tumbler timer

[Eazmo]

Whooped this together this morning. Got this 12 hour manual timer from Lowe's for 15 bucks. I had a dual gang box, receptacle, cord, plug. If you had to buy it all would be about 30 bucks.
I decided to keep it portable rather than hard wire to the bench that way i could use it for other things but don't know what . all components are rated for up to 1 horse motor.

I tried the lamp timer way but they also turn back on if unattended this just runs for set time and done.

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[LennieT]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.....I have been meaning to do something like this for at least a year now. I knew I was going to have to go and hunt down the parts but you did that for me. On my way to Lowes!

 

[lightman]

Being an electrician,I used a time clock.Mostly because I already had it.It also does duty on my wifes Christmas lights.Easmo,thats a pretty neat set-u. Lightman

 

[mbopp]

I made an identical box. I also use it for my cordless drill charger, I find the batteries last longer if you don't leave them on charge continuously.

 

[Eazmo]

I also use it for my cordless drill charger

Hmmm, good idea

 

[Starter52]

I have a portable digital timer that is controlling the Xmas lights right now, but when the season is over it will go back onto my tumbler. I like to tumble brass when I'm at work and the timer turns the machine on-and-off for me.

 

[kelbro]

Great idea.

Here's the best product that I have found for drill batteries or any other smallish battery charger (like mobile phones) http://www.igo.com/other-power/power-smart-wall-with-igo-greenr-technology/invt/pm000120004/

Once the battery is charged, this device cuts off power from the mains until there is a load applied. Also works like a bettery tender to keep the battery topped off. Use the drill, battery runs down, put it back in the charger base. This device senses that the battery now needs a charge and turns the charger back on.

 

[CHALK22]

I use a simple lamp timer. Yes, it will turn back on again, but I just set the tumbler to run during the night, and in the morning when I pull the car out of the garage, I unplug it. Easy. I think I cost around 9 bucks.

 

[rondog]

I use one of these lamp timers, very cheap. Yes, there's "on" and "off" pins, but I just removed all of them but one "off" pin. I turn the timer on manually which starts the tumbler, and set the "off" pin to turn it off after running however many hours I want it to. It doesn't turn back on by itself.

 

[nd hunter]

tumbler Timer,

Nice, Great Idea, thank you for sharing.

 

[JohnM]

I use one of these lamp timers, very cheap. Yes, there's "on" and "off" pins, but I just removed all of them but one "off" pin. I turn the timer on manually which starts the tumbler, and set the "off" pin to turn it off after running however many hours I want it to. It doesn't turn back on by itself.

Beautiful!
I've had one of those simple switches for 30 years, using it for a variety of chores.
Only thing bugged me about the one I have, is the rotating on/off blocks would only allow about a minimum of 2 1/2 hours between movements of the switch.
Gotta pull that thing apart and see how it's built inside.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I also do what Rondog does with a lamp timer. Pull the ON pins and leave one OFF pin in place.

I just plug it in and rotate the dial so there are several hours left on the thing before it turns off.

 

[mgmorden]

I've been using a GE digital timer myself. Cost about $15. It's meant mostly for scheduled events, but going through the manual I found an option for what they termed a "Countdown" mode where it just runs for a set time. The standard countdown has to be set ahead of time (which I set to 5 hours), and from then on I can just come in and press two buttons to set it off to run that long.

It seems to work well for me.

 

[dtalley]

Just made one of the Eazmo timers and I like it alot. Buying everything except the cord was $25.33. I'll have to make another one next week because my son will probably steal this one. I plan on using it for my tumbler and my dehydrater. Well worth the money spent...

Thanks for your inovated mind Eazmo

 

[mmorris]

I leave my tumbler running until I remember to turn it off because the internet said that sitting still in the media will cause spots on the brass.

Now, the Internet says otherwise

I've never tested the theory

Anybody have spotted brass?

 

[dtalley]

I've left my brass sitting in media for as long as 2 weeks with no ill effects.
I sometimes forget it is running and have let it run for several days while gone on a trip. I prefer not to burn up the motor before it's time is why I was wanting a timer...

 

[1SOW]

Eazmo, you didn't even scratch up the screws. That looks sweet.

I use the cheap lamp timer for my tumbler; but I may make one also, primarily for my drill batteries. Excellent idea.

Another thought, the cheap lamp timers "don't shut themselves off". They run until you unplug them.

 

[Eazmo]

Eazmo, you didn't even scratch up the screws. That looks sweet.

Thats funny. When i was trained on wiring if the screws slots were not all aligned straight up and down or the screws scratched i was in big trouble

Thanks, It has been working great. Yea i tried the lamp timer way and didn't like it turning back on. I'm not comfortable leaving things running when I'm not home. I guess the one i had was different because i didn't see how to remove the on pins like some of the guys have said. Anyway I'm super happy with my set up.