hornseeker
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 268
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Post by hornseeker on Oct 1, 2014 12:28:40 GMT -5
Anyone??
Thank you!!
;0)
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Oct 1, 2014 14:10:21 GMT -5
Keep in mind that the double lot-o can only be run when both barrels are full. Its not the cheapest option but I went with two separate lot-o units so I can run smaller loads when I do not have enough rock ready to fill both. I rarely run both at the same time but I run at least one at all times. The other great option when you have some extra cash is to get two extra barrels to go with the two lot-o units. This gives you 4 barrels which means no more barrel washing.
I rough tumble at least 20-30 pounds in rotaries at all times and a single lot-o has no problem keeping up with that. When I have all 60-70 pounds going in my rotaries the two loto units keep up no problem.
Chuck
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 1, 2014 16:19:32 GMT -5
And I'll chime in for the UV10.
I love it, it's great.
I can run 10# at once, or any smaller amount by using ceramic media as filler.
The only issue I've had with it is the threaded rod gets grit on it and wears out, I've replaced it once in 2.5 years and it cost a dollar.
Bear in mind as well that you *must* mount the Lot-O on a block or something solid. It's beyond me why you can't buy it ready to use but that was enough of a deal breaker for me, although that is a one-time issue.
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hornseeker
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 268
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Post by hornseeker on Oct 2, 2014 9:54:40 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses... To solve double barrel issue Drummond, couldn't I just put some random gravel in the one side... ??with no grit or anything? Then, when I'm polishing I can be rough grinding in the other side...?
Herch... are you using the UV-10 for rough and polish? Or do you run a rotary also? If you do run it for both, you have two separate barrels??
THanks! One of these is getting ordered this week... I have about 50 pounds of Ystone agate and 100 pounds of wood that need to get polished up!!! cant wait!
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 2, 2014 9:59:21 GMT -5
I (most of us) use a rotary for rough rock.
After a sufficient amount of stone is completely smooth (Crack and pit free) you load the vibe. 2 days in 120/220 SiC, clean out 2 more days in 120/220, clean out 2 more days in 500
Now clean out and use a separate vibe barrel that you only ever use for polish.
This practice (dedicated polish barrel) is recommended of how you get to polish, rotary or vibe.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 2, 2014 10:02:10 GMT -5
You can put rough rock in the vibe but you shouldn't use coarse grit (60/90) in a vibe, and the result will be different than using a rotary.
A rotary will round off your rock, a vibe will keep the basic shape of whatever you put in but make it shiny.
I'll occasionally put a slab or pet wood or some relatively smooth stone directly in the vibe just to get it shiny, but the vast majority starts out in the rotary.
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hornseeker
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 268
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Post by hornseeker on Oct 2, 2014 10:45:02 GMT -5
So, why not put rough in the vibe with 60? Thanks for all the info!
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 2, 2014 10:58:38 GMT -5
it is too aggressive the manufacturer does not recommend it
you will chew your barrel up
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Post by captbob on Oct 2, 2014 11:23:53 GMT -5
John Hornseeker, From your Getting Started Tumbling thread forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/65567/started-tumblingI'm guessing that you don't have any tumblers yet. ? You mentioned there being willing to spend $200 - 400 to get your set up started. If that's still the case, I would go with a rotary first - as was recommended by most everyone on that thread. Then get a vibe later, if you still want one. Everything you want to do can be done with a rotary, BUT not everything can be done with a vibe. Don't try to run before you learn how to walk!
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hornseeker
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 268
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Post by hornseeker on Oct 2, 2014 11:25:31 GMT -5
Thanks for digging that up Capt. Bob...
Ill go take a look at it!! Life happens... tumbling prospects fell to the back burner for a bit, but Ive got money in hand now!!
Thanks
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 2, 2014 11:48:54 GMT -5
I would recommend either the Thumlers Model B which is a 15# rotary, or the Lortone QT12 (or QT66 - same capacity - one 12# barrel versus 2 6# barrels) and either the Lot-O or the UV10 Get some ceramic media in either case as well, it is important to have filler - I use it mostly in the vibe but if I lack a lot of smaller stones in the rough tumble I will add it there as well. Thumlers Model B is $192 here (these guys are great): therockshed.com/tumbler2.htmlLortone QT models are here for $189 or $174 depending on model: therockshed.com/tumbler4.htmlCeramic media is here, I would only get the large ceramics, the tiny ones wear away pretty fast and end up being more of a nuisance than anything, 5# is $17.50 - I'd get 10# myself: therockshed.com/grit2.html#CeramicSingle barrel lot-0 is $182 here, they are out of the double barrel at the moment: therockshed.com/tumbler1.htmlHere is the UV10 **Industrial** (very important, if you buy the lighter duty one somewhere it isn't for rocks) for $215: therockshed.com/tumbler3.htmlIf you order from therockshed look at their tumbling rough and try to take advantage of the deals on grit when you buy rough or tumblers, you can save some cash. If I were getting started and I had $400 I would buy the Thumlers Model B, ceramic media, get a bunch of grit on sale (look for the larger quantities of 60/90) and spend the rest on as much rough as I could afford (their Bahia agates are a lot of fun to tumble) In a few months, if I had another $400 I would buy the UV10 (personally - a spare polish barrel, and repeat the grit and rock purchase but getting the 120/220, 500 and AO polish for the vibe. Good Luck!
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hornseeker
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 268
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Post by hornseeker on Oct 2, 2014 12:15:15 GMT -5
I have a shopping cart started at the shed... Thanks for all the advice Herch... I had the QT66 in the cart and was considering an extra barrel, the 12# one... Will the 12# barrel give me a lot more options for bigger pieces? Probably huh. I like the idea of the two small barrels... Do you think the model B is a lot more heavy duty than the AR-12? Or the Lortones for that matter? It does have that heavy duty look!
Finally... for starters, does it matter if I buy silicone carbide or aluminum oxide?? for my first runs! I am just thinking 20# of each of the grits... that will get me near my price point with the $190 tumbler... and shipping.
Thanks again!
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Post by captbob on Oct 2, 2014 12:18:01 GMT -5
First off, I too recommend the Rock Shed - I received a couple mints and tootsie rolls just yesterday! But, they don't have the best prices on everything (read:tumblers) shop around. Google and half an hour can probably save you a surprising amount.
I also recommend the Thumler's Model B (15 pound barrel) tumbler - I have 3 of them myself. BUT (again!) they require a lot of rock to keep well fed. IF you are going to be tumbling in that kinda bulk, go for it - it's a great tumbler! DON'T buy a Thumler's A-R6 - their 9 pound capacity model. just sayin'...
Personally, (just starting out and you KNOW you won't lose interest in 6 months) with your budget I would go with the Lortone QT 66 with it's two 6 lb barrels and all the associated supplies. You do two 6 pound loads and you'll probably have enough to move on with 6 pounds in the finer/polish stages. Then you should be able to keep up running rough in one barrel and finer grits in another. Having a dedicated polish barrel (or even better, an entire dedicated tumbler) isn't a bad idea down the road, but we're on a budget here!
I'd hold off on a vibe until I've done a couple loads and know this is something I'm gonna stick with.
I would add plastic pellets to John's list of supplies, but that's just me - not everyone uses them.
Edited to add because we were typing at the same time-
Get silicone carbide grit up to 500 then aluminum oxide - I have both in 500 for different rocks, but let's not get crazy right off the bat!
The 12 lb barrel is a great idea if you can swing it! Not necessary tho. Yes, of course you can do bigger rocks in one. It can also wait...
Model B is more heavy duty, but read above.
Get more coarse grit than fine grits - you'll understand soon!
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hornseeker
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 268
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Post by hornseeker on Oct 2, 2014 12:21:59 GMT -5
So... if you were to do it over, you would get the 12# model B instead of the QT-66 that has the option to use a 12# barrel?
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Post by captbob on Oct 2, 2014 12:23:56 GMT -5
The Thumler's Model B is 15 pounds. I knew what I was going to do so went with them. I'm trying to deal with your budget.
I like Thumler's and have never used Lortone. Lortone wouldn't still be in business if they didn't sell a quality product tho. Again, just thinking of the most bang for your buck here.
AND have you shopped around? Probably only talking 20 bucks you might save, so if your time is more important, the Rock Shed is a good place to buy!
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hornseeker
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 268
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Post by hornseeker on Oct 2, 2014 12:25:29 GMT -5
Capt...that last comment was directed at John.
Thanks again for your response. I am not sure what 15# of rock looks like. I do know this, in a matter of 1/2 hour I can go to the river and pick up 15# of material. It may not be agate or wood, but it will be polishable rock. SO... I think i can always fill one. ugh... I hate making these little decisions! I like the two barrel option...
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Post by captbob on Oct 2, 2014 12:32:50 GMT -5
WHAT do you want to spend TODAY? and... you don't put 15 (or 12 or 6) pounds of rock in the barrel. That weight includes the water and grit. I'll go find a pic of what can go in a Model B 15 pounder -BRB This could run in a 15 pound barrel this could in a 12 pounder, but I'd probably use a 15 for it too You can get quite a bit in either 12 or 15 don't make that your only concern.
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hornseeker
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 268
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Post by hornseeker on Oct 2, 2014 12:36:41 GMT -5
Can you show me what plastic pellets you buy?
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hornseeker
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 268
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Post by hornseeker on Oct 2, 2014 12:40:36 GMT -5
I dont want to spend over $350... right now with the qt66 or the Model B... and 5# of grit of each... 120/222, 500, 1000 and polish... with shipping, Im at 282. I would't be scared to add the 12# barrel to that order for the QT. not real interested in buying rough, cause i have TONS of stuff... especially pet wood and agate, that needs to be run...
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hornseeker
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 268
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Post by hornseeker on Oct 2, 2014 12:41:17 GMT -5
that rough is beautiful... wow
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