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Post by orrum on Sept 21, 2016 12:12:29 GMT -5
Sean at The Rock Shed is a great guy! Pick up the phone and give him a shout, he will take care of it right away.
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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 26, 2016 13:34:02 GMT -5
Shawn got back to me right away, but unfortunately I need to deal with the manufacturer directly. It took a few days of calling and emailing, but I was finally able to talk to someone who just said to mail the motor back to them and they'll get a new one shipped out. Hope to be up and running sometime next week!
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Post by Garage Rocker on Sept 26, 2016 13:47:08 GMT -5
Looks like you'll have some cool rocks ready to go in there when you get it going. I see a nice shiny batch in your near future.
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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 26, 2016 14:05:27 GMT -5
Sean got back to me right away, but unfortunately I need to deal with the manufacturer directly. It took a few days of calling and emailing, but I was finally able to talk to someone who just said to mail the motor back to them and they'll get a new one shipped out. Hope to be up and running sometime next week! Did you get any idea of how often the Lot-Os go out either under manufacturer's warranty or when out of it? Do you know if epoxying the dimple would void the warranty? I understand that you are just getting a new motor which is great (epoxy doesn't matter and shipping would be less), but I am afraid I wouldn't be able to change out a motor. Most likely I wouldn't even be able to figure out it was a motor issue. I am also wondering if there is some way to unattach the machine from the anchoring cement base -- and then to remount it. Less handy future Lot-O owners want to know! Thanks!
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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 26, 2016 14:13:03 GMT -5
While talking to Shawn he said this is the first time in quite a while he's heard of a motor issue. The change out is very easy and I'm sure you would be able to do it, but let's just assume this is a fluke and your machine will be just fine. It's just a couple of screws and you're done.
If I had to remove the whole thing I would just get some metal wire and pull it under the base. It would cut the double sided tape.
Once again, let's call this a fluke based on how many people are using these machines with no issues!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Oct 1, 2016 17:04:25 GMT -5
I guess I'm used to almost instant feedback on any interactions with a company. I have to say, this whole thing has been a little frustrating. My motor was delivered to Lot-O on Thursday. I tried calling to see that someone actually got it and ask if they had any questions. Had to leave a voicemail. I sent an email asking for an update, but have yet to hear anything back. So I hope my motor got to the correct person and the new one is currently on its way back to me. I included my email and phone number in my note to them. I was just about to run my first batch thru final polish. Just venting a little!
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dottyt
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2016
Posts: 305
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Post by dottyt on Oct 1, 2016 17:35:40 GMT -5
The whole thing does sound very frustrating. If they are a reputable company (and I am assuming they are) I think you will get a motor back, but I am very curious as to what the time-frame will be. If they are mostly a manufacturing company that sells to retail shops, customer service may not be their thing. They may not even have someone who is assigned to answer questions from the general public. I am guessing a pre-Amazon speed, that is to say an okay speed, but not exactly rapid. But of course this is just a guess. I am sorry that you are going through this, but your updates shine light on a thankfully rare, but important topic.
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1nickthegreek
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 382
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Post by 1nickthegreek on Oct 1, 2016 19:09:06 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! I highly recommend that you use epoxy in your polish barrel, otherwise you will be cleaning grit out of the nipple all the time. I just use harbor freight cheap 5 minute epoxy which is like $1.99 or $2.99 for the little tubes up by the register, and it has worked so much better than the epoxy putty stuff which I have used in the coarse barrel several times LOL
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1nickthegreek
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 382
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Post by 1nickthegreek on Oct 1, 2016 19:20:46 GMT -5
I guess I'm used to almost instant feedback on any interactions with a company. I have to say, this whole thing has been a little frustrating. My motor was delivered to Lot-O on Thursday. I tried calling to see that someone actually got it and ask if they had any questions. Had to leave a voicemail. I sent an email asking for an update, but have yet to hear anything back. So I hope my motor got to the correct person and the new one is currently on its way back to me. I included my email and phone number in my note to them. I was just about to run my first batch thru final polish. Just venting a little! This is a one man operation, and he isn't the youngest, so give him the benefit of the doubt here. Tom is one of the nicest fellows I have had the pleasure of working with in a long time!!!
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dottyt
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2016
Posts: 305
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Post by dottyt on Oct 1, 2016 20:30:53 GMT -5
Oct 1, 2016 12:20:46 GMT -7 1nickthegreek said: "This is a one man operation, and he isn't the youngest, so give him the benefit of the doubt here. Tom is one of the nicest fellows I have had the pleasure of working with in a long time!!!"
I think Chicago Dave said he had to return the motor to the manufacturer. Are you saying Lot-Os are manufactured by one guy? It seems like it would take a factory with various people working there. Or maybe they are made overseas and there is one guy handling the U.S. side of things? I thought they were made in the U.S. though? Maybe the parts are made overseas and one guy in the U.S. assembles them? I am not arguing with you, I am just curious about this now + being curious about the repair process. Thanks!
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1nickthegreek
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 382
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Post by 1nickthegreek on Oct 1, 2016 22:35:57 GMT -5
Oct 1, 2016 12:20:46 GMT -7 1nickthegreek said: "This is a one man operation, and he isn't the youngest, so give him the benefit of the doubt here. Tom is one of the nicest fellows I have had the pleasure of working with in a long time!!!"
I think Chicago Dave said he had to return the motor to the manufacturer. Are you saying Lot-Os are manufactured by one guy? It seems like it would take a factory with various people working there. Or maybe they are made overseas and there is one guy handling the U.S. side of things? I thought they were made in the U.S. though? Maybe the parts are made overseas and one guy in the U.S. assembles them? I am not arguing with you, I am just curious about this now + being curious about the repair process. Thanks! Tom and his wife and possibly an employee or two build them all, I have no clue where the barrels are made, but I think they are all injection molded here in the states. I am about positive that it is just a super small operation after talking with him several times ordering Lot-O's for customers who support smaller than Rock Shed sized suppliers LOL
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Oct 7, 2016 18:37:52 GMT -5
OK, so the replacement motor made it back to me. They received the package on Monday and it was delivered back to me on Wednesday. Fast turnaround, but zero communication. So, just know that the replacement motor will be sent quickly, but you'll get no kind of updates that they got your package or any info that the replacement was shipped. Just an FYI. Still, super fast.
Now that the new motor is running, it is very obvious there was something wrong with the previous one. I thought the whole things was very loud. Now it's whisper quiet. I can still hear a distinct low frequency hum, but the Lot-O is directly below the living room. The rubber mat is making a huge difference and I will play around with other locations in the basement. But before I could hear the motor running. Now I can't.
First batch running thru final polish right now. Maybe pictures on Sunday!!??
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richardh
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 391
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Post by richardh on Oct 7, 2016 19:36:36 GMT -5
Glad to hear things worked out well and looking forward to seeing those finished stones!
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Post by orrum on Oct 7, 2016 20:32:44 GMT -5
It's a family back yard operation. I am home 5 months or so a year. I have 3 single Lotos. Two have motors out right now. One with a bad bearing, one with a no start motor. Break springs all the time too. Chuck and Rob run theirs all the time year round snd don't have the trouble I have. In two years I have gone thru 3 motors, untold springs and had one frame to shatter, yes I said shatter. I don't like the situation but here is the deal, let's talk chocolate... My opinion the only vibe that does the job right for me for tumble cabs, buff top cabs and final polish on regular cabs is the Loto! So if you want the bestest finest chocolate in town get ur billfold out and pay up in parts!!! Sean made one motor good because the motor bolts came loose after a month on a brand new Loto. Tom sent me s new frame but remember I paid freight both ways for the messed up frame and the new one. Also THE Springs AND Load Of Cabs THAT Got Thrown All Over Plus A Motor THAT Shook To Death was not covered.
Hers the deal...the Loto is home engineered with no stress fatigue testing on the grade of metal for the frame or springs. Plus the motor is not speed out to use two out of balance flywheels to create vibtation. It's a huge shake everything to ultimate destruction device. If there was any true design to it right off the bat this hole in the bottom of the barrel and the cap popping off thing would have been corrected long ago. I am not sure Tom is still the owner either.
To end my rant I love my Lotos results!!! LOL. Rock lapidary folks are crazy!!!
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