mirdonamy
starting to shine!
Don't step on the momeraths!
Member since March 2020
Posts: 31
|
Post by mirdonamy on May 20, 2020 15:28:43 GMT -5
So, after reading the Rock Tumbling book, reading through posts here for months, and reading articles on the RockTumbler.com site, I am still torn between Vibe Tumblers. I have decided on the Lortone QT66 rotary tumbler, but I am trying to find a companion Vibe Tumbler to go with it (primarily to save $ on electricity & grit, but to also speed up the process when my husband has some pendant orders to wire-wrap). So many of you seem to love your UV-10's, TV-5's, and Lot-O's enough for me to consider those models; however, which is the best Vibe to take over stage 3 and 4 from the Lortone QT66? In addition to moving from the rotary after stage 2, I also plan to use the Vibe for polishing up stones I SHAPE (using 80 grit and 180 grit electroplated diamond discs) on my Slanted Lapidary Machine (Hi-Tech Diamond). These stones will have specific shapes. I know I COULD take them through my other discs (220, 325, 600, 1200, etc.) on the slanted lap, and I currently do. I am just looking for another way to get them to a high-quality shine without spending hours in front of the lapidary machine. So, the Vibe will need to be able to handle rough shaped nuggets from the Lortone QT66 and some pre-shaped stones from my slanted lap. I usually only shape about 5 to 10 stones (cab size) at a time. So, the Vibe does NOT have to be much larger (if at all) than the Lortone QT66 capacity. Which Vibe would you suggest? Have you tried others? Why is this one best? I have read so much, but I feel more confused than ever! I could use some experienced voices! Location: Garage (located under the living room in our house) Floor: Cement Budget for Vibe: $300 or so, ideally less Goals: Super-high shine, reduce electricity and grit $$$, and reduce time in polishing
|
|
billdean
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 153
|
Post by billdean on May 20, 2020 16:06:02 GMT -5
I am pretty new to this and struggle a little when I first started out. I ended up with a QT66 and a Lot-O. I could not be more happier! There was a learning curve on both machines to get my desired results, but once I figured that out there was know looking back. I am very happy with my purchase.
|
|
mirdonamy
starting to shine!
Don't step on the momeraths!
Member since March 2020
Posts: 31
|
Post by mirdonamy on May 20, 2020 16:14:00 GMT -5
I am pretty new to this and struggle a little when I first started out. I ended up with a QT66 and a Lot-O. I could not be more happier! There was a learning curve on both machines to get my desired results, but once I figured that out there was know looking back. I am very happy with my purchase. Was it difficult to cement the Lot-O to your floor? How did you do it, or how did you learn how to do it? Did you get the 4lb single barrel?
|
|
Prov
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2020
Posts: 116
|
Post by Prov on May 20, 2020 16:23:08 GMT -5
Still learning to use my Lot O, but I bought a cement paving stone, painted it with 4 coats of latex paint, and attached it with the adhesive strips that came on it.
It was a very easy job, and the machine runs reasonably quiet. It's on the block on the carpet in my living room. We don't hear it upstairs in our loft (office space), or in our bedroom at night.
|
|
billdean
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 153
|
Post by billdean on May 20, 2020 16:34:29 GMT -5
I am pretty new to this and struggle a little when I first started out. I ended up with a QT66 and a Lot-O. I could not be more happier! There was a learning curve on both machines to get my desired results, but once I figured that out there was know looking back. I am very happy with my purchase. Was it difficult to cement the Lot-O to your floor? How did you do it, or how did you learn how to do it? Did you get the 4lb single barrel? I mounted mine to a cement block with the adhesive that came with the Lot-O. Easy enough. I only got the single barrel Lot-O. Everyone has there own recipe that they use but what is left out seems to be exactly how and when to add different things like the soap, grit, clay, etc. For me I added what they said all at once and ended up with a concrete mess in the bottom of the Lot-o. It took some trial and error to get things just right.
|
|
|
Post by knave on May 20, 2020 16:38:13 GMT -5
The UV10 is a lot of tumbler. TheRock prefers the uv10 as it has lower decibels per pound The UV platform tends to be more aggressive than the loto, and needs to have sugar added for more delicate materials. I’m very happy with my loto, I only have one barrel and it polishes well. The Single loto will easily keep up with your QT66.
|
|
|
Post by knave on May 20, 2020 16:40:36 GMT -5
Some folks are happy with the TV5 as well. It would tend to be louder and some of the reviews talk about some slight leaking from the lid.
|
|
mirdonamy
starting to shine!
Don't step on the momeraths!
Member since March 2020
Posts: 31
|
Post by mirdonamy on May 20, 2020 16:55:08 GMT -5
Was it difficult to cement the Lot-O to your floor? How did you do it, or how did you learn how to do it? Did you get the 4lb single barrel? I mounted mine to a cement block with the adhesive that came with the Lot-O. Easy enough. I only got the single barrel Lot-O. Everyone has there own recipe that they use but what is left out seems to be exactly how and when to add different things like the soap, grit, clay, etc. For me I added what they said all at once and ended up with a concrete mess in the bottom of the Lot-o. It took some trial and error to get things just right. Odd question... where did you get a cement block? If willing, can I see a photo of your Lot-O on the block, or can you describe how heavy or large it is? I need to consider how to find one!
|
|
Prov
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2020
Posts: 116
|
Post by Prov on May 20, 2020 18:09:13 GMT -5
I got mine from Home Depot, it is just slightly shy of 40 lbs like the Lot O guide recommends. The paver stone and the tester of paint I used to paint it with came out just shy of 10 bucks in materials. The Lot O comes with adhesive strips pre-mounted on the bottom, so all you have to do is peel off the covering on the adhesive, and apply it once the concrete is prepped. imgur.com/a/eeqiLp8Don't mind the slurry spatter, I discovered the small hole I punched in the lid was too small to adaquately relieve pressure. I have since enlarged the hole a bit to see if it helps on the next go around.
|
|
mirdonamy
starting to shine!
Don't step on the momeraths!
Member since March 2020
Posts: 31
|
Post by mirdonamy on May 20, 2020 20:52:58 GMT -5
I got mine from Home Depot, it is just slightly shy of 40 lbs like the Lot O guide recommends. The paver stone and the tester of paint I used to paint it with came out just shy of 10 bucks in materials. The Lot O comes with adhesive strips pre-mounted on the bottom, so all you have to do is peel off the covering on the adhesive, and apply it once the concrete is prepped. imgur.com/a/eeqiLp8Don't mind the slurry spatter, I discovered the small hole I punched in the lid was too small to adaquately relieve pressure. I have since enlarged the hole a bit to see if it helps on the next go around. I like the green paint! Do you think the carpet helps with the sound? I could get a small square of carpet to put on the concrete floor! Hmmm
|
|
Prov
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2020
Posts: 116
|
Post by Prov on May 21, 2020 16:08:48 GMT -5
Honestly, not sure. I doubt it hurts though! I could give it a try out on the deck later and find out.
|
|
JBe
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2019
Posts: 103
|
Post by JBe on May 22, 2020 10:53:17 GMT -5
I mounted my Lot-O on a 16x16 paver. I also bought an inexpensive rubber door mat that I cut in half and put under the paver to help isolate the vibrations. Since I had extra space on the paver I wired in a switch so I'm not constantly plugging and unplugging it.
|
|
NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
|
Post by NevadaBill on May 22, 2020 11:23:18 GMT -5
Just to be a little different, I am going to recommend the Diamond Pacific MT-4 tumbler. The opening at the top is a bit larger, for bigger stones. Also, you won't need to worry about it walking around the garage floor by itself either. Once you get the hang of it, the machine makes fine polished rocks.
|
|