robbiejohn
starting to shine!
Member since July 2010
Posts: 36
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Post by robbiejohn on Jul 26, 2010 20:34:50 GMT -5
Hi all, I'm a very enthusiastic newbie jumping in with both feet. I think I've made a mistake though and would like some advice. I've begun with a Lortone 33b. Works like a little charm. I've just finished 13 days with a store bought rough mixture and the shaping is going well. As an old codger, I'm becoming impatient though, and would like to hurry things up. In my explorations, I came across and ordered a twin-barreled Lot-o-tumbler vibe. They were almost giving it away and even paid the shipping.
Seems like a great idea to shape the roughs at 60/90, or so, in the 33B and finish in the Lot-o. However, I've just found out that the Lot-o always has to have both barrels charged and running together.
I live on a fairly remote island surrounded by tons of pretty beach pebbles, so I have 'filler' available for the 2nd Lot-o barrel. Could someone with experience lay out a possible schedule or routine for getting the best out of both tumblers? The Loto barrels take 4.5 lb of rocks in each load. That's 9 lb total. The two Lortone barrels take 3.5 lb each. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Robbiejohn.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 26, 2010 23:07:11 GMT -5
Ideally, run the 33b taking out only those rocks ready to advance and adding new rough. When you have enough rock ready to advance to fill the Lotto run it.
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Post by Toad on Jul 26, 2010 23:12:50 GMT -5
There is no such thing as too many tumblers. FYI - you must learn patience, or your tumbling results will likely end up sub-par.
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Post by deb193redux on Jul 27, 2010 8:00:03 GMT -5
SInce not all rock is ready to leave 60/90 at the same time, you really want to get a process of pulling stuff out weekly, and inserting it into one bowl of the LOt-O at 220. Then every day, pull stuff out of the Lot-O and set aside.
in the 2nd Lot-O bowl, cycle through 500F, optional 1200, and AO polish. You can run 500F for 1 or 2 24hr charges, the 1200 (if needed for softer rock) can be run 48hr if you add a little water after 24hrs. The AO may take 2 or 3 charges, each running for 48 or 72 hours. The finer grits do not break down much, so will last longer provided a little (emphasis little) water is added to keep things moving.
This is as close as you will get to a schedule.
The pebbles sound like OK filler, but also include some ceramic pellets. I recommend med & large sizes. This way you can move pebbles showing promise on to the finer cycles using ceramic to make up the difference. You can leave plain or unfortunate pebbles in the 220 or 60/90 forever as sacrificial helper stones.
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Jul 27, 2010 9:26:15 GMT -5
Welcome, island huh? Well everybody's got to live somewhere  Run a dummy load in the second vibe with rough rock and borax (if you have a course beach sand try that in the second tub with the dummy load... can't hurt) , won't do any harm and it will get you going. Keep us posted on your progress/ frustrations ;D, Dr Joe . |
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revco
starting to spend too much on rocks
Another Victim Of The Rockcycle
Member since February 2010
Posts: 162
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Post by revco on Jul 27, 2010 11:37:56 GMT -5
Hahaha. I'd echo that there's never enough tumblers! It's the rock cycle, welcome to it!
I think you've gotten a decent lineup of suggestions so far, but think about this. The rough stage takes the longest out of all the stages and tends to be the hold up for subsequent stages. It's best to bump up the rough capacity as much as possible, such that you have a regular output for the other stages. It will take a lot of rough capacity to keep 4.5lbs going all the time. As a frame of reference, it usually takes me about 4-5 weeks to acquire enough processed rough to fill a 3lb tumbler - and that's with tumbling 24lbs in rough simultaneously. I'm trying to optimize my process even further and keep two 3lb barrels turning simultaneously with subsequent stages, so I just added another 12lb tumbler, for a total of 36lbs.
How often you want to run the vibe will determine how much rough capacity you'll need. If you want to run them all the time, my guess is that it will take about 36 to 48 pounds, possibly more, of rough. That's a lot of rock and can make the hobby a burden if you're not prepared for it. (It takes me about 2.5 hours to sort/recharge a 24lb load) I'd also add that once you get through your first few batches, the urgency wears off and it becomes easier to be patient.
That's my 2 cents. Hope you're enjoying the hobby!
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Post by tortuga on Jul 27, 2010 15:55:41 GMT -5
welcome  patience was the hardest lesson for me. i sent my first 4 or 5 loads through and ended the coarse grind after about 10 days, due in part to impatience, and in part to the instructions that came with the lortone. now that i've grown accustomed to waiting I'm leaving them in rough for at least 4 weeks... i have a few that have been in for going on 2 months. go ahead and have fun with the first loads, so you have something shiny to look at You got a good tumbler to start with. I started with the 3-1.5b until I got a fantastic deal on a pair of 33b's from slabcabber here, have been running those nonstop since. I just picked up a 12lb from a local gentleman. I don't have anywhere near the amount of rough to fill that up anytime soon, so it's always nice to have smaller tumblers around for those moments. Glad to have you here... just curious, what island are you from? Grabbed my curiosity when you said a remote island. |
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Jul 27, 2010 16:29:49 GMT -5
yea, what island?? Do you know Gilligan and the Skipper too? ;D
Name withheld 'cause that was just too stupid :drool:
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NorthShore-Rocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,004
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Post by NorthShore-Rocks on Jul 27, 2010 18:36:18 GMT -5
Lots of good advice here... Here's my 2 cents. I too started out with strictly rotaries. I acquired 2 older single Lot-O's on pure chance. They were thrown in with a big saw purchase. After learning to use the younger of the two vibes, I couldn't be happier with the speed and economics of the little vibe. I have 2 large tumblers, a Lortone QT12 and a Thumler Model B. They tumble 27lbs of rough 24/7 365 and that's all they do (Lake Superior Agate & Jaspers with 60/90). With this combo, I get just enough material ready to pull out and carry forward, to polish a batch in the Lot-O every week (4-1/2 lbs). I may have to re-use some small helpers to fill out the Lot-O bowl, but the combination seems perfectly matched for what I tumble and I always have plenty of little pea sized helpers on hand... so key to a successful vibe load. You may have to wait a while to accumulate enough material with only a 33b, especially with a dual Lot-0, even if you fill a dummy load in the other side. Patience is a virtue in this sport, but you can still achieve outstanding results with the equipment you have! Steve |
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robbiejohn
starting to shine!
Member since July 2010
Posts: 36
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Post by robbiejohn on Aug 5, 2010 2:11:04 GMT -5
Dear all responders, this is late as I've been lost on the site and didn't know until now how easy it is to reply. Thanks for the warm and generous welcome. Your answers are very encouraging and informative. Now I have a new set of options and lots more confidence. I hope the patience comes as easily. Best and shiniest to you all! Robbiejohn. PS the island is Pender Is. BC.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Aug 5, 2010 3:07:36 GMT -5
Welcome
Yes Paitience is the name of the game, With its friend "Clinical Clean"
(Wash the rocks thoroughly between stages)
Dont forget to keep a diary of your experiments for future reference
Jack
Yorkshire uk
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patience was the hardest lesson for me. i sent my first 4 or 5 loads through and ended the coarse grind after about 10 days, due in part to impatience, and in part to the instructions that came with the lortone. now that i've grown accustomed to waiting I'm leaving them in rough for at least 4 weeks... i have a few that have been in for going on 2 months. go ahead and have fun with the first loads, so you have something shiny to look at 
