6' x 4' Tumbler finally done

[passthru]

just finished my 6' DIA x 4' wide tumbler. always more the what you think.  Want to thank those who Added some input that help me achieve this.

1 HP motor
15:1 gearbox speed reducer
lovejoy coupling
20" cast iron double groove drive pulley
two 5/8" v-belts 75" long

RPM just over 17.5

went with the 15:1 gear box because I wanted a big drive pulley which allowed me to achieve a longer arm which helps the tumbler turn easier especially with cob grit and a hide.

still cannot find any corn cob grit locally... may need to order on line...

here are some pictures

[oldshaver]

Wood flour will handle most skins just fine.

Dont tumble Mule deer, pronghorn, or thick skinned, short haired bears more than 30min.

Beware long haired, thin skined, wooly bears! Tumbling too long will leave you with a bear full of matted fur!

Dont tumble fur bearers full of holes very long. EVERY single hole will be surrounded by matted hair.

Tumblers are a great tool to have,but they can also be your worst nightmare!

[MVT]

Wood flour will handle most skins just fine.

Dont tumble Mule deer, pronghorn, or thick skinned, short haired bears more than 30min.

Beware long haired, thin skined, wooly bears! Tumbling too long will leave you with a bear full of matted fur!

Dont tumble fur bearers full of holes very long. EVERY single hole will be surrounded by matted hair.

Tumblers are a great tool to have,but they can also be your worst nightmare!

I've never had a problem with matting. I comb a little diluted downy fabric softener in the hair before tumbling. I tumble a lot of thick long haired bears and wolves here in AK and I will let them run for a lot longer than 30 min. I use corn grit and never have tried sawdust so I don't know if that has anything to do with the matting. I had a friend send me around 60 coyotes and bobcats that he had tanned himself and used course sawdust to tumble in an old dryer. They were matted and twisted up. I misted them all with downy gave them a quick brush and tumbled them for a couple hours. 75% of them came out clean and tangle free.

[Hudson]

Wood flour will handle most skins just fine.

Dont tumble Mule deer, pronghorn, or thick skinned, short haired bears more than 30min.

Beware long haired, thin skined, wooly bears! Tumbling too long will leave you with a bear full of matted fur!

Dont tumble fur bearers full of holes very long. EVERY single hole will be surrounded by matted hair.

Tumblers are a great tool to have,but they can also be your worst nightmare!

LMAO......I almost fell out of my chair.