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Post by aDave on Aug 18, 2019 21:29:33 GMT -5
I don't see anything that you're doing wrong. If you suspect that your machine is running slower than normal, I would suspect that is the problem. My polish stage runs just like the other stages. I use 1 TBSP of borax, but I don't remember noticing it running slower than normal before adding borax. Thanks Rob. What about before you add your polish? Is it running any slower before the abrasive is added? That's where I first noticed any sign of an issue. With just water-wetted rocks, they don't move well after the machine is turned on. Add polish, and then all is well until about 20 hours pass (at least that's the way it was with the last batch). The more I go through this (mental) exercise, a phone call to the company is probably in order.
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Post by aDave on Aug 18, 2019 12:21:28 GMT -5
Whether I actually NEED to or not, if my barrels are shut down for any length of time, I clean them out. That way, when they're started up again with everything fresh, I'm in control of the run and know exactly what's going on - I am simply not hoping that things will be okay. Thant's just me.
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Post by aDave on Aug 18, 2019 12:08:49 GMT -5
Geez, Grant. What is the size of the line to your house? That's amazing. I guess I won't complain any longer about the slab leak we had earlier this year. Good luck.
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Post by aDave on Aug 17, 2019 23:31:24 GMT -5
I came across this by accident... I always seemed to over-water by spraying when I first started due to slowing of action. I would unplug, drain with hand over opening, put back in frame, and action would return. Now I turn the barrel. When action slows down, try turning the barrel 90 degrees...without losing contact with the frame. I pick up and pull forward while staying in contact with the front of frame and twist about 90 degrees. I will bet you see better action without adding water. Hope this helps. Jeff A Edit, this is for the Lot-O tumbler... Thanks Jeff. What you do with re-draining the barrel mid-stage is what I do to ensure I haven't over-watered. So far, too-much water does not seem to be an issue, and material is wet. I'll try your 90 degree rotation as well. Thanks.
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Post by aDave on Aug 17, 2019 23:29:07 GMT -5
Have you tried spritzing with water? That's the fix in my UV-10 and my MT4 for slow action. Thanks Tom, but it's not dry. Remember, the first sign of any issue is upon startup of the polish stage when I turn on the Lot-O to add grit. Nothing really moves until the polish is added, then things are fine (normal) for a while. Water makes it worse when well into the stage. I've tried.
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Post by aDave on Aug 17, 2019 12:39:27 GMT -5
I use only 1 TbL borax with any polish or stages except final burnish I use 2. Try that? Perhaps that's something to try - bumping up the Borax dose to 1 TBSP at the start of the polish stage. I cut back to 2/3 TBSP when I started using the Lot-O as it seemed to make things too thick, or so I thought. Maybe that extra goo that is formed with the Borax helps to "grab" the rocks and helps to keep them moving. Don't know, but it can't hurt to try. Thanks.
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Post by aDave on Aug 17, 2019 1:13:32 GMT -5
The variety of color in the material is really nice. I like it. :thumbsup
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Post by aDave on Aug 17, 2019 1:10:36 GMT -5
I picked up a Lot-O in the beginning of the year, and I've probably finished eight or so batches since obtaining it. For the most part, I'm using the "standard" recipe as found here on RTH with just slightly less Borax when called for in stages. Based upon what I've seen on the 'net, I think mine circulates material a bit more slowly than what I've seen in vids, but I haven't gone far enough to move the dowel to speed things up. Nevertheless, I've still gotten good results.
My issue lately is with the polish stage. I've seen others complain about the 120/220 stage being tough to manage, but I'm able to work my way through that. For me, however, the polish stage has been the toughest to keep stuff moving and I couldn't get more than 24 hours in that stage in my last batch.
For the polish stage, I'll load up my barrel and water is drained off appropriately. When I start up the Lot-O, the rocks will barely circulate initially. But, as soon as I add my 1/2 tsp of polish, the contents of the barrel circulate as I would expect. 2 tsp of Borax are then added. No issue here thus far other than stuff not beginning to move until grit is added.
As the 24 hour mark is approached and grit has worn, things REALLY begin to slow down to a creep. Material is still wet and the slurry is not too thick. But, there is almost no circulation of material. With this last batch, I pulled stuff after 24 hours in polish as everything was pretty much standing still and no movement was taking place. Yeah, it was shiny, but with the "short" run in polish, I feel like I'm not getting as much as I can in a finished product.
Has anyone else experienced this? If so, how did you work through it? I think I'm dealing with a (lack of) friction problem, as stuff doesn't really start moving in this stage until I add polish. In a mixed batch of rocks, I'm probably near 30% of mixed ceramics in relation to the rocks. Right now, I'm kind of at a loss in how to extend my polish time, but I've been fighting a losing battle thus far.
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Post by aDave on Aug 17, 2019 0:35:47 GMT -5
I started collecting custom knives in 1988 and have owned at least a couple of hundred. Selling and trading has gotten me a pretty nice collection, as I've aged I've really slowed down. More rocks now than knives! This is why I'm glad I never got into collecting knives, as I don't know what I would do with all of them. I still, however, have the very first "real" knife I bought at 18, a Buck 110 Folding Hunter. Crap, I guess that means it's over 40 years old. It used to be a working knife, but since I had it sharpened by Buck some decades ago, it's been a safe queen to be passed on to my son. I had two other Bucks that I now regret getting rid of that were purchased in the early 1980's. One was a 110 with stag scales and a custom sheath (from Buck), and a Kalinga. Nowadays, I mostly carry a ZT, but certain Spyderco's are backups. One day I'll buy a nice Damascus blade knife. I've always loved the look of the steel, but I've never ventured enough to pull the trigger. In that small sample you showed, you clearly have some really nice pieces. Well done.
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Post by aDave on Aug 16, 2019 12:58:12 GMT -5
I like knives as well, but I've actually managed to temper the urge to get into collecting them. I spend enough money on other things, so I didn't need another drain on the wallet. There are a couple I carry, but I even have some that are still unused and in the box. IMHO, there's nothing like a well crafted knife.
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Post by aDave on Aug 10, 2019 12:29:40 GMT -5
I think MK or Barranca is your best quality. Ukam has been recommended to me by a trusted dealer, they may be my next purchase. He says they are made by the same Korean mfr. as MK/Barranca. www.ukam.com/lapidaryblades.htm Thanks for the heads up on this, Lee. This place is not too far from my house, and I'm in their area often. I'm betting a visit is in the near future, even though I'm just using a tile saw to trim down rough. I'd like to hear what they say and what they might recommend for what I'm doing. If this isn't the place to go to, I'll give the MK 225 a shot next time around.
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Post by aDave on Aug 8, 2019 1:45:41 GMT -5
Robin and I got our box on Saturday.
Looks good, and the two bonus pieces have some incredibly deep color. We'd never seen that rough in person before.
Thank you! Got mine today. USPS decided to take the long way around, and they delayed it a few days. I got goodies too, and some just went into the tumbler. The flint looks great. I may have to put some to the saw to size down, but that's on me. El JeffA was an absolute pleasure to deal with. Thanks Jeff!
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Post by aDave on Aug 7, 2019 1:17:30 GMT -5
Wow, where to start. I'll preface this by saying I probably won't have a good answer for you. But, that said, I don't think it's overkill at all for you to get a 4WD, especially if you plan on going back to MN. Even without the winter weather, the fact you may be going off-road would warrant a 4WD vehicle, IMHO. For me, simply by having to deal with snow and ice would add the need for a 4WD pickup...if that's the type of vehicle you're looking to own. I'm on my third 4WD pickup. Over the years, I have owned an '83 Toyota, an '88 extra cab Ford Ranger, and, now, a full-size GMC Sierra crew cab (which I absolutely love, BTW). Some might consider my truck overkill, but I've absolutely loved it by having 4WD when I need it. Don't know where I'd be if I needed it and didn't have it. When compared to Toyota, a GMC or Chevy (Canyon or Colorado) will not be as expensive for what is offered. For some reason, Toyotas still hold their value which make them more expensive when buying used. FWI, having also been a Nissan truck owner, I'd just stay away from them...period. GM makes great trucks, and there's no reason to steer away from them. Since you are by yourself, make the decision about what body style you're looking for (extra cab or crew-cab) and go from there. It sounds like you might be in the market for a mid-sized truck, so your $20K will go alot further. Frankly, it won't be alot further as trucks are expensive. But, you'll still do better with a mid size truck over full size. As far as an actual "off-road" package, that may not be necessary depending what is offered with a vehicle with that label. In many instances, all that means is heavier duty shocks and springs, but you still get 4x4. If you are not whomping over heavy bumps and ruts, and you're simply driving in areas where 4WD traction is a benefit, you might be OK with just the basic four wheel drive package. If you want to find out about issues with particular vehicles, go to the forums. Keep in mind that the amount of complaints are probably far outweighed by folks who have no issues whatsoever. I visit www.gm-trucks.com/ to learn about issues with my particular truck. I don't know the good forums for Toyotas and their issues. As I said, I knew I wouldn't have a good answer for you, but I hope I can give you a start. Unfortunately, you're going to have to do a bunch research. Hope this helps some.
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Post by aDave on Aug 7, 2019 0:14:39 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum. Not meaning to rain on your Lot-O purchase at all (I, as well as many others here have one), just consider that it's not the best tool for handling rough rock in the first stage. For that, get a rotary unless you plan on tumbling absolutely smooth beach rocks and don't care about removing all imperfections. If you hadn't considered that, please head to the tumbling forum to express your needs. You'll get plenty of help and advice about which rotary to get for the coarse stage - of course, based on needs and budget. If you already know this, simply disregard my message. Welcome nonetheless.
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Post by aDave on Aug 1, 2019 20:10:11 GMT -5
Just curious, I have read things like " 2 days in polish" for the Lot-O. Is that 2 full days - 48 hours, or 2 14-15 hour days. I don't run my Mini-Sonic or my Rockette at night or when I am away for more than a couple hours. So it might take be 3 to 4 days to get 48 hours. Just looking for a comparison. Thanks Henry I have interpreted the said instruction to be two days, 48 hours. That seems to work for me.
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Post by aDave on Jul 31, 2019 23:58:14 GMT -5
Shoot, I didn't mention a box. Since Grant too those two, I'll take box 5. The PM is inbound. You’re first. Choose whatever you want Grant, I'm good. I already chose an alternate box. Stick to what you picked. Box 5 is the one I chose. I appreciate the acquiescence nonetheless.
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Post by aDave on Jul 31, 2019 23:54:00 GMT -5
mohs and aDave -- Bummer. There's always next year or anytime you want to come on up! Robin, while wei'll probably miss the show, we'll definitely let you know when we come back into the are to visit. Not sure when that will be, but we'll contact you nonetheless.
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Post by aDave on Jul 31, 2019 22:21:35 GMT -5
Shoot, I didn't mention a box. Since Grant too those two, I'll take box 5. The PM is inbound.
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Post by aDave on Jul 31, 2019 21:24:40 GMT -5
Count me in for a MFRB. Send me your Paypal email in PM. As soon as I see it, you'll get the payment. Thank you very much.
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Post by aDave on Jul 31, 2019 21:19:42 GMT -5
Crap. As much as we're overdue to get to your neck of the woods, it's probably not going to happen. Pisses me off in one sense. Still looking to relocate to your region. But, we have other things going on here at home and can't make the trip to Prescott...again.
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