On Wed, 29 Jun 2005 16:35:18 GMT, "Leo Lichtman"
wrote:


"SteveB" wrote: I want to make a roller for a 55 gallon plastic barrel to
mix up potting soil. It doesn't have to be huge, and it won't be turning a
lot of weight.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The weight will not be centered unless the drum is completely full or
completely empty, so may take quite a bit of torque to get it moving.

I have another suggestion: Hang the drum from two V-belts. Drive the
V-belts with two small pulleys on a horizontal shaft. That will give you
quite a bit of speed reduction. If you drive the shaft with a V-belt from a
motor shaft, you can get whatever further reduction you find you need.
Total cost should be moderate.

Someone not long ago posted something similar..a photo IRRC of a rock
tumbler set up this way. Seemed like a very handy, simple and
effective way to do this.

Gunner

"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you
for torturing the cat." Gunner