osuguy0301
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 203
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Post by osuguy0301 on Dec 21, 2016 8:10:11 GMT -5
As some of you may know, my rock tumbler (Lortone 45C) is currently being used in my classroom to show the joys of rock tumbling to a younger generation. This caused a dilemma for me though, as I didn't have a tumbler at home to run. Last year at Christmas, my wife bought me that tumbler and ever since I have been wanting another tumbler. My rock tumbling project at school has gone so well that it is something I have decided to try to do every year. That means that my Lortone 45C will basically be in my classroom full time except for the Summer. This simply cannot stand!
So today, I ordered a new Lortone QT66 and a Lot-O for ME! I have learned a lot from these boards about running my rotary tumbler and I look forward to looking through all the Lot-O tips, tricks, and help threads. I am really excited to upgrade my operation and to start running some batches again at home. I love doing the project at school and the kids love taking some rocks with them when they are done. In 4 months of tumbling at school, all of the finished rocks have gone to my students but I need some new shiny rocks for me.
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, Hanukkah, Festivus, or whatever you celebrate.
Jake
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Dec 21, 2016 9:13:16 GMT -5
You are going to LOVE that combo! Congrats.
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Post by wigglinrocks on Dec 21, 2016 11:20:14 GMT -5
Another victim of the rock voodoo Very good choices on the tumblers
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osuguy0301
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 203
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Post by osuguy0301 on Dec 25, 2016 8:38:40 GMT -5
My shipment came from the RockShed yesterday. Ordered on Wednesday and showed up on Saturday, pretty darn good for the holidays. It was a nice little early Christmas gift for myself. I hope to have it up and running in the next day or 2, got a lot of family to see today. Can't wait to get started!
Jake
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 25, 2016 9:04:23 GMT -5
That's exactly the two tumblers I have and would buy again. I also have a couple smaller tumblers. You're going to love how fast and how well the Lot-O works. Saves a lot of grit too.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on Dec 25, 2016 12:02:23 GMT -5
Rolling rocks is addictive,isn't it.................
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Post by greig on Jan 2, 2017 21:31:03 GMT -5
Couldn't the kids just hand polish rocks? That way you could have two tumblers going at home. LOL
Good for you. Great combo of machines. You will be very happy.
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osuguy0301
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 203
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Post by osuguy0301 on Jan 4, 2017 15:37:06 GMT -5
Couldn't the kids just hand polish rocks? That way you could have two tumblers going at home. LOL Good for you. Great combo of machines. You will be very happy. I have them write notes for 10 minutes and you would think their hands were gonna fall off. Having them hand polish would be hysterical. Would probably get put in jail for cruel and unusual punishment...LoL Jake
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,558
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Post by jamesp on Jan 4, 2017 15:53:27 GMT -5
I hope they still have play hour. Better than dosing them with Ritalin.
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osuguy0301
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 203
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Post by osuguy0301 on Jan 5, 2017 6:11:54 GMT -5
I hope they still have play hour. Better than dosing them with Ritalin. I am only 36 but things are a lot different from when I was in middle school. When we would get to school, we wouldn't be allowed in the school until the bell rang for school to start unless it was pouring down rain or really cold. We would play touch football or basketball until it was time for class. At lunch, once you were done eating you were sent outside unless it was raining or really cold. We would again play basketball or football and often the P.E. teacher would have a game of kick ball or wiffleball going on. Today, kids get to school often 45 minutes before classes start depending on the bus they ride. They get an opportunity to get breakfast and then they are sent to the gym where they sit in the stands. At lunch its pretty much the same except sometimes they will get a game of dodgeball going. Right behind the middle school are basketball courts, baseball fields, and a large grass field. They only take them outside on the nicest days, and never in the winter. We probably use those facilities for the kids 20-30 school days a year out of 180. They wonder why kids have so much pent up energy, why they are restless in class, and why some of them are discipline problems. There are very few outlets for them to release the energy they have. These kids only get P.E. 2-3 weeks out of every 9 weeks. Myself and a few other teachers have brought up this issue and have even volunteered to do "recess duty" but it has fallen on deaf ears. They say they are too worried about kids getting hurt on school property. Jake
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,558
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Post by jamesp on Jan 5, 2017 6:51:13 GMT -5
We are a nation trapped by law suits osuguy0301. Perhaps two schools, one for those that sign a waiver not to sue for a long list of ridiculous reasons, and one for those that will not sign said waiver. Same idea for businesses and public venues. Good luck on your conquest.
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Post by pghram on Jan 5, 2017 19:57:45 GMT -5
And that's why we have government programs to fight obesity... said the fat guy.
Peace,
Rich
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osuguy0301
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 203
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Post by osuguy0301 on Jan 6, 2017 9:22:47 GMT -5
I opened up my QT66 this morning. Things are moving along nicely. These seem to shape rocks faster than my 4.5 lb lortone. I was able to take the rocks from both barrels and fit almost all of them into 1 barrel. I then reloaded the 2nd barrel with new rocks and got them spinning again. I haven't had time to set up my Lot-O yet, other than to epoxy the bottom holes of the bowls and get my anchor block set up. Its gonna be a few weeks before I have any material to run in there so I plan to paint the block this weekend and get everything ready to go.
Jake
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