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Post by connrock on Aug 24, 2009 7:29:03 GMT -5
First did you open the file I attached to my last post?
Second,,,,It's not the plastic pellets that's slowing the action down it's the liquid soap.
If you take a little of the soap between 2 fingers you will feel that it's quite sticky until you add water to it.
if you use 2 pumps of liquid soap you will need a LOT of water to make it get slippery and that amount of water will mess you up.
Squirt the same amount of soap that you use in the tumbler into a container.Feel the soap and then keep adding water until the soap gets slippery.
connrock
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redwings1
starting to shine!
Member since July 2009
Posts: 45
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Post by redwings1 on Aug 24, 2009 13:56:49 GMT -5
Things seem to make so much more sense when someone points out the obvious. Yes, the soap is sticky and like everything else, I was probably using a pump too much.
I read the article you attached on the Lot-O and found value in it and also remember reading a couple threads that stated that the
Lot-O's act different from other vibes and I remember thinking "how different can they be?" Right now I can only rely on what advice I get as I have minimal personal experience. Thank you for your patience.
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redwings1
starting to shine!
Member since July 2009
Posts: 45
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Post by redwings1 on Aug 24, 2009 19:15:05 GMT -5
well well well...finally here's a sample of all my trials and I am pretty darn happy with them...and I think they'd get even better if I put them back in but I think I'll get going on the next batch. Thanks again for all of your great tips!  |
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Post by connrock on Aug 26, 2009 12:13:04 GMT -5
The difference between a LOT and other brands is that the LOT doesn't have a separator in the center of the barrel.
The action is basically the same,,,,,the rocks vibrate and roll over each other.
Well,well,well you did GREAT!!!!
I can see that you are determined and that's a HUGE plus!
The type of rocks you tumble has a LOT to do with the outcome.
After all the tons of rocks I've tumbled I am completely stumped with this load of tourmaline I'm doing!
It's a challenge but it's also frustrating after thinking I couldn't be stumped by any type of rocks again.
I WILL get it done but we may be walking and living on Mars by then!
Keep at it you're doin GREAT!
connrock
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cork2win
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2005
Posts: 15 
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Post by cork2win on Sept 16, 2009 12:14:03 GMT -5
Nice! I would be thrilled if my batch of similar rocks came out as well! I have the same tumbler as you. Would you mind summarizing what finally worked for you?
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redwings1
starting to shine!
Member since July 2009
Posts: 45
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Post by redwings1 on Sept 17, 2009 8:39:46 GMT -5
Gladly, Cork2win...and might i point out that this last batch came out super nice, much nicer than my previous attempt. 1) One rounded teaspoon #220 SiC and (2) tablespoons of corn syrup. I use a spray bottle to add my water, maybe (15) pumps. The syrup helps cushion the stones and aids in the 'slippin and slidin' action. I also dont have to worry about letting it run all night or while I'm at work when I'm not able to check on it because the syrup also seems to help hold the moisture and the load doesnt accidently dry out on me. I run this stage a couple-few complete days until I'm satified with their appearance when wet. I rinse and recharge every 24 hours. I dont worry about that because I'm only using (1) teaspoon of grit. 2) One rounded teaspoon #600 SiC and (2) tablespoons corn syrup and water spritz. After 24 hours I rinse and if, for some reason, (like some small pitting) I might put them back in the 600 for another 12 hours, or whatever it takes. 3) Burnish a few hours with few tablespoons of Borax and enough water to touch the top layer of stones in the bowl. 4) One rounded teaspoon Aluminum Oxide Polish (TheRockShed.com), (2) pounds of the small round ceramic media, water spritz and a good pinch of grated Ivory bar soap. I let this initial mixture run (3) full days. 5) Final burnish for a few hours and let me tell you, wow, turned out to be the best batch so far. Now i can see what all the fuss is about. Beautiful! I did still have several that got fractured, but I'll just add them back to a future #600 and restart from there. Hope this helps, it has not come easy for me!  |
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redwings1
starting to shine!
Member since July 2009
Posts: 45
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Post by redwings1 on Sept 17, 2009 16:07:24 GMT -5
Connrock - thanks for the words of encouragement, and good luck with that tourmaline, you'll figure it out. I'm still stumped with my petoskeys, how to take them to a decent polish in my vibe. I'm not giving up!
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