kptom
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2021
Posts: 4
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Post by kptom on Aug 12, 2021 15:51:41 GMT -5
First, some background before the question...
I started off tumbling some Mexican Lace agate and Botswana Agate in my Lortone 33B for 2 weeks. I used 80 grit and rinsed/changed grit after one week. I was happy with the way things looked, so I moved on.
Stage 2 was in the Lot-O, using 220 grit for two days along with ceramic media. I had nice action and movement in the barrel. After two days, I was happy to move to the next step.
Stage 3 was 600 grit, still with the ceramic media. Again, good movement and action in the Lot-O barrel. Again it went for 2 days. Looking good!
Now it's time for the polish stage. Using Aluminum Oxide polish, and per the instructions that came with the Lot-O, I only added 1/2 tsp of the polish. Now my question...
I am getting practically no movement of the rocks/media in the Lot-O. I have been spraying water into the barrel, thinking there was not enough to cause a good rolling action. Things are just "vibrating" without any rolling motion of the contents.
What did I do wrong? Not enough polish? I'm really at a loss. I may let it go another day, empty and rinse, and try again. All the grit and polish came from Kingsley North.
Any advice or suggestions? I am very much a beginner, so any input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your time, Tom
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jimaz
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2018
Posts: 463
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Post by jimaz on Aug 12, 2021 19:12:14 GMT -5
I do the normal water routine, fill with some water and then hold hand over mouth and drain. I only use 1/4 tsp for polish in the Lot-O. I usually also add 2 Tbs of borax to my final. If you barrel is not full enough it may be adding to your issue. Hope that helps.
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Post by jasoninsd on Aug 12, 2021 19:35:19 GMT -5
I do the normal water routine, fill with some water and then hold hand over mouth and drain. I only use 1/4 tsp for polish in the Lot-O. I usually also add 2 Tbs of borax to my final. If you barrel is not full enough it may be adding to your issue. Hope that helps. I use Borax also...but when I add the Borax, it nearly halts everything. I have to keep spritzing the water in until I get good movement. Once it gets moving though, it stays fine during the polishing stage. (I know you didn't ask or anything...but thought I'd add my info to yours! LOL)
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catskillrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,270
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Post by catskillrocks on Aug 12, 2021 19:45:26 GMT -5
Pretty much what jimaz described. My guess is that there is now too much water in the barrel. Even though the amount of polish seems minimal, it is plenty to get a good polish. Good luck.
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kptom
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2021
Posts: 4
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Post by kptom on Aug 13, 2021 17:39:42 GMT -5
Thank you for all the suggestions. It looks like the problem was that the weights were not aligned. Once I straightened that out, things worked like a charm! Lesson learned.
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Prov
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2020
Posts: 116
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Post by Prov on Aug 20, 2021 13:02:08 GMT -5
Actually curious about the weight alignment - I've seen this issue in my polish step once or twice, and it's baffled the heck out of me, because it's the same set of rocks and ceramic, but suddenly on polish they don't want to move.
Any pointers?
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catskillrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,270
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Post by catskillrocks on Aug 20, 2021 20:39:22 GMT -5
If you have a Lot-O vibe I would first check to make sure that the weights are aligned, like kptom did. Otherwise it may have too much water?
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Prov
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2020
Posts: 116
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Post by Prov on Aug 21, 2021 20:56:07 GMT -5
I am unbelievably dense, so can you explain what you mean about weight alignment? Like the actual alignment within the barrel, or something else?
Sorry, just looking for clarification.
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waterboysh
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2021
Posts: 386
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Post by waterboysh on Jan 5, 2022 16:14:12 GMT -5
I just ordered a Lot-o, so I'd like to know what weights I should make sure are aligned. Can't wait to polish my tiger's eye that's running through coarse at the moment.
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catskillrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,270
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Post by catskillrocks on Jan 5, 2022 18:29:18 GMT -5
Prov , I never saw your question here until waterboysh brought it up with the same question here. The spinning white "fans" on either side of the motor have a single weighted metal inside. If you turn them slowly you will be able to see them. Once you have one in position (top, bottom, doesn't matter), then you align the other "fan's" weight the same as the first one. Hope I explained it OK and hope it helps.
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