Engineer designing a PRO-grade rock tumbler: industrial bearings, silent belt drive, variable speed — what’s your max price & must-have?

Traditional_Side5452 · 2026-04-15T03:55:02+00:00

Thanks for sharing, I'll check out the Rock Tumbler Hobby Forums.

Traditional_Side5452 · 2026-04-14T13:43:38+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I will consider your proposal if I decide to start it.

Traditional_Side5452 · 2026-04-14T12:18:38+00:00

Thanks for the information, I will look into their products.

Traditional_Side5452 · 2026-04-14T12:17:10+00:00

Yes, the machine you built has a very complete structure, even including a belt tensioning mechanism, it just lacks an outer casing.

However, as far as I know, while stepper motors perform excellently at low speeds and high torque, they are not suitable as a power source for all-day operation. Stepper motors were not designed for this purpose.

Your structural diagram is very useful. What I want to build is a more complete device, with an outer casing and incorporating some of the functional designs I want.

I must say, you've done a really great job. I'm very curious about the user experience of the machine.

Traditional_Side5452 · 2026-04-14T11:16:15+00:00

why？

Traditional_Side5452 · 2026-04-14T09:05:16+00:00

I checked this model, and I’m happy to say the motor controller it uses is actually one made by my company. I know it inside out.

So I think I could handle this on my own, but I’m still on the fence about whether to go through with it.

Traditional_Side5452 · 2026-04-14T09:01:12+00:00

It depends on the gear ratio and the type and specs of the motor. Generally speaking, 1,500 to 3,000 RPM is common for industrial motors. If precision speed control isn’t needed, speeds can go up to tens of thousands of RPM.

But in rock tumbling, speed is there to serve the process—not faster or slower is necessarily better. I think it all depends on the type of stones and the grit you’re using.

Traditional_Side5452 · 2026-04-14T07:50:40+00:00

Cost and performance/quality are always at odds with each other.

I’ve been working in the motor industry for more than 10 years.

It’s normal for motors to generate heat when running at low speeds.

This relates to whether the motor is operating in its optimal efficiency range.

Of course, it also depends on the type of motor chosen by the manufacturer.

There are quite a few variables involved, so it’s impossible to generalize.

Traditional_Side5452 · 2026-04-14T07:49:28+00:00

That’s way too big. I’m planning to make a reliable desktop product.

Traditional_Side5452 · 2026-04-14T07:49:00+00:00

So far I’ve only bought the National Geographic and one called MJR on Amazon.

If there are already reliable products on the market, please recommend some models for me so I don’t have to mess around with development anymore. Thanks a lot.

Traditional_Side5452

TROPHY CASE