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I have been using my Lot-O for 7 months. It works fine, but I have never been able to get the super fast motion, no matter the adjustments. I have constantly had globs of slurry form in the bottom of the barrel after a couple days, halting the rock action.
I learned last night, it was the folded mat (for sound deadening) I had under the concrete block causing the problem. I removed it, and the Lot-O sprung to life.
However... it finished off the motor that started to fail a few days ago. It sounded like a table saw after only a few minutes.
Post by mgroothuis on May 19, 2023 12:38:38 GMT -5
You know, I thought I did fix it, but it seems to return to slow after a while. I can't figure it out. The new concrete motor is mounted and the action is very close, if not slightly faster than the old Fasco motor.
I adjusted the dowel while the unit was running so I could see exactly the optimum placement before glueing it down. Even a tiny fraction of an inch is dramatic in the vibration adjustment.
I've noticed that the floor is not 100% level and that also affects the action if the block is not seated, so I've added very dense 1" strips of foam rubber (old workout mat) to the front and back of the block. The action is nice and fast, but after a while it slows yet again. So, I tried just the block directly on the floor, but in a more level spot...the action slows again. Today, the polish was at a standstill this morning after 36 hours of running with the usual glob of slurry bound up in the bottom.
Obviously, I'm spritzing the water as necessary during the process.
What gives? Mount it higher on multiple blocks for an even heavier base?
Post by rocknewb101 on May 19, 2023 14:01:14 GMT -5
I tend to have somewhat the same issue - but for me I start out with good rolling motion through stages 2 and 3, but polish seems to really slow down for me - it'll start good, but then I find the rocks are more jittery than rolling. Slurry is not too thick and rocks aren't too wet. I think this is how I get some of my chips, etc...
I tend to have somewhat the same issue - but for me I start out with good rolling motion through stages 2 and 3, but polish seems to really slow down for me - it'll start good, but then I find the rocks are more jittery than rolling. Slurry is not too thick and rocks aren't too wet. I think this is how I get some of my chips, etc...
After I saw the fast motion when removing the rug/mat under the block, I had renewed hope. I guess not quite yet.
I used to have problems in 120/220 but I reduced my grit to 1/2 tbsp rather than 2 tbsp. I have good motion thru that stage and 500AO. Polish ALWAYS binds up for me. I usually have to dump/rinse/refresh the AO Polish grit after 24 hours.
I have been running the concrete motor and also notice that the action slows down in the polishing stage but it was similar to when I had the original motor. One thing I have noticed is that I have to be very careful about adding too much water but this was also true with the original motor. Just a little too much water stops everything.
I tend to have somewhat the same issue - but for me I start out with good rolling motion through stages 2 and 3, but polish seems to really slow down for me - it'll start good, but then I find the rocks are more jittery than rolling. Slurry is not too thick and rocks aren't too wet. I think this is how I get some of my chips, etc...
After I saw the fast motion when removing the rug/mat under the block, I had renewed hope. I guess not quite yet.
I used to have problems in 120/220 but I reduced my grit to 1/2 tbsp rather than 2 tbsp. I have good motion thru that stage and 500AO. Polish ALWAYS binds up for me. I usually have to dump/rinse/refresh the AO Polish grit after 24 hours.
Do you use Borax with the polish? I have always followed Rob's (Michigan Rocks) video where he uses 1/2 teaspoon of 500 or polish and a tablespoon of Borax. If I remember the video correctly he said that the Borax helps to form a slurry for the polish. Might try that and see if it helps.
Do you use Borax with the polish? I have always followed Rob's (Michigan Rocks) video where he uses 1/2 teaspoon of 500 or polish and a tablespoon of Borax. If I remember the video correctly he said that the Borax helps to form a slurry for the polish. Might try that and see if it helps.
I have similar situation My block is on a 2 inch piece of styrofoam for noise abatement now but it performed the same way when the block was directly on the concrete basement floor. All stages seem to slow at about the 24 hour mark. For the 1st stage, 120/220,The machine instructions recommend clean out and restart at the 12hr mark to prevent that ball of mud that can form. I've had that but not with every batch.
After I saw the fast motion when removing the rug/mat under the block, I had renewed hope. I guess not quite yet.
I used to have problems in 120/220 but I reduced my grit to 1/2 tbsp rather than 2 tbsp. I have good motion thru that stage and 500AO. Polish ALWAYS binds up for me. I usually have to dump/rinse/refresh the AO Polish grit after 24 hours.
Do you use Borax with the polish? I have always followed Rob's (Michigan Rocks) video where he uses 1/2 teaspoon of 500 or polish and a tablespoon of Borax. If I remember the video correctly he said that the Borax helps to form a slurry for the polish. Might try that and see if it helps.
I do sometimes, but not consistently. I've honestly never noticed a big difference either way - I'll try it next time though and really pay attention to see if it helps things move along. Thanks!!
Post by mgroothuis on May 22, 2023 15:12:00 GMT -5
I changed the sounded-deadening pad under the concrete base to essentially 4 layers of denim, rather than the previous dense foam I was using. I also tried adjusting the dowel one last time to make sure the old setting wasn't dependent on the previous dense-foam pad. Stage 1 is moving nicely so far after 24 hours. Better than in the past. We'll see how it goes (again).
I changed the sounded-deadening pad under the concrete base to essentially 4 layers of denim, rather than the previous dense foam I was using. I also tried adjusting the dowel one last time to make sure the old setting wasn't dependent on the previous dense-foam pad. Stage 1 is moving nicely so far after 24 hours. Better than in the past. We'll see how it goes (again).
I've considered redoing the dowel move too - I'll try to remember to check in here in a day or so and see if you continue to notice good movement.
I changed the sounded-deadening pad under the concrete base to essentially 4 layers of denim, rather than the previous dense foam I was using. I also tried adjusting the dowel one last time to make sure the old setting wasn't dependent on the previous dense-foam pad. Stage 1 is moving nicely so far after 24 hours. Better than in the past. We'll see how it goes (again).
Hmm. For what it is worth, I use one of those micro fiber clothes from Sam's Club (folded once) under mine.
I've considered redoing the dowel move too - I'll try to remember to check in here in a day or so and see if you continue to notice good movement.
Just a quick update. I started the polish stage tonight. First and second stages have been perfect the last 5 days. Good action, no globs of slurry so far. The polish stage will be the ultimate test for me.
Post by mgroothuis on May 27, 2023 21:18:05 GMT -5
Nope. Once again, even with the fast motion of the previous stages, my polish globs up to a blob in the bottom after 24 hours. I had to dump, rinse, and restart. I just don't understand.
(If the video loads) This is the action after I rinsed. I'm going to run the last 24 hours without Borax.
Nope. Once again, even with the fast motion of the previous stages, my polish globs up to a blob in the bottom after 24 hours. I had to dump, rinse, and restart. I just don't understand.
(If the video loads) This is the action after I rinsed. I'm going to run the last 24 hours without Borax.
That is very strange, looks like a repetitive motion glob of sorts. Have you tried rotating the bowl during tumbling? Perhaps every few hours. I know you’re removing the borax part… maybe mixing things up a bit every so often will help prevent the glob from forming.
Post by hoolligan1938 on May 28, 2023 17:23:49 GMT -5
I believe the instructions say to mount the unit that's on the board directly to the hard surface. For what it's worth, I stacked three concrete blocks. glued together with construction adhesive, and then painted all of the stack with white outdoor spray paint (rattle can). There is no movement of the stack or the vibe. It vibes the rocks beautifully with the dowel very close to where it was when I got the unit. Maybe the padding or sound deadener is impairing the action of the vibe. You might want to check and be sure the fans are in alignment with each other, and that all the screws that hold the unit and the springs together are good and tight. Hope this helps you.
That is very strange, looks like a repetitive motion glob of sorts. Have you tried rotating the bowl during tumbling? Perhaps every few hours. I know you’re removing the borax part… maybe mixing things up a bit every so often will help prevent the glob from forming.
I have not tried rotating the barrel. That's not a bad idea, just to make the action more random after a few hours.
I believe the instructions say to mount the unit that's on the board directly to the hard surface. For what it's worth, I stacked three concrete blocks. glued together with construction adhesive, and then painted all of the stack with white outdoor spray paint (rattle can). There is no movement of the stack or the vibe. It vibes the rocks beautifully with the dowel very close to where it was when I got the unit. Maybe the padding or sound deadener is impairing the action of the vibe. You might want to check and be sure the fans are in alignment with each other, and that all the screws that hold the unit and the springs together are good and tight. Hope this helps you.
Jim
It's mounted directly to a solid concrete block, easily 40+ lbs. I planned on trying to get it up off the floor with multiple blocks, so that's the next step. I originally had a folded pad under the unit that DID impair the motion. Since removing it, the rocks are much faster, but I still get problems in the polish stage.
Regarding the fans, my original motor failed after 7 months. I have retrofitted the concrete motor like others have done too. The action with this motor is better that the original Fasco motor.
Nope. Once again, even with the fast motion of the previous stages, my polish globs up to a blob in the bottom after 24 hours. I had to dump, rinse, and restart. I just don't understand.
(If the video loads) This is the action after I rinsed. I'm going to run the last 24 hours without Borax.
Hi mgroothuis! It looks like you have already received some good advice, but I thought I would toss in some other ideas.
Have you tried running the stones you are trying to polish without any polish or other additives? In other words, just run some damp rocks. The reason I ask is that it seems very odd to me that you would be getting enough stuff in the polish stage to actually clump together. That suggests to me that you are either getting too much polish clumping, something you are adding is grabbing onto whatever small particles are present and sticking together, or you still have some rock dust that is forming big blobs with the polish/soap/borax/etc.
Based on what I have read, I would trust the cement mixer motor more than the current Fasco motors they are using for the machines, so using damp rocks as a baseline, slowly add back ingredients with polish being the first thing you add. Start with smaller amounts and let it run to see if you have the same clumping. Tossing everything into the pot makes it difficult to figure out what may be the culprit. It could even be some combination of things like hard water mixing with the minerals in the rocks you are polishing with just enough borax to cement it all together. Who knows?
I ran into similar problems with my lot-o. I followed all of the common recipes, but after 24 hours the action would come to a complete stop. I cut back on everything I was adding and it just started working better.
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jone: It’s still 4/20 on this side of the line…
Apr 20, 2024 20:46:29 GMT -5
Welcome to the Rock Tumbling Hobby Forum where we share a love of rocks and a sense of community as enduring as the stones we polish.
The RTH Forum of www.RockTumbling.com is an Amazon Associate site and we earn money from
qualifying purchases you make after clicking on our links such as this
Rock Tumbling Supplies on Amazon
link for instance, or any of our various product ads and banners. By clicking our links every time you begin your Amazon shopping
experience, you are generating a bit of revenue for the forum which helps us cover our expenses. Thank you for your support!