The B1A1 is a rock tumbler that I built. I wanted to grind some big loads and try my hand at grinding and polishing larger rocks - softball to football size - so a larger machine than my Thumlers was needed. The design was done using Google Sketch Up - it is a great drawing package - all parts correctly dimensioned and 3D. The machine has a capacity of between 100 pounds and 200 pounds of rocks - mostly dependent upon the size of tires used. This has been fun to plan and a hoot to build. Follow the assembly process here.
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Here is what the action looks like inside one of the B1A1 tires while the machine is operating. This is a 17 inch truck tire loaded with 30 pounds of hammer broken stone, 3 pounds of 46 - 70 silicone carbide grit and 1/2 gallon of water. I can hardly wait to get 4 of these running - that is hard rocking!
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This picture shows one of the many reasons that I really enjoy running the B1A1 rock tumbler. The pile of rocks on the left is from a Thumler Model B - a 15 pound machine. The Model B barrel is sitting behind the rocks. On the right is a load of rocks from one tire of the B1A1 - about 65 pounds of rocks. If you have enough rocks to feed it, the B1A1 can grind 200 pounds of rocks and does it with the same ease as a Model B.
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