Stone Tumbler Attachment Idea

[KnuckleDownKnives]

Hi all. So I've been playing with this idea in my head for a while because I want to do some stone washing on some blades, but need a stone tumbler. Space is limited in my shop so a dedicated machine isn't something I really want/need. I saw a video a while back where someone made one, but it used flange bearings on the caps of the pipe and looked hard to used, but was effective. Can't find it to link to it, but this is the idea I came up with. Basically a couple rollers and the belt of your grinder would hold the pipe in place and the belt would spin the pipe. I have access to some long rubber rollers with roughly 1/4" steel shafts.

What are your thoughts?

 

[KnuckleDownKnives]

Haha, well looking for the post I saw long ago has proved to hard to find, but It appears my idea has already been made in close form, and appears to work well..

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/new-1-5hp-variable-speed-tumbler.960707/

 

[KnuckleDownKnives]

Only took all day, but found it and wanted to post it so other could see.

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

Interesting. A standard arm attachment should be easy, I guess the question is how slow you need to run it, how long, etc. I've thought of making something similar to marinate beef jerky in, but it turns way too fast. I can think of a few things that would be useful for.

 

[JTknives]

This is funny, I had the same problem when trying to tumble brass and lead buckshot. I finely settled on a large pickle jar, a 2x4 and my wife's treadmill. put the 2x4 across the back and set the jar on it and fire it up. Rather noisy but worked really good lol. I like the grinder attachment idea

 

[REK Knives]

4" pvc may be too small (won't allow enough room for the stones to tumble around probably) I would go 6-8". plus I've read you need some baffles in there to help but I may be wrong.

 

[JTknives]

Never tumbled stone but if the container is slick plastic then the stones/shot will just slide and not turn over.

 

[butcher_block]

this is interestign as i have been thinking abuot a tumbler

 

[JG Custom Metal Works]

I just snagged the huge 18lb Harbor Freight tumbler and haven’t looked back. It works great, is fairly cheap.

https://www.harborfreight.com/18-lb-vibratory-bowl-with-liquid-drain-hose-96923.html

 

[JTknives]

We had that exzactly same tumbler at my last job and it worked good but would not fit very long knives.

 

[KnuckleDownKnives]

We had that exzactly same tumbler at my last job and it worked good but would not fit very long knives.

Yes, that is the exact reason I'd like to build this. Thinking of the future when making larger knives.

Here are some updates to the design. Over all Pipe length would be 24" plus end caps.

1. Changed to 6" PVC pipe from 4".
2. Added baffles. Would be made from 3/4" or 1" x 6" vinyl trim found at Home Depot or Lowes and cut into strips.
3. Added PVC couplings to go over the 6" PVC pipe. These would need to be modified or cut so they can slip completely down the pipe. these will be used as part of the tracking so the pipe can only move a little side to side.
4. Flat bar arms added to prevent side to side movement other then a little.

1.