We've just got done building a machine capable of stainless steel media tumbing 18 gallons of brass at one time. We build it to industrial standards. Here is the YouTube video link:
http://youtu.be/L3ymnUGzf68
A VFD controls the motor and converts single phase 120 into 3 Phase 240 for the motor. It has a timer, forward/backward control so you can reverse direction, a variable speed control, and emergency off switch.