tomcloss
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 158
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Post by tomcloss on Oct 26, 2008 19:18:59 GMT -5
Well I'd tumbled rocks for years before my daughter was born. Now that she is 6 she has shown a lot of interest, I've started tumbling again. I recently bought a Lot-O-Tumbler vibrating tumbler. This is my first vibrating tumbler and I have a few questions from some of you who may have used this machine before. Any help will be appreciated.
1. In the first stage to you add additional grit every 24 hours?
2. Currently based on the instructions I just wet the stones and rinse every 12 hours any other suggestions
3. Finally any helpful tips would be appreciated.
I am glad I found this forum and I hope to share information with everyone. This seems to be a great community. Living in the lower peninsula of Michigan it seems hard to found fellow rock hounds. (Maybe I've been looking in the wrong places.)
Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
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randy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 117
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Post by randy on Oct 26, 2008 19:42:53 GMT -5
I don't have a vibe, but you are right, the best information can be found right here. Good luck. I hope your daughter enjoys the pretty rocks.  Welcome to the board, Randy |
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Oct 27, 2008 4:04:41 GMT -5
Hi Tomcloss,
I got a Lot "O" 3 1/2 lb 2 years ago its a fantastic machine from stage 2.
I and most others use a rotary to tumble the first stage ( 80 Grit )
If you do use a loto for stage 1 Be very carefull check every hour and add water to keep rocks mobile
I and others find that vibes dont shape as good as Rotary tumblers
My advice DONT start at stage 1 start at stage 2 220 Grit
These Machines are VERY agressive and even at stg 2 you have to check regular and add a few drops of water to keep the rocks mobile
I Send out " Connrocks Gloss Polishing Guide" if you want a copy just contact me john@matco.me.uk and I will send you it.
Jack
Yorkshire UK
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tomcloss
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 158
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Post by tomcloss on Oct 27, 2008 7:24:10 GMT -5
Thanks for the input Jack. I ran my first batch through the first stage on the Lot-O-Tumbler with the recommended 220 grit and your right after 2 times through I wasn't happy with the results. I'll try running some of my stage 2 through 5 tumbles through it after I rough grind them in the rotary tumblers.
Also I'm always interested in learning more I'll shoot you an email.
Thanks again.
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thomtap
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 237
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Post by thomtap on Oct 27, 2008 10:10:09 GMT -5
About that guide to gloss polishing... do you have it on pdf? Can it be sent via e-mail?
Thom
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1Mark
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2004
Posts: 91
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Post by 1Mark on Oct 27, 2008 11:25:19 GMT -5
Hi Tomcloss, ...My advice DONT start at stage 1 start at stage 2 220 Grit These Machines are VERY agressive and even at stg 2 you have to check regular and add a few drops of water to keep the rocks mobile... Jack Yorkshire UK Hi Jack, I just bought a new Lot-O. Isn't stage 2 500 grit? (at least according to their instructions) Are you suggesting roughing at 80 in the rotary, then proceeding to 220 (stage 1 for a vibe) in the Lot-O? That said, I just finished my first batch of mixed quartz and blue lace agate and I agree that roughing in the vibe leaves much to be desired. I've got 3 pound and 15 pound rotaries currently running the rough stage for my next batch. Thanks, Mark |
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Post by connrock on Oct 27, 2008 12:57:56 GMT -5
Mark 1,
Sorry for the late reply but I've been away for a few days and this board moves like lightning!
Jack was referring to the 2nd step as being the step after roughing.
As he said,we rough in the rotary which we call the 1 st step and then do the rest in the Lot-O.
If you can have Jack email you the instructions,,,,,,,better make that rough instructions it will help you a LOT.The instructions are in a series of email that Jack and I had a while back so you may have to "read between the lines" a bit but I am SURE they will help.
connrock
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Oct 28, 2008 3:24:31 GMT -5
Hi Mark, Stage 1 (80 Grit) in the rotary for a few weeks  Then to the vibe for stage 2 which is 220 grit as Tom has said above, 500G seems to be to big a step (there would be some scratches still on the rocks that 500 G couldnt get out) Email me and I will send you" Conrocks Gloss Guide " Im sure it will help as Tom put Many years Experimenting to produce this helpfull guide. Jack Yorkshire UK |
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1Mark
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2004
Posts: 91
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Post by 1Mark on Oct 29, 2008 13:37:50 GMT -5
Thanks for the polishing guide Jack.
Another question on the Lot-O: Calway merely says to press the bowl "firmly" into the frame. I've noticed that the action is different when I press it down far enough so that the little rubber nub on the bottom of the bowl touches the bottom plate on the frame, as opposed to leaving a small gap. Also, if I press it down hard enough to jamb the nub hard against the frame the action seems to be a bit less aggressive. Has anyone else noticed this? Is there a "preferred" position?
Thanks,
Mark
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Oct 30, 2008 3:28:12 GMT -5
Hi Mark
I would think you are pressing it down too far and the Nub is acting as a "shock absorber " which is what you DONT want
I never push it that far down , firmly held is all that is needed
Jack
Yorkshire UK
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1Mark
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2004
Posts: 91
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Post by 1Mark on Oct 31, 2008 10:22:06 GMT -5
Thanks for the input Jack.
I took a load out of the rotaries 2 days ago and put it in the vibe for a go at using your instructions. All went well until I checked the load this morning to find that the lid had popped off during the night. Of course the load had dried out and several of the stones had some serious spalling. Too bad -- they were starting to look pretty good last night. I put most of the load back in the 3 lb. rotary with a 3/4 charge of 60/90 grit. The few that didn't spall or chip went back in the vibe with a bunch of marbles and some 500 grit. If they don't turn out well I can always go back to 200 grit.
I noticed that Tom wrote of devising a widget to secure the lid, but I blew it off since I'd not had one pop off in a week or so of constant running. I'll start experimenting with methods to secure the lid today.
Mark
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Post by connrock on Nov 1, 2008 18:05:03 GMT -5
Mark, I have several barrels and it seems some have different size openings.On some barrels the caps are snug but on others they are a tad loose. There's nothing worse then letting a load dry out as the grit/slurry gets embedded into EVERY little imperfection and the only way to get it out is to keep roughing until is gone. After 2 loads drying out from the caps coming off I decided to use my "hold-downs" all the time. Here is a VERY rough drawing of what I use.  connrock |
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1Mark
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2004
Posts: 91
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Post by 1Mark on Nov 1, 2008 19:21:57 GMT -5
I used servo tape to secure a 1/4" thick and roughly 1" square piece of duralon (a nylon based thermoplastic) to the lid. I ground a groove in the duralon so I can loop a short bungee cord across it without it slipping off, and I hook the ends of the cord to the lower edge of the frame. So far so good. I was going to take a photo of it but it seems my camera is on the fritz.
Mark
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jean
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 127
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Post by jean on Nov 1, 2008 19:51:07 GMT -5
I have been tumbling rocks for a few years and still feel like a novice. I have just had my second Raytech TV5 die and am considering the Lot-O. I really don't want to also invest in a rotary for the rough grind. I am not particular that all stones become spheres. Is itreasonable to use the Lot-O for even the rough stage? I am retired and can afford to time to pay special attention to the tumbler. Thanks for any input. Jean
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textiger
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 946
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Post by textiger on Nov 1, 2008 23:27:01 GMT -5
Jean, the problem with using the Lot-O or any other vibe tumbler is that it takes off so little amount of material that it ends up shining whatever shape a rock is in. You could end up with shiny matrix or jagged edges that gleam. Some folks have remarked that they enjoy that natural look (could be cool with pet wood, for instance), but, generally, you want to have the rock shaped before it goes into the vibe.
Hope this helps.
matt
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Post by connrock on Nov 2, 2008 9:30:33 GMT -5
mark1' be careful what you attach the bungee chords to. It sounds like you're OK with what you're doing but take a look at the following diagram which shows how to "fool" the unit when you want to do a light load.  The bungee chords are pulling down on the frame to add "weight" to te load. Don't do this to hold the cap on. connrock |
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Post by connrock on Nov 2, 2008 9:35:45 GMT -5
jean,
As Matt said,it takes a while to round off the edges in any vibe but if you have the time it will grind them down some what.
The thing is to "prep" your rough as much as possible.Meaning to chip off the sharp edges and try to eliminate as many concave areas as possible.
For the heck of it I'll try a load from start to finish in my Lot-O and see how it goes.
I will "try" to take daily photo's of the progress.
connrock
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jean
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 127
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Post by jean on Nov 2, 2008 14:21:56 GMT -5
Conrock, thanks so much. Jean
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Post by connrock on Nov 2, 2008 15:12:48 GMT -5
Jean,
I broke up about 4 lbs of misc rough and will start it tomorrow.
I took photos of the rough and will try to take daily photos of the progress.
connrock
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1Mark
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2004
Posts: 91
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Post by 1Mark on Nov 2, 2008 15:45:45 GMT -5
Here's the lid hold-down.  |
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