newrockguy
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2014
Posts: 8
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Post by newrockguy on Jan 17, 2017 15:18:14 GMT -5
Hi All, I'm still a relative newbie in the rock tumbling/polishing world, but I've been having fun with the hobby for almost a year now. I started with a Thumler's AR12 and rough from therockshed, and have been nothing but pleased. I've polished some Fancy Jasper, Tiger's Eye, Quartzite, and stones from Lake Huron. I've learned quite a bit, enough to know that there's a lot more to learn and that I'm enjoying it. :0)
My quandry is, with one tumbler I have something fun to do about once a week. I've also noticed that as you progress, the size of the loads tends to be reduced, both via physical grinding and "drop-out" as pitted and odd shaped rocks aren't a great thing to include in successive stages. That's fine with plastic and ceramic fill, but obviously the grit is a set cost and I rarely see pictures of perfectly tumbled ceramic and plastic here. :0)
So I want to "level-up", and a dual 3lb seems like a good fit, BUT, some of my favorites have been fist sized rocks from the beach. I like the heft of the polished monsters, and I know that's a no go with a small tumbler. To be honest, if I knew then what I know now I probably would have gotten a Model B instead of the AR12. And now to complicate things I'm finding myself looking at Vibes and Lortone (a double 6 lb?) as well. I guess I'm spoiled by choice. :0)
If you have a moment, any recommendations, opinions or advice is much appreciated. Thanks and thanks moderators for this great resource!
- Guy
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 17, 2017 15:23:42 GMT -5
I'd get a Lot-O. A vibratory tumbler will finish your rocks much quicker and with way less grit. In my Lot-O, I use 2 TABLEspoons of 120/220, then 1/2 TEAspoon of AO500, AO1000, and AO polish. Two days in each stage. Then your rotary can just work on rough tumbling. When the rocks wear down or you remove some that are done, just add more rough and keep it going like that forever. Your rotary will be one continuous rough grinder.
And, yes, you're addicted. Think of this as a support group, but we won't try to cure you.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 17, 2017 16:20:20 GMT -5
I have 2 QT-66s and a 4lb Lot-O. I maybe run the Lot-O once a month when I have enough to fill it. I keep wanting to buy another tumbler, but don't really have a need for more work. I agree with Rob, get the Lot-O and dedicate your rotary to rough duty.
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newrockguy
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2014
Posts: 8
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Post by newrockguy on Jan 17, 2017 19:40:21 GMT -5
Are the Lot-O's loud? I love my hobby but can't afford a divorce. :0)
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 17, 2017 20:03:36 GMT -5
They seem to vary. Drummond Island Rocks was at my house and said that mine was quieter than his three Lot-Os. Mine is in my basement and can be heard very slightly when the hous is very quiet. My Lortone QT66 is louder. The rotary tumblers make a thumping sound as the rocks roll around, but the Lot-O makes a humming noise. It's more steady sounding than the Lortone. My wife does not like the sound the Lortone makes, but hasn't left me yet.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jan 17, 2017 20:09:20 GMT -5
Are the Lot-O's loud? I love my hobby but can't afford a divorce. :0) Not loud enough to drown out a nagging wife, so that's the down side. The up side is that it isn't really loud enough to induce nagging, unless it's in the same room with you. There is a low hum if you are in a room above or below it. Mine in the garage (Lot O, not wife) has logged no complaints. That may be because I don't take complaining well though.
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napoleonrags
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2015
Posts: 474
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Post by napoleonrags on Jan 17, 2017 21:07:57 GMT -5
Get a Model B, a Lot-O, and a storage shed.
Colin
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 17, 2017 21:41:52 GMT -5
Guy, are you from Michigan?
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 17, 2017 21:49:27 GMT -5
I have my Lot-O mounted to a concrete block and in the basement. But the concrete block is on a couple of thick rubber pads. It cut down the noise quite a bit!
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newrockguy
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2014
Posts: 8
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Post by newrockguy on Jan 18, 2017 12:34:43 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestions all! Yes Jugglerguy (Rob?), I am from Michigan and I have noticed your Alpena location. I'm from the much-less-scenic metro-detroit area, Canton to be precise. We have an IKEA, but nowhere to get good rocks. :0)
So I think Lot-O sounds like the winner. I'll be buying from therockshed and noticed that there is single or double barrel option. Is there an opinion on those choices?
Part of me sees the $70 difference and thinks another vibe for $70 isn't so bad, but part of me thinks there's more to the decision than that. Reading the threads throughout here has me thinking I should get a single with an extra-barrel and later if I want a second Lot-O just buy it then.
Thanks again! Guy
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 18, 2017 16:06:32 GMT -5
Personally, I prefer the single barrel, but others prefer the double. I have four three-pound barrels and two six-pound barrels running the rough stage continuously. That's not enough to keep the Lot-O running all the time. The double barrel model has to be run with both barrels full. I think that it's possible to run with one barrel full of ceramics and the other full of rocks. I would get a second barrel for the polish stage.
My daughter's boyfriend is from Canton.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2017 16:56:02 GMT -5
Are the Lot-O's loud? I love my hobby but can't afford a divorce. :0) Not loud enough to drown out a nagging wife, so that's the down side. The up side is that it isn't really loud enough to induce nagging, unless it's in the same room with you. There is a low hum if you are in a room above or below it. Mine in the garage (Lot O, not wife) has logged no complaints. That may be because I don't take complaining well though. The most honest and educational post ever. I learned a lot. Maybe too much?
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jan 18, 2017 17:28:46 GMT -5
Not loud enough to drown out a nagging wife, so that's the down side. The up side is that it isn't really loud enough to induce nagging, unless it's in the same room with you. There is a low hum if you are in a room above or below it. Mine in the garage (Lot O, not wife) has logged no complaints. That may be because I don't take complaining well though. The most honest and educational post ever. I learned a lot. Maybe too much? HaHa! Just trying to be descriptive. I didn't marry a nag or complainer, she's pretty laid back.
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newrockguy
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2014
Posts: 8
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Post by newrockguy on Jan 18, 2017 20:41:24 GMT -5
Personally, I prefer the single barrel, but others prefer the double. I have four three-pound barrels and two six-pound barrels running the rough stage continuously. That's not enough to keep the Lot-O running all the time. The double barrel model has to be run with both barrels full. I think that it's possible to run with one barrel full of ceramics and the other full of rocks. I would get a second barrel for the polish stage. My daughter's boyfriend is from Canton. I think I'm ordering the single Lot-O and extra barrel. Thanks for all the help. I'm sure there will be a learning curve on this so I may be posting for help at some point. It's a small world. Hope the boyfriend isn't the type to sour you on a place. ;0)
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 18, 2017 21:06:36 GMT -5
Personally, I prefer the single barrel, but others prefer the double. I have four three-pound barrels and two six-pound barrels running the rough stage continuously. That's not enough to keep the Lot-O running all the time. The double barrel model has to be run with both barrels full. I think that it's possible to run with one barrel full of ceramics and the other full of rocks. I would get a second barrel for the polish stage. My daughter's boyfriend is from Canton. I think I'm ordering the single Lot-O and extra barrel. Thanks for all the help. I'm sure there will be a learning curve on this so I may be posting for help at some point. It's a small world. Hope the boyfriend isn't the type to sour you on a place. ;0) Nope, he's a great guy. He's studying geology too!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 18, 2017 22:22:19 GMT -5
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napoleonrags
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2015
Posts: 474
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Post by napoleonrags on Jan 19, 2017 0:01:15 GMT -5
Ok. I have the single and am considering the double because it uses, I think, the same amount of energy, electricity. I can run glass, other soft stuff, river rock, and funky-vugy agate straight in the Lot-o without rotary: I'm back logged.
And the wife loves the glass.
Less than two cents...
Colin
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newrockguy
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2014
Posts: 8
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Post by newrockguy on Jan 20, 2017 10:31:35 GMT -5
Thanks for all the posts and the 2 cents or less :0)
My order will get here just in time for taking some quartz and girasol opal (is that just a quartz too?) out of the "rough". Timing should be brilliant so thanks for helping me to finally "pull the trigger" on upscaling my addiction.
ChicagoDave, are the lower case t's in that recipe really teaspoons? That amount of grit beggars disbelief, but I will bow to experience. I just want to make sure I'm not being crazy.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jan 20, 2017 11:06:48 GMT -5
Thanks for all the posts and the 2 cents or less :0) My order will get here just in time for taking some quartz and girasol opal (is that just a quartz too?) out of the "rough". Timing should be brilliant so thanks for helping me to finally "pull the trigger" on upscaling my addiction. ChicagoDave, are the lower case t's in that recipe really teaspoons? That amount of grit beggars disbelief, but I will bow to experience. I just want to make sure I'm not being crazy. Yup, that's teaspoons once you go past the 120/220 stage. 1/2 teaspoon for 500, 1000 and polish. A little goes a long way, that's the beauty of the Lot O.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 20, 2017 11:48:08 GMT -5
I was shocked also, but it works with those small amounts!
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