johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 17, 2016 21:25:59 GMT -5
Received the new Lot-O today! Went to Home Depot and got a cement block, cement to fill the block and some heavy-duty adhesive to anchor it down. Just wish I had 4lbs of Stage 1 rocks done and ready for my new vibe. That will probably take another month or so I guess that will give me plenty of time to do (more) research, reading tips & tricks, etc.
Next purchase(s)… diamond wheel grinder/saw combo and a 12lb Lortone (but if I want to stay married, those will have to wait awhile).
Rock on! John
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rastageezer
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2013
Posts: 169
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Post by rastageezer on Mar 17, 2016 22:20:54 GMT -5
You're going to love it! Think about what Chuck said about stacking some blocks to get it off the floor. Think about placement because you don't want to be moving those blocks around later on. Most of all run that stage one for longer than you would think to get the rocks perfect BEFORE they go into the Lot-o.
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Intheswamp
Cave Dweller
Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on Mar 17, 2016 22:23:28 GMT -5
John, I bought two regular blocks and a solid 4" block. I wonder if you might be happier with two or three blocks rather than a single one. I glued them all together and then glued my Lot-O to the solid top block. It works well. I still have to bend over to work with it, but not nearly as far as I would with a single block. I don't have my setup anchored to the the floor. I'm thinking of putting a sheet of rubber inner tube material beneath it to see if it quietens down a little bit. Well, since you're waiting on your load to come out of the rotary you *could* put some rough in there and tinker with polishing natural shaped rocks. You may not get eye-blinding polish on the rocks (or you might!) but you will get some experience and get to play with your new toy tool. Just a thought....
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 17, 2016 23:01:50 GMT -5
Well, since you're waiting on your load to come out of the rotary you *could* put some rough in there and tinker with polishing natural shaped rocks. You may not get eye-blinding polish on the rocks (or you might!) but you will get some experience and get to play with your new toy tool. Just a thought.... Great idea, Ed… Im going to do just that this weekend! Awesome suggestion, thanks! I like the idea of stacking blocks to make it easier on the back, but with a curious 8 year old rockhound, I'll feel better keeping it as close to the floor as possible.
As far as noise goes, I like your inner tube idea. I've read that a 1" thick piece of styrofoam used as a base works well, but that has to lessen the efficacy of the vibe. Like you said, "get some experience and play with your new toy tool". It's a good thing that I actually like taking detailed notes.
Once again, thank you for the ideas! John
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 17, 2016 23:22:54 GMT -5
Hey John, I got a Lot O shortly after starting my new tumbling career also. I loved the first batch I did, it is a speedy little bugger and gives you something to do every day, even if it's just adding a bit of water. You also get to see your rocks doing their thing. Problem is, my second batch is a load of Bahia agate, Lakers and picture Jasper. Much harder than my first batch...they've been tumbling for a couple months now and the Lot O has cobwebs on it. I'm placing my order for a 12 lb Lortone tomorrow so I can push a little more rough through the process. I'm going with the 'easier to ask forgiveness' theory with the wife.
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Post by oregon on Mar 18, 2016 0:21:05 GMT -5
Just working through my first load on a new to me Lot-O... much more interactive than the closed drum indeed.
Anyway, I have two cement blocks sitting on the patio that I was going to attach it to, but my equipment always seems to be in the wrong spot, and I was worried about having to move two solid blocks of concrete with the tumbler attached... So when I tripped over the lead bricks I had sitting around the other day, I came up with a more movable solutions. The lead bricks are about 30lbs each, I just cut up some 2x6 to slide them in, and screwed/glued most of it together, save for one side. I can slide the individual bricks out and move things easily in parts, but it's heavy enough assembled to stay put.
I imagine you might be able to do the same with sand bags or such, and make it a little taller. I like being able to pick it up and move it without breaking my back.
Seems like a fun tumbler...
Rick
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Post by Jugglerguy on Mar 18, 2016 5:24:30 GMT -5
While you're waiting for that first batch to get through the rough tumble, you might want to fill the hole in the bottom of the Lot-O barrel with epoxy. I twirled some epoxy on the end of a small stick of wood and lowered it in the barrel and let it drip off. I've never had to redo it. If you don't fill the hole, ceramic piceces are always getting stuck in there.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 18, 2016 5:30:04 GMT -5
While you're waiting for that first batch to get through the rough tumble, you might want to fill the hole in the bottom of the Lot-O barrel with epoxy. I twirled some epoxy on the end of a small stick of wood and lowered it in the barrel and let it drip off. I've never had to redo it. If you don't fill the hole, ceramic piceces are always getting stuck in there. Amen!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 18, 2016 10:29:27 GMT -5
SCORE! Have fun with the new toy!!!
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 18, 2016 15:15:36 GMT -5
While you're waiting for that first batch to get through the rough tumble, you might want to fill the hole in the bottom of the Lot-O barrel with epoxy. I twirled some epoxy on the end of a small stick of wood and lowered it in the barrel and let it drip off. I've never had to redo it. If you don't fill the hole, ceramic piceces are always getting stuck in there. Thanks for the tip, Jugglerguy! I never would have noticed it until after my first clean out. I bought two extra barrels so I can have one dedicated for each stage. I bought one epoxy kit and it was more than enough to fill all three barrel holes, and then some. Once again, thank you for the great advice and saving me from future aggravation. John
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Mar 18, 2016 15:50:41 GMT -5
Ditto on filling the hole with epoxy. I always wondered why it's there in the first place. I've seen toilet plungers that look very similar to the Loto-O barrel. Perhaps they source them from a plunger mfg. without having to make a completely new mold? Lynn
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 18, 2016 16:10:34 GMT -5
And…….. I broke it already, before even using it. Being the dummy that I am, I shoved the barrel in before reading the instructions and bent a spring. Just got done ordering a set of new springs. Ugh.
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rastageezer
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2013
Posts: 169
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Post by rastageezer on Mar 18, 2016 17:16:10 GMT -5
man you're going to fit right in around here!
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Intheswamp
Cave Dweller
Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on Mar 18, 2016 17:19:49 GMT -5
Hmm, could you flip the spring over and use it that way?....against the "bend"? Which one bent, one of the ones over the dowel?
I forgot about the hole in the bottom of the barrels. I bought my Lot-O used and the guy that sold it to me had already filled them.
Can ya get a picture of it?
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Mar 18, 2016 18:00:27 GMT -5
I got a used Lot-O with broken springs. I used some scraps of metal palett strapping to replace them. Lynn
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 18, 2016 20:03:39 GMT -5
Hmm, could you flip the spring over and use it that way?....against the "bend"? Which one bent, one of the ones over the dowel? I forgot about the hole in the bottom of the barrels. I bought my Lot-O used and the guy that sold it to me had already filled them. Can ya get a picture of it? I'm a perfectionist, to a fault. I slightly bent the front/right spring and it doesn't have the same curvature as the front/left spring now. Am I being too critical? How important is it to have the springs in perfect condition/shape for the Lot-O? As always, any info/advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, John
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2016 20:22:15 GMT -5
Hmm, could you flip the spring over and use it that way?....against the "bend"? Which one bent, one of the ones over the dowel? I forgot about the hole in the bottom of the barrels. I bought my Lot-O used and the guy that sold it to me had already filled them. Can ya get a picture of it? I'm a perfectionist, to a fault. I slightly bent the front/right spring and it doesn't have the same curvature as the front/left spring now. Am I being too critical? How important is it to have the springs in perfect condition/shape for the Lot-O? As always, any info/advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, John
Omg Under tension the bend is nothing. Use it! Or Prove me wrong.
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 18, 2016 20:30:23 GMT -5
I'm a perfectionist, to a fault. I slightly bent the front/right spring and it doesn't have the same curvature as the front/left spring now. Am I being too critical? How important is it to have the springs in perfect condition/shape for the Lot-O? As always, any info/advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, John
Omg Under tension the bend is nothing. Use it! Or Prove me wrong. Good to know, Shotgunner. Thanks!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2016 20:32:36 GMT -5
A crack in the frame or barrel, thats a problem. A cosmetically challenged spring? Sleep good tonight. Please!
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Intheswamp
Cave Dweller
Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on Mar 20, 2016 21:20:36 GMT -5
I've been without internet for a few days...at work now, still out at the house....good ol' Centurystink... What shotgunner said, run it!
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