ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 5, 2016 15:58:33 GMT -5
Well, I've been told by enough people that the Lot-O will change the way I tumble. My birthday is in 2 weeks and I decided to get an early gift for myself. Can't wait!
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huskeric
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 353
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Post by huskeric on Sept 5, 2016 17:37:36 GMT -5
Congratulations! You'll have to share pics of your first batch, and let me know how the experience goes. I'm still insisting that I learn to do things the hard way. =)
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 5, 2016 19:34:41 GMT -5
Well, here's where I am after running one 6lb barrel for almost 2 months. These have only been tumbled in 60/90 and pulled when they were completely smooth. This should be plenty to get started with. Now I can run both barrels of my QT-66 which should double my output.
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richardh
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 391
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Post by richardh on Sept 5, 2016 19:43:52 GMT -5
I'm jealous! I want a Lot-O and your pile of rocks looks awesome!
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Post by Garage Rocker on Sept 5, 2016 20:03:13 GMT -5
The Lot O will do that pile justice. Can't wait to see them finished.
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Post by orrum on Sept 6, 2016 7:04:03 GMT -5
Loto is loto fun! LOL
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Post by Jugglerguy on Sept 6, 2016 17:12:15 GMT -5
Welcome to the family. You're going to love your Lot-O.
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ubermenehune
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2016
Posts: 293
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Post by ubermenehune on Sept 6, 2016 17:49:05 GMT -5
Congratulations! You'll have to share pics of your first batch, and let me know how the experience goes. I'm still insisting that I learn to do things the hard way. =) Come on man. Everyone's doing it. Don't you want to be one of the cool kids?
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dottyt
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2016
Posts: 305
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Post by dottyt on Sept 6, 2016 21:29:00 GMT -5
Congrats on the Lot-O! Are you doing the epoxy? If so which are you using? Also what are those nice blue stones? Sorry for all the questions. I'm looking forward to how your batch turns out. Good luck with it!
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Post by captbob on Sept 6, 2016 21:49:56 GMT -5
Congratulations! You'll have to share pics of your first batch, and let me know how the experience goes. I'm still insisting that I learn to do things the hard way. =) Come on man. Everyone's doing it. Don't you want to be one of the cool kids? Don't be pulled to the Dark Side! Learn and excel at rotary tumbling before you get a rock tumbling microwave.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2016 22:51:58 GMT -5
Lol microwave for a tumbler... Haha!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 7, 2016 7:15:37 GMT -5
dottyt, I'm not sure if I'm using the epoxy. I've read a mixture of threads where some use it and some don't. I guess I'll see how hard the barrel is to clean out after each change. I believe those blue stones are Blue Quartz. captbob, I would like to say that I have excelled at using a rotary tumbler for what it's best at - rough grind. I have shown the patience to wait until a rock is ready to be pulled. I'm guessing you mastered the fine art of hand slabbing rocks before buying your 24" saw? It's the main reason I get up and go to work each day - having the ability to waste money on useless tools. Someone's gotta keep the Rock Shed in business!
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Post by Garage Rocker on Sept 7, 2016 7:45:16 GMT -5
dottyt , I'm not sure if I'm using the epoxy. I've read a mixture of threads where some use it and some don't. I guess I'll see how hard the barrel is to clean out after each change. All kinds of crap gets stuck down there, you'll want to fill it. Saves time and aggravation and no down side that I'm aware of.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 16, 2016 21:48:44 GMT -5
Just a quick question. If I have tumbled everything in my rotary for the rough stage, do I begin at 500 in the Lot-O or would I run a 24 hour cycle with some 120/220? Thanks!
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Post by Garage Rocker on Sept 16, 2016 22:04:19 GMT -5
Just a quick question. If I have tumbled everything in my rotary for the rough stage, do I begin at 500 in the Lot-O or would I run a 24 hour cycle with some 120/220? Thanks! Run the 120/220 stage next, then move on to 500. 24-36 hours.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 16, 2016 22:12:42 GMT -5
Thank you for the quick reply (and all of your useful information)! I just added 1 tablespoon of the 120/220 and fired it up. Very excited.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Sept 16, 2016 22:18:12 GMT -5
Thank you for the quick reply (and all of your useful information)! I just added 1 tablespoon of the 120/220 and fired it up. Very excited. That will probably be fine. I've been using 2 tablespoons in that stage and then 1/2 teaspoon of the other grit stages in the Lot O. I put borax in the 500-polish stages, but not in 120/220. It dries out quickly with that grit.
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Post by orrum on Sept 17, 2016 3:29:41 GMT -5
Fast adbice, put E6000 in the hole, just squirter it out and drizzle, it self levels. Stop just b4 filling to still leave a dimple. Two tablespoons 220 for 2 days (I use a tablespoon of Borax too,some dont). A half a teaspoon of 500 plus borax (everybody uses it here onward) for 2 days. One half teaspoon 1000 plus borax for 2 days. Final polish plus borax for two days. After rinsing fill barrel with wster and pour out then add grit. Put borax in first cause it quietens the chatter fast. Use a sprayer to mist it to where it's moist enough to see a tiny bubble or liquid form between rocks. Too much liquid snd it slows tumbling. Put something on the cap to hold it on, it will come off. I use painters blue tape. Use at least one third cersmics, mixed size is best. Find Chucks/Drummondislandrocks thread on Loto, he is one of the masters here, I use his methods. Oh yes two many smalls as in real small forms a mass of stuff at the bottom and doesn't move. Others don't have this problem. 220 stage can get too thick b4 two days is up so watch it close. After stages not so bad. Good tumbling!!!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 17, 2016 7:34:05 GMT -5
Thanks orrum and Garage Rocker. I did fill the bottom hole with some epoxy. And thank you for the recipe all in one "post". I've found most of this info in bits and pieces and decided it would be what I follow for my first batch. I can mess with things on batch #2 if necessary. And, BTW, I love this Lot-O. Very fun watching the rocks slowly move around the barrel. I bought 3 cinder blocks and 1 cap piece. Used some landscape adhesive to stick them all together as a base for the Lot-O. Found it made quite a hum upstairs when sitting directly on the concrete floor, so I placed a rubber mat underneath everything and that quieted it down to a distant hum.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Sept 17, 2016 8:57:11 GMT -5
You just changed the game, my friend. Look forward to seeing your work.
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