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Post by Bejewelme on Jun 26, 2009 10:13:45 GMT -5
And I gotta say I am a lotto scared!!!! Thank goodness I am leaving for vacation, I got the lotto, thinking me of little patience will be loving the fact that I can tumble stones and cabs in a few short days! Well let me tell you, you tumblers are speaking a foreign language! I have been emailing Connrock, and reading all these instructions, I am utterly confused!!! So when I return, I will toss in some small agates I got in a box from Rock Hobbit and see what happens!!! It is a cute little thing, and isn't too loud! What is burnishing? Is that the borax wash? I got 2 bowls, when do I use the second bowl? I heard something about cross contamination so was just wondering. Do you rinse the rocks and then add the borax? Do you do that after each step? Those are some questions off the top, I am sure I will have many more! Amber  |
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jun 26, 2009 10:44:53 GMT -5
You don't have to rinse and burnish between the first and second stages, but it is recommended between the second stage and polish stage. Also, one of those bowls you'll want to label "polish only". This will be your polish bowl since grit will eventually become embedded in the grit bowl. You definitely don't want to polish rocks in that one.
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Mudshark
fully equipped rock polisher
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,083
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Post by Mudshark on Jun 26, 2009 10:56:12 GMT -5
Amber,thats a great little tumbler you got.I use a little bit of Borax in the last few hours of every stage,it helps a lot when you rinse the grit off for the next stage.After the polish stage I rinse the rocks and then run them a few hours with just the Borax and a little bit of water.Liquid dish soap works good too,you need just a few drops.The second bowl should be used just for polish.Like any vibe your better off using stones that are already smooth,most of us use a rotary tumbler for this part and then the vibe for the rest of the stages.The usual procedure is to fill the bowl with rocks and water,then drain the water out and add half a capfull of water and then add the grit and turn it on.Follow Connrocks instructions for grit amounts and tumbling times and you should get a good batch every time.One thing that is important is the Loto needs to be mounted securely to a solid surface to get the best tumbling action.I put mine right on the concrete floor in my shop and used anchor bolts drilled into the floor.A nice solid workbench would be good.
I cut about a hundred or so preforms on the tile saw last weekend and I plan on grinding them on my new cabbing machine and then putting some into the Loto to finish them.I only have three wheels so far with the highest mesh being six hundred.
If I think of anything else I'll let you know but it really is a simple machine to use.I cant wait to see pics of your first batch.And I hope you have a fun vacation!
Mike
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Post by Bejewelme on Jun 26, 2009 13:22:27 GMT -5
Thanks guys!! I know I will have so many more questions, but I think just doing it will help! I was going to mount it to the concrete floor, Connrock sent plans for building a concrete block tower, we will see what I can con Tony into doing, LOL!!!! I think with it being small it will be nice to vibe select small batches of like stones, that is what I really want to do!
Florida calls!!!
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ksk
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 69 
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Post by ksk on Jun 26, 2009 14:17:56 GMT -5
A tip for mounting your Lot-O: Go to your Home Depot or similar and buy a 16"x12"x8" concrete block and a tube of the proper construction adhesive. Not all stores have this size block but if you check a couple of different stores, you should be able to find one. Turn the block so a 12"x8" face is up. Simply glue the base of the Lot-O to the block and clamp for the appropriate amount of time and you are all set. The base is a little longer than 12" but if you have a little overhang on each side it is not a deal breaker. I use my Lot-O in the basement and put a rubber mat between the block and the floor and it works like a charm.
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firstrune
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2009
Posts: 156
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Post by firstrune on Jun 26, 2009 16:28:50 GMT -5
Amber, ConGRATS!!! I'm not here to give advice because I'm still very new to the whole vibe thing, but I do think you're really going to love it when you get a handle on it. My vibe came with two bowls, I labeled one of them Polish Only, just as Randy suggests, then the other is pre-polish. I've not done any 2nd stage rocks (from the rotaries) with mine yet, I think I'll wait until I get a 3rd bowl, so that I have a bowl dedicated to each process.
Have fun and I hope you'll post pics!! Oh and don't use 4 tablespoons of polish in a 3lb vibe, it's kinda messy on the rocks.. ;D
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Post by sitnwrap on Jun 26, 2009 22:34:28 GMT -5
You little rockhound, slabber, cabber, wrapper (yeah, you are a wrapper whether you like it or not), soon to be tumbler. Congratulations on your new toy. Have tons of fun in Florida! Lori |
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Post by connrock on Jun 27, 2009 6:39:31 GMT -5
FLORIDA,,,,,in June?  ?? Yankees are supposed to go to Florida in the winter when it's cold up here and warm down there.Not hot up here and hot down there!!! lol Did that guy you hang around with talk you into this??? Not much in the way of rocks down there either! What will you 2 possibly find to do while down there without rocks??? lol lol lol Have a GREAT time and keep that edduicated guy out of trouble!! I can't wait to here your tales of woe after you get that tumbler goin!! lol I know how to use one,,,Na Na Na Na Na Naaaaaaa!!!!!! connrock |
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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 Jun 27, 2009 12:18:50 GMT -5
After doing rotary tumbling for a while I bought a Lot-O last year and I use it now for everything except the first stage. It sounds like you have instructions from others here and I will never say I'm an expert in anything since I plan on constantly learning until I'm dead but if you need any help I'll be happy to through my 2 cents in the ring. it only took me a couple of months to get the hang of the vibe once I understood how it worked and the basic princples.
One bit of advice if your looking to round the stones I'd use a rotary tumbler with 60/80 grit for the first stage.
Have found making lots of shiny rocks.
Tom
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jun 27, 2009 12:53:45 GMT -5
Hi Amber,
Pleased you finaly got one
Follow Conrocks instructions and you will be amazed at what they turn out first time , I was awstruck,
Have a good Holiday
take care
jack
Yorkshire UK
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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 Jun 27, 2009 21:47:08 GMT -5
Amber, I think you will love the vibe after a load or two. I had trouble finding a concrete block as heavy as recommended. Then, after a couple months the double sided tape did not hold and my tumbler took a tumble. I then used liquid nails to stick two blocks together and then stuck the tumbler to them. So far, all is well. Randy and others here will give you really good advice. Sometimes it is a bit confusing when "formulas" vary. I actually wrote out in two columns connrocks method and Randy's method. It helped me sort things out. Oh, I just got my Gryphon Studio. I feel re it sorta like you feel re the Lotto! Learning new stuff is such a challenge. Good luck. Jean
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on Jun 27, 2009 22:22:40 GMT -5
Good pickup on the lot-o, you'll love it!
if you can't find a concrete block big enough, you can always make one yourself with a bag of sakcrete and some scrap wood to make a form....
I have mine ancored to a block of concrete with a thin piece of particle board inbetween, and then some foam rubber between the block and the gargae floor, it is very quiet this way.
Side note, if either you or your significant other are hunters or shooters and do your own reloading (or know anybody who does) the lot-o is excellent at polishing spent brass casings prior to reloading....
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Post by MyNewHobby on Jun 28, 2009 16:08:00 GMT -5
You will have to let me know what you think of the Lot O. I still love my rotary first. However ... I will love to hear what you think of your vibe versus rotary.
Enjoy your trip!!!
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jun 28, 2009 19:26:44 GMT -5
Julie, after a couple batches in your vibe, you'll feel differently. Also, do you have a Workforce saw? There's no limit to what you can do with a Workforce and a vibe.
EDIT: I just saw your "saw" post. Yep, no limit! ;D
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Post by Tonyterner on Jun 28, 2009 20:25:39 GMT -5
First off, Tom no I didn't talk her into it, she bought it without talking much to me about it. I'd never seen one so couldn't adviser her. That's where you came in, your the culprit here mister. lol The "edduicated guy" isn't in Florida, he's still back in PA. Amber's with her mom and son.
I'm taking notes here as I'm expecting to have a little work to do in getting her up and running. Sounds like a great machine she picked out and perfect for what she wants to do with it.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jun 30, 2009 0:49:38 GMT -5
Hi For a large block I used 1/2 a old Kerb stone (I dont know what you call them over there !!) what edges the road, also round car parks between the road and the pavements.  Jean Did you wait till the Paint was dry before you stuck the Lot"O" to it ? I have had my Lot "O" on the same block for 2 years, and its never moved a inch OR 1 mm !! have a good day Jack Yorkshire UK |
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10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
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Post by 10thumbs on Jun 30, 2009 10:29:46 GMT -5
Amber, what made you decide on a Lot-O versus an Ultra Vibe 10?
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jul 1, 2009 2:12:59 GMT -5
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10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
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Post by 10thumbs on Jul 1, 2009 7:50:25 GMT -5
For a large block I used 1/2 a old Kerb stone (I dont know what you call them over there !!) what edges the road, also round car parks between the road and the pavements. British to American translation: pavers. |
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jul 3, 2009 2:57:51 GMT -5
Thanks 10 Thumbs,
RTH is a dictionary as well !!!! great have a good day
Jack
Yorkshire uk
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