choochoorocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rock hounding
Member since April 2020
Posts: 180
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Post by choochoorocks on Mar 11, 2024 16:38:59 GMT -5
Hi, With my Lot-O, I often see rocks appear and circulate out of view within maybe about 2 or 3 seconds for earlier stages. Then, for the exact same rocks, during the polish stage, they slow down substantially, taking tens of seconds to do the same. They often pause and seem to vibrate in place. I suppose that's because the rock surfaces are really smooth and slippery at that stage, leading to low traction. How can I fix this problem? Thanks in advance! I'll add that I use this tumbling recipe, so that's half a teaspoon of AO polish and one tbsp of borax at the polishing stage. |
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Post by chris1956 on Mar 11, 2024 18:57:03 GMT -5
The Lot-O seems to be very sensitive to the amount of water. Make sure you aren't too wet to start with. After you start, it doesn't take much more water to go from spinning to stopped as you described. Spray a little and wait a few minutes before spraying any more. My best guess.
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,158
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Post by dshanpnw on Mar 11, 2024 19:29:37 GMT -5
I second chris1956 that it could be too much water. You're following a great recipe.
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choochoorocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rock hounding
Member since April 2020
Posts: 180
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Post by choochoorocks on Mar 12, 2024 9:57:42 GMT -5
Thanks both that might be it. I'll try it next time.
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Post by chris1956 on Mar 12, 2024 13:55:28 GMT -5
So, I think I just cursed myself. Woke up this morning and the Christmas ornaments in my Lot-O (that looked a little overly wet last night), were dried out and cemented together. They were ready for a look anyway, so I added soap and water and will clean out this afternoon.
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choochoorocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rock hounding
Member since April 2020
Posts: 180
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Post by choochoorocks on Mar 12, 2024 17:43:39 GMT -5
Oh no that reminds me, I forgot to check my barrel this morning before heading to work...
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,622
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Post by dillonf on Mar 12, 2024 22:33:00 GMT -5
You can also try raising the barrel up in the frame - if you haven't tried that already.
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choochoorocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rock hounding
Member since April 2020
Posts: 180
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Post by choochoorocks on Mar 14, 2024 9:47:47 GMT -5
You can also try raising the barrel up in the frame - if you haven't tried that already. No I haven't. How would you keep it in place? |
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mgroothuis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2022
Posts: 167 
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Post by mgroothuis on Mar 14, 2024 14:21:57 GMT -5
Try reducing the Borax. I had the same problem. I went to a 1/2 tbsp and the problem went away. Same for the 500AO stage. It didn't seem to affect the polish.
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Post by chris1956 on Mar 14, 2024 15:40:44 GMT -5
You can also try raising the barrel up in the frame - if you haven't tried that already. No I haven't. How would you keep it in place? If your barrel has worn and is slipping down in the frame, one thing you can do as a kind of temporary fix is to get some wider electrical tape and wrap it around the bowl a few times. This will have the affect of making the barrel diameter larger and keeping it up in the frame where it should be. Dang electrical tape is expensive, but not as expensive as a new barrel. Not a perfect solution and can get all scrunched up sometimes but works. I have tried other things such as duct tape (too sticky). Also tried the Flex Seal Tape. Don't do that. The adheasive is gel like and looked like it melted on mine making a mess. On the plus side, the electrical tape stuck really good after that. One of these days, I am going to try the Flex Seal Spray. But will experiment with that on something besides my bowl first. I have also taken duct tape and electrical tape and wrapped that around the frame to make the opening smaller and keep the barrel up. Also seemed to work. If you have to, you can take thin cardboard and tape (wrap the cardboard with the tape) that to the frame to make the opening smaller. You might try this before you try the tape on the bowl as I think it would be easier to remove if it doesn't work. You will probably have to experiement some to get the bowl in the right position. |
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,622
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Post by dillonf on Mar 14, 2024 19:59:42 GMT -5
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Post by chris1956 on Mar 14, 2024 20:02:11 GMT -5
Thanks. I forgot about trying that. |
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zebra61
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2024
Posts: 161
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Post by zebra61 on Mar 15, 2024 11:13:51 GMT -5
Try reducing the Borax. I had the same problem. I went to a 1/2 tbsp and the problem went away. Same for the 500AO stage. It didn't seem to affect the polish. I've been using my Lot-O for my 500sc, 1200 then down through TXP lately and I've noticed a similar issue if I don't let the load drain well before throwing it on to vibrate. I've even considered putting the wet load on the machine for 15 seconds and re-drain it just to shake out a little extra moisture. (I haven't tried it yet as I don't like clattering rocks when I'm trying to polish them) As to using Borax it's a 1/2 Tsp at most or the load gets too congealed IMO. As it rotates my larger or heavier rocks seem to be on their own while the ceramics look like a wad of gum rotating in the center of the load. Cutting back on the Borax seems to help that issue and allow a better distribution of sizes. Less is more and it still produces a slight slurry. That's just my weird assessment, mileages may vary. Mark |
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