johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 20, 2016 17:24:19 GMT -5
I'm about to start my first Lot-O tumble. It's in the garage for now and not quite 100% level. What is the best way to make the cement block/vibe totally level… shims?
Thanks, John
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 20, 2016 16:25:48 GMT -5
I am far from an experienced tumbler (about 4 months into it), but I would say at least "recharge" your load with some more grit. If the slurry feels very gritty, add a little more fresh grit. If you barely feel any grit at all, add what you originally put in at the beginning. I like to reuse my slurry, but others like to start over with fresh grit and water. Hope this answers your question.
If you haven't already, I would highly recommend reading the tutorial posts at the top of this section.
Good luck with your first tumble! John
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 20, 2016 10:54:08 GMT -5
I was thinking of mounting a vibrator on a rotary tumbler to see what would happen but maybe someone here has already tried it? What would the upside/downside be to such a tumbler? My wife read your post, went to her closet to get something and then headed right to the basement. I haven't seen her for hours. All kidding aside, I suggest that you use the term "vibe" (short for vibratory). Calling them a vibrator will get you a lot of smart ass remarks, like mine above.
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 19, 2016 20:41:01 GMT -5
Here are pics of my prepping the base for the Lot-O. I know it's a boring post, but I'm bored and thought I'd share my prep. Not sure where I'm going to keep it, but probably in the garage or basement. Question… I've read that you shouldn't put a rock bigger than 1¼" in the Lot-O. Is that true? If so, I'm going to be pretty upset. I'm currently tumbling a few rocks that are nearly 2" for weeks now in Stage 1. Filling with cement
Full [/URL
Primer [/UR
Black latex paint [/URL
Epoxy filled in hole (thanks for the tip, Jugglerguy)
Final product
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 19, 2016 19:11:19 GMT -5
Cheapest price on grit? Where? There are millions of places on the web to buy grit. Being new to tumbling I have found the cheapest place to buy grit. I have started keeping track of the cost and weight and size on excel. But I need some grit, all 4stages and don't have much data for comparison. 36 grit - $2.25# plus postage from me. No other sizes available! I've never used 36, but have been wanting to try it out. Is it faster than 36/70? Should it only be used on certain types (hardness) of rocks? Either way, I'd like to buy a pound or two. Please send me your info, thanks.
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 19, 2016 18:05:32 GMT -5
I'm also new to tumbling and about 2 weeks ago I got a pretty nasty injury while breaking down rocks. Besides safety glasses, definitely wear gloves and put the rock(s) in an old t-shirt, denim, etc. About two weeks ago, while breaking up some Turritella (without gloves), a shard of it broke off and became lodged into my finger. The pain wasn't too bad at the time, but anytime I even slightly bumped that finger into something, the pain was blinding. I don't know why it hurt so much, but I'm guessing it hit bone and bruised it (or maybe even chipped a bit of bone off). It's finally feeling better after nearly two weeks.
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 18, 2016 20:30:23 GMT -5
I'm a perfectionist, to a fault. I slightly bent the front/right spring and it doesn't have the same curvature as the front/left spring now. Am I being too critical? How important is it to have the springs in perfect condition/shape for the Lot-O? As always, any info/advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, John
Omg Under tension the bend is nothing. Use it! Or Prove me wrong. Good to know, Shotgunner. Thanks!
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 18, 2016 20:03:39 GMT -5
Hmm, could you flip the spring over and use it that way?....against the "bend"? Which one bent, one of the ones over the dowel? I forgot about the hole in the bottom of the barrels. I bought my Lot-O used and the guy that sold it to me had already filled them. Can ya get a picture of it? I'm a perfectionist, to a fault. I slightly bent the front/right spring and it doesn't have the same curvature as the front/left spring now. Am I being too critical? How important is it to have the springs in perfect condition/shape for the Lot-O? As always, any info/advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, John
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
|
Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 18, 2016 16:10:34 GMT -5
And…….. I broke it already, before even using it. Being the dummy that I am, I shoved the barrel in before reading the instructions and bent a spring. Just got done ordering a set of new springs. Ugh.
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 18, 2016 15:15:36 GMT -5
While you're waiting for that first batch to get through the rough tumble, you might want to fill the hole in the bottom of the Lot-O barrel with epoxy. I twirled some epoxy on the end of a small stick of wood and lowered it in the barrel and let it drip off. I've never had to redo it. If you don't fill the hole, ceramic piceces are always getting stuck in there. Thanks for the tip, Jugglerguy! I never would have noticed it until after my first clean out. I bought two extra barrels so I can have one dedicated for each stage. I bought one epoxy kit and it was more than enough to fill all three barrel holes, and then some. Once again, thank you for the great advice and saving me from future aggravation. John
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 17, 2016 23:01:50 GMT -5
Well, since you're waiting on your load to come out of the rotary you *could* put some rough in there and tinker with polishing natural shaped rocks. You may not get eye-blinding polish on the rocks (or you might!) but you will get some experience and get to play with your new toy tool. Just a thought.... Great idea, Ed… Im going to do just that this weekend! Awesome suggestion, thanks! I like the idea of stacking blocks to make it easier on the back, but with a curious 8 year old rockhound, I'll feel better keeping it as close to the floor as possible.
As far as noise goes, I like your inner tube idea. I've read that a 1" thick piece of styrofoam used as a base works well, but that has to lessen the efficacy of the vibe. Like you said, "get some experience and play with your new toy tool". It's a good thing that I actually like taking detailed notes.
Once again, thank you for the ideas! John
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 17, 2016 21:25:59 GMT -5
Received the new Lot-O today! Went to Home Depot and got a cement block, cement to fill the block and some heavy-duty adhesive to anchor it down. Just wish I had 4lbs of Stage 1 rocks done and ready for my new vibe. That will probably take another month or so I guess that will give me plenty of time to do (more) research, reading tips & tricks, etc.
Next purchase(s)… diamond wheel grinder/saw combo and a 12lb Lortone (but if I want to stay married, those will have to wait awhile).
Rock on! John
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 15, 2016 22:27:01 GMT -5
Social experiment… I bet my new "headline" will get a lot more views/responses now.
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 15, 2016 16:35:57 GMT -5
Thanks guys, great info!
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 14, 2016 23:25:36 GMT -5
The new ones that are made by barranca diamond remind me of that old viking design. What RPM is the viking barrel turning at? My Slik brand incline is turning at 42. I'll try to get a video this weekend www.barrancadiamond.com/lap/plm_br6.htmlChuck My wife recently purchased something that looks like this. And we've been sleeping is separate beds ever since
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
|
Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 14, 2016 23:21:36 GMT -5
Please stop with these ridiculous posts… I will now go back to my 33B and await my new Lot-O. Jeesh!
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 14, 2016 23:07:02 GMT -5
I'm gonna guess that it's your Coquina Jasper turning your slurry red and frothy. Coquina Jasper is actually a limestone with fossil shells embedded in it. It is pretty soft on the Mohs scale, like maybe a 3-4. Limestone would explain the frothy part. Your Leopard Jasper, are you meaning leopardskin jasper? (I've never heard of just leopard jasper) If so, that's actually a rhyolite, but most folks call it jasper. Much harder than your Coquina Jasper more like a 6-7 Mohs hardness. Not so sure these rocks are going to tumble well together. That Coquina Jasper is going to wear down much faster. Can't help with the Turritella, I have a bunch but haven't played with it yet. Keep the smalls in the tumbler unless you want to save them before they wear away. If you remove them, other smalls ought to be added. The eBay seller I bought the "Leopard Jasper" from called it just that. After a quick Google search, I found that it is more commonly called "Leopardskin Jasper"… thank you for that info. As for the Mohs scale, the Leopardskin Jasper is actually wearing down MUCH FASTER than the Coquina. After 2 weeks of 46/70, Ive removed about a dozen Leopardskin for Stage 2 and zero Coquina. Get tumbling on your Turritella… that stuff is fascinating (but takes forever and a day). And I will start ignoring the ¼" rule Ive been reading… you guys are the best! Thank you!
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
|
Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 14, 2016 22:43:55 GMT -5
I've never read that you should move rocks smaller that 1/4 inch. I always leave my smalls in until they disappear. I've never tumbled any of the stuff you listed, so I can't help with them. Are you checking your barrels more than once a week? I only open mine at the weekly clean out time. My Lortone instruction manual says to discard anything smaller than ¼" and so does the "Modern Rock Tumbling" book. I check them every 4-5 days. Mostly because I'm a still a curious newbie, but also because I sometimes find that the grit is completely spent after 4-5 days. Turritella looks AMAZING when properly tumbled and polished, it's my newest favorite rock! It's made of 40-60 million year old sea snail shells that once were in a salt water lake in western North America.
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 14, 2016 20:59:15 GMT -5
Hello all,
Every time I check on a Stage 1 barrel, I find myself thinking of new questions to ask you all. Here are my latest..
- I recently started tumbling Coquina Jasper and Leopard Jasper. Which one, or both, are turning my slurry into a dark red color and extremely frothy?
- I also started tumbling Turritella in a separate barrel. The MOHS scales says 6.5 - 7, but it seems much harder than that. After nearly 2 weeks of 46/70, they have barely changed at all. Is that typical of this rock?
- Lastly, everything I have read says to remove any rocks smaller than a ¼" in each stage. How important is that, especially for Stage 1? I was thinking the tiny rocks (smaller than a ¼") would be good for Stage 1?
Thanks for any and all input! John
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 14, 2016 18:08:04 GMT -5
Ah, the young and naive....there's no statute of limitations in regards to being banished to the doghouse. Even ten years from now, they will find something out where you "erred" and suddenly the pot roast, mashed potatoes, and ladyfinger peas turn into rice cakes and lukewarm unsweetened tea. Not to mention that sweet, loving look from her turning into the stare you see in a cats eyes as it toys with a mouse that's about half-dead. Just sayin'.... Oh...and they *don't* forget!!!!!! Not so young and naive… been married over 20 years. We try not to be in the same room at the same time.
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