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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Apr 23, 2016 19:14:29 GMT -5
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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 23, 2016 19:17:53 GMT -5
It's hard to tell from pictures, but they all look about equally shiny. I love that crazy lace!
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Apr 23, 2016 19:24:56 GMT -5
It's hard to tell from pictures, but they all look about equally shiny. I love that crazy lace! I think the mini-sonic left something to be desired but then again that was my first try so it could be my fault. The rotary tumble was surprisingly shiny but that batch was all easy to polish agates and jaspers. No surprises with batch number 170(ish) in the lot-o. Chuck
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rastageezer
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2013
Posts: 169
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Post by rastageezer on Apr 23, 2016 20:50:34 GMT -5
Hey Chuck how long do you usually let rocks like Montana, Rio, Lakers run in the polish stage with the Loto?
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cardiobill
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 879
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Post by cardiobill on Apr 23, 2016 21:21:20 GMT -5
Cool experiment Chuck I'm with Rob- I can't tell a difference from pics I have wondered the exact same thing re: all rotary vs rotary/vibe Cool experiment Thanks for sharing
Bill
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Post by Garage Rocker on Apr 23, 2016 22:26:03 GMT -5
All are outstanding. Maybe you can see a difference in person, but splitting hairs from this viewpoint. Super shine!
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Post by orrum on Apr 24, 2016 6:25:29 GMT -5
X3 Rob, can't tell a diff. However I defer to u Chuvk because in person is more accurate plus u da man!
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Post by washingtonrocks on Apr 24, 2016 8:01:32 GMT -5
I have a mini-sonic too, but have only ever used it for prepolish and polish for which it does an amazing job. Never tried using it with the coarser grit. Maybe I should give it a go. It's a noisey little bugger, but it sure makes quick work with the dry polish.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Apr 24, 2016 8:31:18 GMT -5
I have a mini-sonic too, but have only ever used it for prepolish and polish for which it does an amazing job. Never tried using it with the coarser grit. Maybe I should give it a go. It's a noisey little bugger, but it sure makes quick work with the dry polish. I rotary tumbled in 46/70 then went to the mini-sonic for 120 through polish. Do you have the instructions for the mini sonic? I was wondering how much grit is recommended for each stage. I just used the same amount that I use in my lot-o Chuck
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 24, 2016 8:55:32 GMT -5
The rotary and Lot-o has a better shine than the sonic...in my opinion of course.....NICE!
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Post by washingtonrocks on Apr 24, 2016 9:00:27 GMT -5
The original instructions didn't come with mine either, but I found a pdf file online from the manufacturer with all the recommendations. I'll pull it up and give you the file.
Generally, I've used just enough polish to be seen in between my rocks near the top. Not quite covering them, but close. I think the recommendations call for a little more than what I use, but I've always had really nice results from the amount I use. I'll find that file for you.
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Post by washingtonrocks on Apr 24, 2016 9:12:39 GMT -5
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Apr 24, 2016 9:41:42 GMT -5
Thanks. That is perfect. I'll print those out. I only used about half of what is recommended for 500 and for polish so maybe next time will be an improvement. I don't think it is much louder than the loto but it is a different noise and my wife don't like it much. Chuck
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Post by washingtonrocks on Apr 24, 2016 10:07:31 GMT -5
I'm glad that will be useful for you. Please post your results after you've had the chance to run a batch!
Yes, it's not so much the volume of the noise as much as it is the kind of noise it is. I've located the main trouble maker (I think) as being the little metal pin that secures the rubber tie-down to the saddle that holds the hopper. The noise isn't bad at all when the speed is on low, but when it's turned up to medium or high that thing makes a real ugly sound that seams to just get worse the longer it runs...have to figure out a way to keep that annoying little pin from rattling somehow!
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Post by oregon on Apr 24, 2016 10:34:58 GMT -5
Do you have an equivalent closeup for the minisonic?
Agreed, hard to judge from the screen, trust your in person comparison better.
Curious, can you compare the time to tumble, and maybe the current draw of the three machines? All look to be 4 lb'rs..
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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 24, 2016 11:50:18 GMT -5
I have a mini-sonic too, but have only ever used it for prepolish and polish for which it does an amazing job. Never tried using it with the coarser grit. Maybe I should give it a go. It's a noisey little bugger, but it sure makes quick work with the dry polish. Are you using Vibra-dry? I've been dry tumbling Petoskey stones in my Lot-O with corn cob media and regular aluminum oxide polish from the Rock Shed. I'm not sure what Vibra-dry is exactly. Is it just a polish like aluminum oxide or does it include something like corn cob? Can it be reused?
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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 24, 2016 11:56:03 GMT -5
I just partially answered my own question. These instructions say that it is reusable, but doesn't say how many times. The mix appears to have corn cob, rice and stainless steel in it. Weird.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Apr 24, 2016 15:04:23 GMT -5
I'm glad that will be useful for you. Please post your results after you've had the chance to run a batch! Yes, it's not so much the volume of the noise as much as it is the kind of noise it is. I've located the main trouble maker (I think) as being the little metal pin that secures the rubber tie-down to the saddle that holds the hopper. The noise isn't bad at all when the speed is on low, but when it's turned up to medium or high that thing makes a real ugly sound that seams to just get worse the longer it runs...have to figure out a way to keep that annoying little pin from rattling somehow! When I first got mine it was really noisy but it seemed like the barrel fit in the cradle loosely so I folded up a piece of paper towel to put between the barrel and cradle and that helped a bunch. Chuck
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Apr 24, 2016 15:08:16 GMT -5
I just partially answered my own question. These instructions say that it is reusable, but doesn't say how many times. The mix appears to have corn cob, rice and stainless steel in it. Weird. I have read about the vibra-dry but it seems like a whole new can of worms. Not enough time in the day for all the experimenting that could be done. The loto does a great job on 99% of the stones I tumble with very little effort. Chuck
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es355lucille
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2016
Posts: 194
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Post by es355lucille on Apr 24, 2016 15:16:43 GMT -5
Really nice Chuck! All batches. The lot-o batch looks really glassy.....
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