Should You Buy a Rotary or Vibratory Tumbler?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 เม.ย. 2024
- Buying a tumbler? Confused about whether you should buy a rotary or vibratory tumbler? Let me help you with that decision. Don't miss my review of the Lot-O tumbler: • The Lot-O Used To Be M...
Thanks to Christina Jelinek for editing the closed captions for this video.
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I was just looking online for my first tumbler like two hours ago, and wondered exactly what difference between the two was! This video is a blessing, thank you!
I'm here for you, Josais!
I buy then check Consumer Reports after. Lol. I just ordered a vibratory. I want to polish junk silver and foreign coins and turn them into jewelry pins. I live in central Illinois and any roxks around here are under 10 inches of some of the finest topsoil in the world.
4:12 ya, I personally like littler "imperfections" as long as the rest of the rock is glassy shiny smooth. It's more of a little universe in there and points of interest besides the colors. Plus, you see WAY many more perfectly smooth ones at rock shops, small town jewelry shops, and online. Just seems so much more common, and therefore a little boring to me personally. Those one you have above at the timestamp I listed are gorgeous and a perfect example.
I'm on the other side of continuum and prefer them really smooth. I sure can see how other people prefer them the way you do though. The nice thing about doing your own rocks, is that you can do them just they way you like.
@@MichiganRocks i dunno why but i appreciate your pointing out it's just a preference. I'm in the same boat as Charles, partly because my grandma had bin after bin after bin of perfect agates and other stones she had tumbled to glass finishes.
Naw, i take it back, i do know why... it's because you aren't gatekeeping and telling us what everybody should be trying to accomplish.
Thanks for just telling us how it is; this is super helpful.
My four year old daughter is very interested in rocks and I have been curious about getting into rock tumbling with her. This video (and many of your others) have been really helpful for someone just looking to get started. You are very good at giving clear, concise, easy to follow information. I can tell you were a teacher! Thank you!
I'm glad I could help you out. If you have any more questions, just ask.
Rob, one of the most comprehensive reviews I’ve ever seen. Well done. Like you I started with the 33b and got a vibratory after a few years, now I do step 1 in the 33b and finish in the vibratory. The cross shape explanation is fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Jeff. I actually didn't finish my first batch in the 33B before buying a Lot-O. I rationalized the purchase with the savings in grit. I'm not sure I have saved enough grit to pay for a Lot-O, but it has to be close by this time.
I love my rotary and now that I have your "recipe"! Need to get a vibratory...to tumble some of my cut out designs. You are a great teacher!
Thanks, Patricia.
Just wanted to thank you Rob for this video. I just got my new Lot O Tumbler 3 days ago and I was having the same issue of not tumbling very fast. I didn't even get to finish this video before tearing mine apart and moving the dowl to 2 cm. I tell you what.... that made a night and day difference. Tumbler up and running now so back to the video to finish watching. Thanks SO MUCH!
Someone else commented that they moved their dowel and now they keep breaking springs. I have only run one batch through my new Lot-O so I don't know if the new one will hold up or not. I just thought I'd give you a heads up that it might be a problem.
Thank you for doing these videos Rob! They are very informative and a great help to those of us just starting out. My friend and I managed to snag a vibratory tumbler each at Princess Auto for $85 taxes included. To get her started with tumbling, I shared your videos and she said they have been a godsend! Have a great weekend and hello to Nancy!
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if that's the metal tumbler I just saw on their site, it probably won't hold up to tumbling rocks. Metal tumblers are made for tumbling in dry media. They're not designed for the weight of wet rocks and media.
That would explain why my friend has already had to have them replace hers as the lid lip busted off. She's had pretty good luck with it otherwise. I did chuckle that they were promoting it for rock tumbling, but my hubby insisted on buying it for the kids (his money so I let him buy it lol)
@@angef9687 If they were selling it as a rock tumbler, than they should stand behind it if rocks break it.
I really like the objectivity in the way you compare the actions and results of the two machines
Thanks.
Been tumbling for a year and boy, this is the BEST video ever!!!! Thanks Rob!!
I’m glad you liked it so much! Thanks, Elizabeth.
Great demo and explanation video Rob. I have a double 3 lb and a 15 lb rotary but my next purchase is definitely going to be a vibratory tumbler now. After seeing how quickly yours goes through the last stages I'm in love, plus it's best for shapes and thinner slabs. I want to make us some wind chimes from our MT agates and use the vibratory to polish the slabs so they don't crack & break. Thanks for another awesome video and for teaching us so many helpful and cool things!✌🤠
You're welcome, Kyla. From your comment, I think you understand the benefits of a vibratory tumbler.
Yes I totally agree that the vibratory tumblers are best for small slabs yet I recommend adding plastic pellets to help keep the slabs safe from breakage
Fantastic tutorial!The visuals make it even better! I agree about the pudding stones
Glad you liked it, Obie!
Excellent job reviewing the equipment and materials for use.
I appreciate your insight and advice.
I'm glad you found it helpful!
Great video! I've been looking into getting my first tumbler this year and it was helpful to learn about the main differences. Thanks!
That was the idea, so I'm glad it was helpful.
As before very informative! I like the fact that you use both! I have the NatGeo tumbler plus a loretone two barrel and a Harbor Freight tumbler (2 barrel)! I just got a flat lap for Christmas last year! I really liked the ornaments you make, they are awesome! You have helped me realize what to do when polishing rocks at all stages and I use your methods most! Thanks for sharing Rob!
Now you just need a Lot-O to complete your fleet of tumblers.
Now to convince the wife! Hhmmmmm!😂😂
@@brianholcomb940 Good luck! I told my wife that it would save money on grit. Worked for me.
😂😂😂😂
This is an excellent info-tutorial. Concise and instructive. Brought out the teacher in you. Your students must have loved you.
Some did, some didn't. You can't please everyone.
Thank you for the side by side demo. I have a few rotary tumblers. Like you i started cutting designs. Was thinking about a vibratory for those. Now seeing the difference in finished pieces there's no question.
Yep, vibratory tumblers are great for keeping the original shape. I was glad to be able to show it here rather than just explain that to everyone who asked. A picture really is worth a thousand words.
Yes that is true about pics. I have a vibratory on the way. Thanks
Thanks for the info. Been collecting rocks for years and thinking about getting into tumbling. This video will definitely help me make my choice.
Mike
I’m glad to help, Mike.
I appreciate your advice to buy both styles. They both have advantages. 🙂
Yes, I really enjoy having both.
Excellent points. Thumbs up on concise differences. I'm baby-stepping my 5th day with a giant 1lb tumbler : ) in my garage. I will say with the 1lb sound is somewhat soothing, especially after the 1st day. Thanks again.
Don't hurt your back emptying that barrel! The smallest barrel I've used is the National Geographic two pound barrel, but it's about the same size as my Lortone three pound barrels.
Excellent info, I feel confident in my choice now. Thank you!
Very informative especially to those who are just starting a project! Thank you very much for this post! 👍🙏
You're welcome!
Awesome video Rob, great information, changed my world on tumblers today! I had no idea, thank you. Sorry Nancy that you and my wife have to deal with the noise!
I appreciate all your hard work and knowledge!
It's funny that you mentioned noise. With two Lot-Os under the stairs, she thinks it's louder than before. That makes sense, but I don't really notice a difference.
I always feel bad when I spend the day cutting and grinding rocks in the basement. That's a lot louder than the tumblers. I have also been researching ways to make the audio on my videos less echoey. I started installing mineral wool between the floor joists in the basement. I guess it's the ceiling of the basement and the floor of the main level of the house. I'm not quite half finished. I really hope it helps solve both problems.
@@MichiganRocks Yeah, I can see that. I try to cut my rocks when my wife leaves for a while, run out to the garage real quick. I would think that the mineral wool would help something. I will follow up with you on how that works, interested for my own use.
@@CityRockhounding I plan to work on it more tomorrow, but I've got something else going too. If I don't get it done tomorrow, it'll be next week before I get back to it. If I forget to let you know how it goes, send me a message, ok?
@@MichiganRocks Ok sounds good, thanks Rob!
great explanation! I get most my rocks from the beach. Sounds like adding a vibratory tumbler will get me finished product a lot faster since most already have a good starter shape
It will speed up the last stages of any type of rocks.
Very, very well done! I’ve enjoyed all of your videos, but this is one that I’ve really needed to see. I’m in that choose-point between tumblers and needed this advice.
First, I’m going with the Lortone Model QT66 to replace my limping Harbor freight rotary. I like to idea of the two 6-pound barrels that can run different processes at the same time. A 12-pound barrel may come later if I need to run really big rocks, if it would work that way? After that’s settled, then the Lotto tumbler for speeding up the #2~4 steps when appropriate. Also getting to that superior shine while saving on the grit/polish media.
Thanks so much Rob, you’ve really helped my new hobby come up to speed and kept me from making too many mistakes!
I'm glad this was helpful, John. You can definitely buy a 12 pound barrels later if you want to. I started with a QT66 for the same reason you did. I bought a twelve pound barrel later.
@@MichiganRocks The QT66 arrived today via FedEx. Really nice work building this machine. Read the instructions, twice. Oiled it, Then filled both barrels IAW exact instructions with Lake Huron harvest. Now we’re cooking. Super quiet even though it’s spinning 3x what the H.F. Machine could.
Thanks again for your work putting this all together to help us interested in the hobby. My 6 y/o nephew wants only two things for his upcoming birthday, a tumbler or a tumbler. Specifically because he’s watched me run through your guidance and the nice results we achieved. I’m calling that a verified win for the hobby. And for my nephew!
@@berjo77 Good luck! I think you'll have fun with that.
Excellent lesson Rob!
The best comparison, thanks! Especially appreciate the sound comparison! 👍👍👍
Sound is hard to demonstrate on a video, but at least you get an idea.
That turtle is still so impressive and I love seeing your other work 😊
And I do like how you compared them, very easy to understand.
I tend to love that nature look.
I'm glad you found this helpful.
I’m nearly 45 and today I learned of rock tumbling. Wow what a great hobby. Never heard about this and now I’m fascinated by it.
It really is a fun hobby. If you decide to get into it, let me know if you need any help.
@@MichiganRocks Yes Sir. Funnily enough I googled about some info last night & here in the UK it’s a fairly big hobby to. I’ve subscribed to your channel. The year long experiment was the first one that pricked my fascination haha.
@@pjg_77 You might get some useful info from this channel too. He's in the UK so he might be able to help you with where to get supplies. th-cam.com/channels/LFzJwXLyICX7ATZRmowvvg.html
Another great video!! I am trying to decide if I should get a flat lap or a tumbler ? I have a small vibratory tumbler I got in the 80s . Tried polishing some rocks but gave up after a couple batches . Wasn’t happy with my results. Now I am retired and ready to try again. I like how you and Thomas built your own tumblers . Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us . Your videos are VERY HELPFUL!!
Keep rockin!!👍😎
What is your rock polishing goal? A flat lap and tumbler are very different machines. I used to use my flat lap a lot to polish Petoskey Stones because at the time I didn't know how to tumble them. I also made a lot of round cabs on my flat lap, but for that you also need a saw or two. You have to be able to cut the shape out and may have to be able to slab a rock, unless you just buy slabs.
I think for most people their first machine is a rotary tumbler.
@@MichiganRocks I really like rocks that look natural. One or 2 sides cut and polished. To show what’s inside. Those are the rocks I have displayed in our house. Most of my small polished stones are put away in bags or boxes . That’s why I am leaning towards a flat lap . We will be heading up to Minnesota for the summer in may , so I not gonna buy anything now. Summer is rockhounding and fishing time for me . Got to get up there before Thomas picks everything up ! Lol !!😎
@@olmilfishrock A flat lap makes the most sense if that's what you want to do. A cab machine is even better, but a lot more expensive.
Good side by side comparison along with pros and cons.
Thank you Rob. That was very clear and comprehensive. I use different equipment and don't have your experience but I do have some thoughts on the Thumler's vibe. Purely from watching your videos and others I believe the Lot-O is quieter because of the bowl composition. I use the UV-10. Adding a lot of ceramic helps tremendously. I'm currently running bahias and Brazilians with a bunch of ceramic due to their size and it's fairly quiet. Also the water balance is easier to figure on the Lot-O, but I have a solution for the UV which I show in my first video. The UV does not seem to dry out because of its tighter lid but it will slow in the medium stage due to rock dust. The manufacturer recommended grit amount for the UV is bad in my opinion. I have been using a ratio closer to what you recommend for the Lot-O with great results. I haven't watched your Lot-O video yet but I will soon. Be happy. Be kind.
That's a good video. I like the thorough explanation you did on how to know if the water is right or not. For anyone with a Thumler's vibratory tumbler, check it out: th-cam.com/video/tzHUykAB29c/w-d-xo.html
@@MichiganRocks Thank you kindly.
Good information. I had read that vibratory tumblers are more work too, and I guess when you compare it to rotary tumbler it is technically a lot more work. I'm glad you covered that part in the video.
I'd say a little more work, not a lot. I actually like that it takes more effort because I feel like I have more of a part in the process. With a rotary tumbler, I'm kind of helpless during the week. I have to just wait until the week is over and see what happened. With the Lot-O, I get to participate more in the process.
@@MichiganRocks I'm more involved then I expected, however I'm in the newborn stage so I'm sure it will work out to be less..
good video Rob. Besides comparing the 2 processes, it explains some of the things you do or have done on your regular videos. Very interesting!
Gosh, I guess I accomplished more than I planned to!
Very clear presentation…thanks for the video! It gets me thinking about looking at vibratory tumbler :).
I love my Lot-O. I can't imagine tumbling without it.
Great comparison. Thanks!
I might end up going flat lap instead, but I need to buy another saw first, anyway.
So many choices!
I found your other video on tumbling rocks in the vibrating tumbler very helpful. I'll probably pick up a vibrating tumbler later. Right now I just have the dual barrel rotary tumbler. I don't really have tons of rock to tumble but I think its good to have both especially if you don't want to round off the edges of the rocks in the rotary one.
I love my Lot-O tumbler. I'm currently cranking out Christmas ornaments as fast as I can and they go straight from my saw to the Lot-O.
This explanation was superb!!! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for the demonstration. I learned something
Great, that was what I was hoping for!
Thank you so much. I have been going back and forth on which to get for awhile now. It's all so confusing. The reason I haven't made the decision is I'm very impatient and the tumbler seems to take so long. But if i understand correct, I can just do stage one in a tumbler and finish with the vibrating tumbler. I'm new and know what I want.. just needed the information and steps to take. Thanks again and I love your videos. I can't wait to get up that way and see what I can find.
That's what I almost always do. I do the first stage in a rotary tumbler. That takes a very long time for me because I try to grind out every little flaw. Some people are not as picky as I am and don't worry about getting every little crack and hole out. Then, after they're done in the first stage, the rest of the stages only take one week total in a vibratory tumbler.
Again, simply spot-on. Thank you.
You're welcome, Todd.
I just ordered a Covington deluxe slanted rotary tumbler I can't wait to use it!
I haven't used one of those, but it looks like a really nice machine. I'd be excited too!
Excellent technical comparison, thanks for the information
You're welcome!
wow- that big tumbler you built at the end is hard core - great work - looking forward to getting a tumbler to start all of these rocks i have stored away from various trips - i got an app called rock identifier like the plant one but it isn’t very accurate - the plant one works much better
I have heard god things about the plant identifier app and nothing good about rock identification apps. I just got the plant one and have tried it a few times myself.
Thank you for this comparison. I can't afford a vibratory tumbler so I gotta make do with what I have. My first batch is almost done. Thank you so much for all these great videos. 🙃☕❤❤❤
Maybe some day. Save those pennies.
Really cool video! Thanks for the info, I wish I saw this before I bought my tumbler just for the extra info. 👏
You said "tumbler" singular, so I'm assuming you only have one. This video can still help you with all the other tumblers you buy when you realize that one isn't enough!
@@MichiganRocks Oh yeah, I'm sure I'll have a secondary one at some point. I did get a rotary one with a 40lb barrel! Its monstrous! I needed a high capacity one to do huge tumbles but now I see I would appreciate the speed of a vibratory tumbler too.
@@OregonCoastAgates I can't imaging picking that monster up every week to clean out. I also can't imagine how long it takes to go through all those rocks. But I'm still a little jealous of such a huge tumbler.
@@MichiganRocks Subscribe if you'd like to check it out sometime, I'll definitely do a tumbler vid. Its a beast! I need to get some better tumbling media to try to absorb some of the impact. I was tumbling stones 6" in diameter! 😆
Good comparison. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that's ever accidentally let my lot-o dry out lol. Could have included your info on how much electricity they use, I found that very interesting.
I have let my Lot-O dry out more than once and it has never hurt anything. It does lead to a lot of ceramics getting stuck to the sides of the barrel, which is a pain though.
I explained how much electricity the Lot-O uses in my review of the Lot-O that was released at the same time as this video. I also tested all the tumblers I own to see how much they cost to run in this video: th-cam.com/video/anvqmnXwyH4/w-d-xo.html
@@MichiganRocks yeah I saw that. I watched that next lol.
YES
You have convinced me I cont have the patience for this hobby
You might be surprised. If you enjoy the process, it's not bad. It also gets easier the more you do it. Then again, it might just not be right for you.
Thank you so much for this! I've been wanting a rock tumbler since I was a little kid and I'm finally going to get one for my birthday this year (and I'll be 59, lol). I think I'm going to get the vibratory tumbler because I live near Lake Superior and most of our rocks are already pretty rounded; I just want to polish them.
Sounds like a good reason to me.
Nice job on comparison, thanks
You're welcome!
Rob your tumbling videos are helpful. I hope I can buy a vibrant tumbler sometime. I have the Lortone 45c. Both tumblers would be great to have.
Yep, I use both all the time.
I had no idea i liked rocks, they just needed some polishing, I love it.
I only got into this about 12 years ago. I sort of liked rocks, but I have a much greater appreciation for them since I started paying attention to them more.
I end up rewatching your videos! I think I’m getting better.
I hope you mean you're getting better at tumbling and not better at watching videos.
thank you so much for this video!!!! so informative!!! just what i needed!
You're welcome, I'm glad it was helpful.
Excellent demo.
Id really like to get a loto. Tumblers are really expensive here in NZ.
That pudding stone frome the rotary looked amazing.
That puddingstone is my favorite tumbled puddingstone.
@@MichiganRocks it really is gorgeous
@@MichiganRocks I recently tumbled a pretty conglomerate about the same size.
Completely different minerals, but it came out a little fractured
Great information, thank you so much for this video!
You're welcome, Maggie!
Thank you! it answers many questions that I had. I am new to tumblling rocks and what I have is a two 6 pound tumbler (Lortone). I was wondering if I should also get a vibratory tumbler, so now I know what both can do.
I have that same Lortone QT66. I use the barrels in my big homemade tumbler now, but that's a good machine. A Lot-O would go great with it.
Excellent informational video!
Great video. I have been debating what to do with rotary or vibratory because I am just getting started. I will start vibrating and see if I want to add the rotary later. Thank you!
I had the same question when I started. If I had to have just one, I'd go with a rotary because I like my rocks to be very smooth and rounded. Others would make the opposite choice. At least you know the difference now.
Nice comparison I was thinking to pick up a Lotto Tumbler to finish my. Rocks after using my rotary tumbler for the final steps.
That's what I do for almost all of my rocks.
@@MichiganRocks Great advice
Grit can get a little pricey!
Your a great mentor
Thanks, Judie.
thank you
T.L.D.R.; (00:30 to 03:06) Use coarse grit in a tumbler to reshape the stone to remove sharp edges and holes, then use progressively finer grits in the vibratory tumble to quickly pre-polish, ploish and burnish in a fraction of the time it would take a tumbler.
Just wondering though slightly off-topic, but what kind of adhesive do you use to attach your magnets to your rocks? Also I love the guitar pic idea! Wish I had a cab machine. I wouldn’t mind seeing a video on a bunch of ideas you can craft with your tumbled stones. I’m always looking for ideas to put the tumbled stones to use not just a knickknack!
Love your videos they make me want to visit Michigan!
I have used E6000 glue and epoxy to glue magnets to rocks. E6000 is a soft glue, sort of like Shoe Goo or silicone. It can be peeled off with your fingers if you decide to remove the magnet. Epoxy is much stronger and permanent.
I have found that using a drum type for the first step smooths the sharp corners off the rocks better than the vibratory tumbler. I then use the vibratory machine for the last three steps, will do the same polishing job as the drum tumbler, but much faster.
That's exactly what I do and what I tried to explain in this video. Sorry if I was unclear.
Great review, Rob! I've got 2 rotary tumblers now (the Harbor Freight version of the 33b - I know the reviews aren't great, but I've had nothing* but good luck) and looking forward to getting a vibratory tumbler in the next month or so. My first batch has been in polish for about 4 days now and I'm chomping at the bit to see what's going on! 😂 Patience is a virtue I do not have in bulk.
Those Harbor Freight tumblers get very mixed reviews. Some people have good luck with them, others not so much.
Don't buy the Harbor Freight vibratory tumbler though, it's not a rock tumbler. It's made for tumbling metal parts in dry media and won't hold up to tumbling rocks.
I think a vibratory tumble will help with your patience deficiency!
@@MichiganRocks I actually bought the HF vibratory tumbler, then read a bunch of reviews on it and exchanged it for my second rotary tumbler. They do sell an 18lb capacity vibratory tumbler meant for rocks, but I don't think I'd have that much of a similar material to run at a time. I'm just going to wait and get a Lot-O.
I'm hoping to have enough self-collected quartz ready to run through a Lot-O when I get it to have at least one practice run before I need to move my contest rocks on. I definitely don't want to use it for the contest rocks first thing out of the box!
@@aubriannezamora2648 Good luck!
@@aubriannezamora2648 Oh, I didn't know any of them were made for rocks. Thanks for the correction.
I will definitely use this information while asking my wife to get two tumblers.
Good luck with that!
I run both types.... For obsidian you need a vibe,plus it runs a bit faster for tumbling ..
I still like the old school rotary too ..
Hi Mike! I like the rotary for the first stage and the Lot-O for all other stages. They both have their strengths.
Double feature today, nice!
Yeah, but it will cost you twice as much.
Its worth the information!
Very Helpful video. Thanks.
Awesome video thank you!
Thanks for the comparison, Rob. I'm probably in the minority, but I did prefer the puddingstone that was only in the vibratory tumbler. It looked more like you just picked it up off the beach.
I can see times of wanting things very smooth, but not often. But as one of my friends says, if we all liked the same things, there'd be a terrible haggis shortage. 😉
Lots of people like that more natural look. Like you, I'm really glad that we don't all have the same taste. What fun would that be?
Awesome and informative video
Harbor freight sells them also. Thanks for the info
Harbor Freight vibratory tumbler are for tumbling metal. They're not built for the weight of rocks. I've heard that the barrels wear out really quickly. Their rotary tumblers don't have a great reputation for durability either, although they are made for rocks. I'd suggest looking at Kingsley North or the Rock Shed for a Lortone tumbler. They don't cost much more and they're much better rotary tumblers. There are links in the description of this video if you're interested in comparing prices.
I have a small one bedroom apartment. I brought a 2.5 lb tumbler. I have box fans running 24/7 through my rooms to cycle the air since there is no central a/c. I had to put my tumbler on a coushin chair in my kitchen. It does not bother me at all. It actually is a sound I like. 😝.
That's great. With your fans running, I can't imagine it being very loud at all.
Thank you. Very informative
You’re welcome, Sparky. Is you middle name “Amps” or “Volts”?
@@MichiganRocks Sparky Joule Watts
@@sparkywatts3072 Ah!
Have learned so much from your videos... Thanks for taking the time to make them !!
Have you any opinions you care to share concerning the Tumble Bee 14 ? I have had three Harbor freight units fail and need a replacement now that I have a Raytech Vibratory but have not enough $$$ to get a Loretone . Is there another "budget" tumbler you can recommend that is more reliable than the HF?
I don't have much experience with anything but Lortone and Thumler's. I have a small, two barrel Thumler's that I don't like much. I have heard about lots of Harbor Freight tumblers not being reliable, which is why I spent the extra money on a Lortone. I don't know much at all about the Tumble Bee tumblers. Sorry that I'm not more help.
Hi Rob...great video again....I've just purchase the Lot-O and am waiting for shipping to bring it to me across country. I've had numerous rotary tumblers so I'm interested in using the vibratory. A couple of things about my experience and your video. Most all the time I use my 3 pound barrels and love how the stones turn out....looking forward to doing Petoskey and Cladopora per your instrunctions with the Lot-O and corn cob media. I also have a 12 pound barrel and have given it a shot a couple of times but have been less than happy with the finished polished results...so hoping the Lot-O steps up the results and then I'll go back to using the 12# again for stage 1. A question on media used in the Lot-O. I've never purchased or used ceramics (and now the local dealer has closed shop for good) but I have used beach pebbles of various sizes in the rotary tumblers that I re-use and I was wondering if you think that that would be an adequate substitute for ceramics? Otherwise I'll find somewhere in Ontario that sells it and have it shipped to me.
I know of a woman who gets really good results using large aquarium gravel. I think it's quartz. That would be similar to using small beach gravel. The only thing you'd have to do is tumble those pebbles first so that they're completely smooth before using them in the finer stages.
Thanks….so that will be the plan going forward…will let you know how it turns out. I’d stopped using plastic tile spacers in my tumblers over a year ago for environmental reasons and gone exclusively to beach pebbles with great results. So I have a couple jars of just those now when needed. As a bonus….those are a couple of really cool looking jars.
@@scrand6 Sounds like you've got a plan. I hope it works out well for you.
Thanks so much for the video...very beneficial for me.
You're welcome, Jason.
Very informative…thanks.
You're welcome.
Hi Michigan Rocks! First, just wanted to say thank you again for all your educational videos! Second, I did have a question: When you find beach worn rocks, like really smooth ones, do you still have them go thru the 3 grit/polish cycle? Or do you skip straight to polish? I found some rocks on Lake Michigan (I am in SE Wisconsin), and I've been finding plenty of smooth chalcedony and some smooth jasper/quartz, etc., but wasn't sure if I am supposed to tumble them beginning with Grit-1 and going thru the 4 step cycle like I do with other rocks. Thank you in advance for your advice, and love-love-love the videos :)
Yes, you should still do all the stages, even the first stage. Here's a video I did on tumbling beach rocks in a National Geographic tumbler. This is a very fast tumbler, so if you have a slower tumbler, like a Lortone or Harbor Freight, you would run the first stage for a week before cleaning it out. th-cam.com/video/_Vmm24Fc7j4/w-d-xo.html
@@MichiganRocks Thank you!
Do you have a video on different vibratory tumblers? I bought one on eBay that is quite a bit larger than the one you use. New to the tumble world and live by your videos!
Nope, this is the only vibratory tumbler I own.
This was really interesting! Kind of a pity that the motor in the Lot-O isn't what it used to be, and that so many other vibratory tumblers are sold out - and have been for a while. I decided to take a chance on a Raytech TV-10 for polishing. If nothing else I'll get an education. ;)
I heard from someone who would have a better idea than I do that the motor issue may be improving. It's a little early to tell for sure, but I hope they've got this figured out.
Rob, my wife wants to tumble emerald rough. Some of the stones have milky crystals (non-facatable) with the emerald hexagonal shape and she wants to keep that shape throughout the polishing. From watching this video it seems it would be best to grind the large portions of matrix from the crystal and using a vibratory tumbler to polish the crystal. Also, with the brittleness of emerald crystal I thought the gentler tumbler would help keep them intact throughout the process. What would your recommendation be to keep the crystal shape?
Even a vibratory tumbler is going to round the edges a little bit. It's not nearly as much as a rotary, but there's some. I have no experience tumbling emerald, but if you want it as gentle as possible, I'd use a lot of ceramic media. You might want to use all ceramics and then just the little emeralds. The Lot-O is pretty gentle on rocks, and if has a lot of ceramics, it acts more like a liquid in there, just flowing around.
Have you ever tried walnut shells? Very new to this and someone suggested them to me.
Thanks for the great videos!
No, but I think there's a good possibility that they'd work for some applications. I have used corn cob to polish Petoskey Stones. th-cam.com/video/grSlZ835VDo/w-d-xo.html
We all know the best rock tumbler is in that cabinet, take care, thanks for the info
I think that's my second favorite tumbler. I really like my Lot-O.
Excellent as always, very interesting. Pity lotto and Lortone not available in the UK. Cheers!
Yes, that's a shame. Whenever I get questions about where to find supplies in the UK, I send them your way. I hope you don't mind.
@@MichiganRocks of course I don't mind, I enjoy the interaction with other tumblers. All the best.
Thank you, this was a great one versus the other education on how they perform. I have learned a great deal from you in such a short amount of time and want to thank you. I would like to ask you a question on the double Lortone's. I bought a QT66 and was wondering if I can do a run in only one of the 6# barrels and keep the second barrel empty or should I could just leave it off the tumbler all together. Thank you for any insight and much appreciated.
I don't know why you would run only one, but there shouldn't be a problem with that. As long as you have the round nut on the top of the barrel in its little slot, it should be ok either way. I'd probably leave it completely off just because if it's really light, there's a slight chance it could jump off the base.
@@MichiganRocks Thank you for the reply. I went ahead and started a Step 1 coarse run in just one barrel. I do have the second barrel on it and have not seen an issue so far but may remove as I didn't think about it jumping ship. Since this was my first time with a double barrel, I was hesitant as to how it would work if I did use just one. I plan to use one barrel for Step 1 and 2 and other for polishing steps 3 and 4.
@@rkipperkelley3152 Ok, that makes some sense. I actually think having separate barrels for separate grits is a bit overrated, but I do have a polish barrel for my Lot-O. Since my rocks spend way, way more time in the first stage, I can't imagine having a barrel not working. If I felt really strongly about having a polish barrel, I'd buy a third barrel. Check out the finished rock in this video. It was done in the same barrel all the way through. th-cam.com/video/bc-XRnSzWIc/w-d-xo.html
One of each it is then.... Thanks!
That's the correct decision if you can afford it.
Thanks for the video! Do you have a tutorial on how you built your multi-rotary tumbler??
My friend designed that tumbler and I built it. He has asked me not to share the plans, but I do have a couple videos showing it more closely. I have also answered some basic questions in the comments. I've made a couple small changes over the years, like speeding it up a bit by changing a pulley, so some of my comments may be a bit contradictory. Here are those videos:
Homemade Tumbler: th-cam.com/video/6qIcK2ZohGM/w-d-xo.html
Tumbler Update: th-cam.com/video/PAMOCc2BNJM/w-d-xo.html
@@MichiganRocks ok, thanks!
I always enjoy your rockhounding and I want to get the lot o rock vibratory tumbler. Any ideas.
I like that idea. I bought two. That being said, I have heard of a lot of people having really bad luck with the motors burning out on recent Lot-O tumblers.
Rob, do you have any videos of how you cut the rocks for the shapes you make? Thanks for all the vids you have done so far. Steve
This is one of my first videos, so it's not great quality. But since you asked...
th-cam.com/video/UUnljVB8Ubc/w-d-xo.html
Here's a newer video that has some good information too:
th-cam.com/video/VDoZL4MiPgQ/w-d-xo.html
@@MichiganRocks Many thanks mate, I learned a great deal from that Video
Another good video. Do you have any good sources for Lortone parts? I purchased an old double barrel that needs new belts. Thanks.
Kingsley North and the Rock Shed both cary Lortone parts. There are links to both places in the description of this video.
Thank you great information.
You're welcome!
Great
Hi, I'd really love to know more about your tumbler cabinet - can you do a video giving a closer look at it - is it a custom made all-in-one mechanism or is it 3 separate machines? Thanks
It's homemade by me, but designed by a friend of mine. One motor drives the whole thing.
Homemade Tumbler: th-cam.com/video/6qIcK2ZohGM/w-d-xo.html
Tumbler Update: th-cam.com/video/PAMOCc2BNJM/w-d-xo.html
@@MichiganRocks thanks
I have that same Lortone, and I really struggle to get bigger rocks to work well. They end up just wedged in there and not tumbling.
If you're doing bigger rocks, you can only do one at a time. Mix in some small stuff with one big one and it should move better. The small rocks will take some abuse though.
Thanks for the comparison video Rob. Clearly the ideal tumbling setup would be to have both a rotary and a vibratory tumbler but if you can’t afford both right off the bat then you should start off with the rotary tumbler. I almost always get an exceptional shine with my rotary tumblers with the exception of stones that have sort of a natural cabochon shape. The flat sides come out shiny but the rounded edges often come out with a scuffed up appearance. Do you think a Lotto tumbler would eliminate that problem ?
I can do flats with no problem as long as I use enough ceramic media. Concave parts don't always shine up though.
@@MichiganRocks What I was trying to say was that the rounded edges or sides of the cabochon shape often come out scuffed up and sometimes kind of rough and it seems to occur in the final polishing stage in my rotary. Almost like they had been beat up and I was thinking that maybe the Lotto would treat them with a little more gentleness.
@@davidhile5363 Yes, the Lot-O would be much better for that. In the meantime, try adding more ceramics in your rotary tumbler when tumbling cabs. Another thing that will help is to fill it to about 80% full. That way the cabs aren't falling as far as the tumbler rolls.
@@MichiganRocks Thanks Rob, I’ll give that a try !!!
Could you carpet the walls and ceiling in the cubby under your steps for extra soundproofing? Just a thought.
I could, but I haven't. You can only hear it upstairs if I have both Lot-Os running simultaneously. Even then it's pretty quiet. They're both running right now, and I can't hear them.
I really appreciate your videos you do a good job and I don’t usually have any questions after watching them because you do such a thorough job of explaining. Thank you, keep it up 👍
Thanks, I'm glad they're helpful.