Win
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2017
Posts: 336
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Post by Win on Jul 25, 2022 15:49:23 GMT -5
My Lot O motor gave out and it seems the replacements are not very good. So, I went and bought a Mini Sonic and it's time to give it a try. Those of you that use one, I have a couple of ??
1) Stg 2, after rotary, will be 120/220, in the Lot O I just run the grit, no ceramic or Borax 2) Stg 3 and 4 are 500 AO and 1000 AO with ceramic and Borax 3) Polish is AO, usually, with ceramic and Borax Burnish at end with Borax and Ivory soap.
Will the runtimes be the same, I vary 36 hours in 120/220, 24 hrs in 500, 48 hours in 1000 and 48-72 hrs in Polish.
Any tips that will help out?
Thanks, Win
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aGates
spending too much on rocks
Building a silver studio
Member since January 2021
Posts: 473
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Post by aGates on Jul 25, 2022 16:51:41 GMT -5
I have a mini sonic i used occasionally my only 2 cents is that it is much quicker than the rotorys. Ide look at half time if rotorys and see where your at.
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notfragile
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2021
Posts: 19
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Post by notfragile on Jul 25, 2022 17:50:52 GMT -5
I've been using a Mini-Sonic for more than a year now, and I think I've got a pretty good handle on how it works. I've posted a few threads in the Pictures forum if you want to see how my stones look.
First thing you need to know is that when the load stops turning and seems to be jammed up, you've got too much or too large of material in the hopper. I find that it works best with a pound and a half of stones and half a pound of ceramic per load, for all grits.
I run the Mini at full speed for hard stones like agate and jasper, about 3/4 speed for quartz and sodalite and such. I've not tried any of the softer materials yet.
My schedule for the Mini is as follows:
120-220 SiC grit - 4 teaspoons, run 3 days. 500-600 SiC grit - 3 teaspoons, run 2 days. 1000 grit aluminum oxide grit - 2 teaspoons, run 24 hours. Raybrite A polish - Half a teaspoon, run 24 hours. This quantity may need to be adjusted depending on the polish you use. I find that long runs in polish tend to be counterproductive in the Mini, 24 hours is plenty.
I do not use any additives, but I do run a cleaning stage after each cleanout, a small pinch of Ivory soap shavings for about an hour, or as long as it takes for me to drink my morning mug of coffee.
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quartzilla
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2020
Posts: 1,218
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Post by quartzilla on Jul 25, 2022 21:46:07 GMT -5
I only use my mini sonic for ao 1000 and ao 8000. 36 to 48 hours for those two stages. I basically use the ceramics as you do.
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waterboysh
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2021
Posts: 369
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Post by waterboysh on Jul 26, 2022 10:52:11 GMT -5
The motor on my Lot-o died after 4 months and I'm a little wary of buying a new motor after reading about so many other Lot-o motor failures. Plus, I've literally checked the only 3 sites I can find selling the motor every day for almost 2 months now and no one has had them in stock. I loved the results of the Lot-o. I loved how easy it was to use. I loved how quiet it was (at least for the first month before it started to fail). But I can't replace the motor every 4 months, or even every 12 or 24 months. That's just to quick of a failure rate for me.
I think if I can find a replacement motor I'll get it. But if that motor fails (rather quickly - I know it'll fail eventually), I definitely won't get another one. The Mini Sonic MT4 seems like the best alternative. I like that it doesn't have a motor. I can't really find much info on it, but it looks like it uses an electro-magnet to quickly vibrate the big clamp the hopper sits in.
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Win
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2017
Posts: 336
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Post by Win on Jul 26, 2022 11:07:06 GMT -5
The motor on my Lot-o died after 4 months and I'm a little wary of buying a new motor after reading about so many other Lot-o motor failures. Plus, I've literally checked the only 3 sites I can find selling the motor every day for almost 2 months now and no one has had them in stock. I loved the results of the Lot-o. I loved how easy it was to use. I loved how quiet it was (at least for the first month before it started to fail). But I can't replace the motor every 4 months, or even every 12 or 24 months. That's just to quick of a failure rate for me. I think if I can find a replacement motor I'll get it. But if that motor fails (rather quickly - I know it'll fail eventually), I definitely won't get another one. The Mini Sonic MT4 seems like the best alternative. I like that it doesn't have a motor. I can't really find much info on it, but it looks like it uses an electro-magnet to quickly vibrate the big clamp the hopper sits in. I do most of my business with Shawn at the Rock Shed, he recently got a new batch of Lot O motors but told me you can only expect 2 months out of them! I'm doing some checking on a motor that is sold on Amazon, supposed to be able to adapt it to the Lot O. I loved my Lot O, too, really sad to have to replaces it, not to mention $300.00! I think I'll get the Mini Sonic going today, seem like the recipes are similar.
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waterboysh
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2021
Posts: 369
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Post by waterboysh on Jul 27, 2022 8:13:19 GMT -5
I'm doing some checking on a motor that is sold on Amazon, supposed to be able to adapt it to the Lot O. Definitely interested in hearing more about that. Let me know what you find out. I do find it hard to believe that every single motor will only live a very short life or else no one would be buying the Lot-o anymore, but Shawn would definitely know better than me. In the meantime, I've been researching the Mini Sonic a bit more and one thing that concerns me a little is that I've read a comment here or there suggesting it's not as gentle on softer stones as the Lot-o. I wish I had saved some of the threads I found so I could refer to them again, but I'm pretty sure I saw a comment by jamesp saying that it didn't work so well on Obsidian and I have a whole batch of Obsidian to go through soon. I don't have enough rocks going through coarse to make anything with a larger capacity worth it I don't think. The size of the Lot-o and Mini Sonic barrels is perfect.
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Win
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2017
Posts: 336
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Post by Win on Jul 27, 2022 11:39:43 GMT -5
I'm doing some checking on a motor that is sold on Amazon, supposed to be able to adapt it to the Lot O. Definitely interested in hearing more about that. Let me know what you find out. I do find it hard to believe that every single motor will only live a very short life or else no one would be buying the Lot-o anymore, but Shawn would definitely know better than me. In the meantime, I've been researching the Mini Sonic a bit more and one thing that concerns me a little is that I've read a comment here or there suggesting it's not as gentle on softer stones as the Lot-o. I wish I had saved some of the threads I found so I could refer to them again, but I'm pretty sure I saw a comment by jamesp saying that it didn't work so well on Obsidian and I have a whole batch of Obsidian to go through soon. I don't have enough rocks going through coarse to make anything with a larger capacity worth it I don't think. The size of the Lot-o and Mini Sonic barrels is perfect. I'll let you know what I find out, I think it's a job for the mechanically gifted. I'm not, I'll need a friend to help. A friend on FB does a lot of Obsidian and uses a Mini Sonic, exclusively. He gets the best polish I've seen, my Lot O doesn't come close. I'll be trying Obsidian but I've got a few batches ahead of it. I Started the Mini Sonic yesterday with poor results, must have had too large rocks. I'll be trying again, new learning curve.
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jawsjr
starting to shine!
Member since June 2019
Posts: 44
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Post by jawsjr on Aug 1, 2022 9:13:18 GMT -5
I am really not sure why there seems to be so many issues with the Lot-O. I have had mine for well over 3 years and it runs and runs and runs. Absolutely perfect for obsidian. Mine is not aggressive as others are based on the videos of the Lot-Os I have seen, but when it does such an incredible job, I am not going to mess with a good thing.
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hplcman
spending too much on rocks
Just getting into this....
Member since August 2022
Posts: 416
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Post by hplcman on Aug 4, 2022 14:54:55 GMT -5
I am really not sure why there seems to be so many issues with the Lot-O. I have had mine for well over 3 years and it runs and runs and runs. Absolutely perfect for obsidian. Mine is not aggressive as others are based on the videos of the Lot-Os I have seen, but when it does such an incredible job, I am not going to mess with a good thing. From what I understand Lot-O changed motor suppliers a little while ago and they are not as robust as the original motors were. You probably have one of the good ones.
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waterboysh
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2021
Posts: 369
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Post by waterboysh on Sept 7, 2022 11:36:37 GMT -5
I called The Rock Shed yesterday to see if they had any update on the Lot-o motor availability. The guy I spoke with mentioned a motor on Amazon and how it can be attached to the back of the Lot-o frame. He was going to email me some information, but so far hasn't. Were you ever able to find anything out about this route?
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Win
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2017
Posts: 336
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Post by Win on Sept 8, 2022 12:19:01 GMT -5
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malduin
starting to shine!
Member since June 2022
Posts: 29
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Post by malduin on Sept 9, 2022 9:17:14 GMT -5
Any way you could post the pictures of it modded to a Lot O? And which wattage model is recommended?
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Win
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2017
Posts: 336
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Post by Win on Sept 9, 2022 11:25:58 GMT -5
Any way you could post the pictures of it modded to a Lot O? And which wattage model is recommended? It's the 30W one, here are what I got. Not sure this is much of a help.
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waterboysh
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2021
Posts: 369
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Post by waterboysh on Sept 9, 2022 12:46:16 GMT -5
Are those the pictures Shawn sent you? I sent him a followup email but haven't heard back yet. I feel like it's less of a risk for him as a business owner to modify the equipment than it is for me as an individual so I want to know a little bit of what to expect before I try anything like this. I asked about heat generation, tumbling motion, noise levels, and whether they adjusted the counterweights at all or left them in the default location. I also asked if it would be possible for him to share a video of it in action.
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Win
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2017
Posts: 336
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Post by Win on Sept 9, 2022 15:11:42 GMT -5
Yes, that's what he sent me. He stated it would take some mechanical skill to assemble, if I decide to do this, I'll enlist a neighbor that is skilled at improvising.
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ClassicRock
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2022
Posts: 7
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Post by ClassicRock on Dec 15, 2022 0:09:55 GMT -5
Hi Win, I'm new to the forum (hoping I'm posting correctly). A new Lot O was just delivered this week and with all the posts I've read am worried about motor longevity. It sure got hot in a hurry. ( frown ) Wondering if you tried the alternate 30W motor from Amazon and: 1) You mentioned having someone help with installation. Was it successful? 2) Did it work OK? 3) Was 30W enough?
Nice pics from your trip out West BTW!
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 15, 2022 10:32:04 GMT -5
Hi Win, I'm new to the forum (hoping I'm posting correctly). A new Lot O was just delivered this week and with all the posts I've read am worried about motor longevity. It sure got hot in a hurry. ( frown ) Wondering if you tried the alternate 30W motor from Amazon and: 1) You mentioned having someone help with installation. Was it successful? 2) Did it work OK? 3) Was 30W enough? Nice pics from your trip out West BTW! I'm tagging Win for you so he sees your post.
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Win
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2017
Posts: 336
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Post by Win on Dec 15, 2022 13:20:18 GMT -5
Thanks for tagging me! ClassicRock I have not done the conversion, not sure I will. I'll be interested in hearing how yours runs, I don't remember mine getting hot. I'll be giving the Rock Shed a call after the holidays to see if anything has changed. I loved my Lot O, I bought a Mini Sonic and can't seem to get it working as it should. I need to figure that out!
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ClassicRock
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2022
Posts: 7
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Post by ClassicRock on Dec 15, 2022 16:16:27 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback Win I had a Mini-Sonic on (back)order and then saw new Lot-O's for sale on EBay. So I cancelled the Mini and took the plunge. I will definitely keep you in the loop on how things go with the Lot-O. I can touch and hold the motor, but that puppy has hot spots. Hit it with my IR thermometer and it was 112 deg F on most of it but 148 Deg at the hottest spot. Thanks hummingbirdstones !! I'm learning how to use some of these features. I'll get it, eventually!
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