............all smashed up and thrown in the dryer!!!

 

[synthesist]

This is a brilliant example of re-purposing. I wish I'd kept a skateboard when I had the garage sale now..................

Good job

Syn

 

[Mr. Night]

cool idea man

 

[Shannon Carter]

Awesome idea! I picked up a tumbler from Harbor Freight not long ago, but realized that I would soon need something larger! Problem solved, thanks!

 

['71 Commando]

That is a brilliant field expedient solution. A larger drum and some kind of thrust bearing would make it just about perfect. I wouldn't want to tie up my grinder for hours of tumbling but I have all the parts to do this within 10' of my grinder! A slow rotation and larger drum would give better contact between media and parts but I might just try this. -H

 

[optiondrifter]

I just saw this thread and i agree with everyone, this IS GENIUS! have you tried substituting a leather stroping belt belt instead of the abrasive belt? I figure they would have more grip on the pvc tube.