Hi Rob, I finally received my long-awaited Lot-O, after months on back order... From some of the horror stories I've heard of the motor, I sure hope it lasts. I did find out that moving the dowel towards the barrel did indeed improve the performance. Runs like a champ! Awful of the manufacturer not correcting this & leaving it up to us to fix?! Again, I thank you for your time & great instructional video to correct this problem & others that may arise. Glad we have you as a teacher! Blessings to the family. Go Blue!
I'm glad you finally got one! Both of my newer motors are still running fine, so hopefully yours last too. I've heard rumors that the motors they're currently using might be better.
This video is amazing! So many tips, like the PVC pipe to balance the barrel, not using plastic in the vibratory, the rubber band seat belt, dampness, fill level, and on and on. Thanks for sharing all of your tips from years of using a vibratory tumbler. In combination with the rotary vs. vibratory video I believe you have answered all my questions and musings about tumbling!
Since making this video. I have heard many stories about how quickly the motors on this tumbler die and how horrible the customer service is, that I can no longer recommend it. I don't have a recommendation for a different vibratory tumbler because this is the only one I have ever used. Both of mine are still running, but I think it's only a matter of time before their motors give out. There is some really good information about possible replacement motors discussed here: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/100982/experience-lot-failed-motor?page=1&scrollTo=1253535
@@flyingweinerdog Yes, mine gets really hot too. My first motor lasted about ten years. It was quiet at first and developed a buzzing sound over the years. I think that sound was the bearings going bad, because that's what eventually did it in.
@@MichiganRocks Uh-oh... I bought my wife Mary a Lot-O a year ago, and we're mounting it as we speak (Thanks for this video by the way!) I hope the motor doesn't go on us. We lost a National Geographic 3lb tumbler after about 6 months due to that motor dying. It would be a shame to see the Lot-O go too! I wonder if there's any kind of engine oil or something that you can put in there to help it last longer... Hmm.....
Thank you for showing the whole process! Since acquiring my Lot-O, I've been thrown off track getting to use it by selling my house and surgery, you know, life! Now that I'm getting back on track this is going to be really helpful. You answered a whole bunch of questions I've had about it. I'm going to watch the video again and take notes this time. The used Lot-O I bought has the dowel set where you recommend and I'll be listening to its sound and will know better about the condition of the motor. I've had a bowl of agates ready for the Lot-O for over a year now. Can't wait to get to it! Thanks again, Rob!
I want to thank you for your informative videos that inspire and use the KISS methods. When I first turned on Utube I had stepped away to fill my coffee cup and heard your voice and my first impression was that you sounded like a teacher. Congratulations. Laura Francis
Rob, excellent Lot-O overview video. I will say I purchased my Lot-O a couple of years ago based off of your work. It seems every single Lot-O is slightly different. I didn't fill my block base before painting and mounting and instantly regretted it. The base needs density more than weight for action sake. I placed railroad rail pieces in the block base and that added density helped action tremendously, so I'm glad you filled your holes. I put an old solid rubber doormat under my block between it and the concrete shop floor. Also, I found the use of a fine mesh sink drain strainer helps me drain the water without losing small ceramic pieces between my fingers, it fits over the mouth perfectly. I have a video on it here. I also discovered upon advice from another Lot-O user that my action works best if I give the bowl a slight, less than level, forward towards the motor tilt. Thanks for all your videos!
Hi Lance. One thing that I have noticed is that if you put two of them under your stairs like I did, the noise is more noticeable. You can sort of hear and feel it on the far end of the house upstairs. It's still not loud, but more noticeable than with just one. I have always had a folded up towel under mine. Since buying this second one, I bought some foam blocks designed for noise isolation. They didn't help at all. Now I have bubble wrap wrapped in the towel and placed under the block. I don't think that helped at all, but I left it under there. I have used the strainer like you mentioned, but I worry that grit will get stuck in the rim around it and contaminate my batch. I drop a few between my fingers, too, but I keep doing it that way because I can be sure my hands are well rinsed. That's the first I've heard of slanting the barrel. I'll have to try that.
Just had to drop a HUGE thank you for this awesome video on the Lot-O Tumbler! Including the visual of how to move the dowel for better action was a total game-changer! I've watched all your videos more times than I can count, and without you, I'd still be tumbling stones like a complete novice! Your videos seriously "rock"! - please keep them coming! Thanks again for helping me with my skills and for making my rocks shine!
I have had my Lot-O for a couple of years and never got the motion of your original. Amazed to learn about tuning them! I will adjust the fulcrum point on mine. I bet it makes a huge difference. Thank you!
I was ready to give up on my Tumbler, have been using it for a year and could not get the rocks to move. watched this video and moved my dowel and now it's like a new tumbler, THANK YOU.
Thank you for making this video! I bought a double barrel last fall. After watching your videos on using it I did notice how different the roll speed was between yours and mine... I was almost to the point where I was getting self conscious about it! One thing I noticed with the double barrel is that over time the fans had come out of alignment thus causing one side to be less vigorous. But anyway, great review!
I purchased a twin Lot-O-Tumbler in the Spring and ran about 12 loads of stone when I noticed some differences in the tumbling speed compared to your videos and my own machine. The left side tumbled faster than the right side. I also had the left side fan come off during a session while I was asleep. I sent an email to the Lot-O-Tumbler folks with an attached video. The video showed a wobbly spin with the fans and some clicks as the motor came to rest. I also had the same problem as Jared….one weight was in the 6 o’clock position while the other was at the 7-8 o’clock position. I was advised to tighten the metal retaining clip with a pair of pliers and all should be fine. I tightened the fan clip with the pliers and noticed that the right side was also loose. I tightened both clips achieved a firm grip on both spindles. I ran another load, stopped to change the grit and the tumbler sounded Ike a bucket of bolts for a few second before it froze. It appears that the left side bearing is shot. I wrote back to Lot-O-Tumbler and was advised that replacement motors were out of stock and would not be delivered until mid to late September I checked several vendors and none of them had stock. I don’t believe I did anything wrong or abusive. Looking back at the events, I think the fans were not properly installed hence the bearing problem. My suggestion to Jared and others it to tighten the fans before you burn out the bearings/motor. Here’s the instructions I received. “To tighten up the fan on the shaft ,remove the one the moves and tighten or squeeze the metal clip that holds it on reinstall it re align it and should be good.” I’m out of the 90 day warranty so I don’t know if I’ll get any help from Lot-O-Tumbler. The supply problems are also an issue since the machine will be sidelined until I can find a replacement or substitute. If anyone has some suggestions I’d welcome the help. This machine turned out some beautiful rocks and I’d like to get it running again. My advice to new owners is to check the crimps on the fans since I believe it was an assembly issue.
Neat. It’s always fun to get new toys. That was clever of you to move the dowel. It really worked. It’s a shame that the factory doesn’t calibrate them properly. I’m sure that they have a lot of unnecessary returns because of that. The towel made a big difference in sound. You could barely hear it with the towel. The rocks polished up beautifully. The rock tumbling award that you won is something to be very proud of.
The towel underneath helps a lot, but the machine still makes noise. Don't expect it to be silent. Moving the dowel wasn't my idea, it's right in the instructions that come with it. I don't feel like it's something that should have to be done very often though.
I'm glad I watched this video. I recently started using a Lot-O twin barrel vibratory tumbler, and I noticed the action didn't seem right (it didn't look like the action I've seen in your other videos). I may need to move the dowel. I'm glad to see others in the comments here have done the same and had positive results.
I got a Lot O for Christmas and had the same problem. People on the Rock Tumbling Hobby Forum (including you) suggested moving the dowel and it made a big difference. I'm just glad that I knew from watching your videos that mine wasn't adjusted right.
@@MichiganRocks It is a great place, and seems to be filled with people eager to help with advice and kind words. Not what you would expect from rockhounds who are well known for being mean and ill tempered. :)
Thank you so much for putting out this video. I couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t getting the results I wanted. I noticed how the rocks in your Lotto really were moving faster and couldn’t figure out how to make the change. Moving the dowel seems to have made the difference!
Thank you so much! I recently got a lot-o and mine is adjusted just like yours was and I have seen the same speed. I thought I was the problem. Now I have a project today of adjusting my dowel. Thank again.
I bought two of these as part of used lot a while back, that tip about putting epoxy into the dimple at the bottom of the barrel is great, I need to do that. And thank you for showing your process for getting it mounted on the block. I've chewed up rocks by not having mine mounted and know I need to do it, I just wasn't sure what the best way how is. Great content as always, thanks!
To put epoxy in the hole in the bottom, I twirled some epoxy on a stick of wood, like you would do with a honey dipper. Then I lowered it in and just let it drip off into the hole. It has never come out in over ten years.
Hans Beyer Watched your video on the Lot-O vibratory tumbler review and enjoyed it. I was pleased with some of the information I didn't know like where the dowel is located on mine. I checked and it was like your example. One item that may be worth mentioning in the Cons section, the fact that the motor is warranted for only 30 days. I have to admit I didn't do my homework so I have only me to blame. I purchased my Lot-O last October (2021) and after less than six months the motor was shot. I noticed the noise getting louder and louder so I checked the shaft on the motor. There was considerable play, I could move one side of the shaft up and down, what seemed more than 1/16th of an inch (just a guess). Needless to say I was disappointed. I have tried to locate a replacement but there seems to be no stock. Hopefully that will change soon. Enough complaining. I really like the tumbler, just bummed for my bad luck. Keep up the good videos. I enjoy them and respect the quality of your shiny rocks.
A couple other people have made similar comments about their motors wearing out really quickly. That's definitely a con. Since mine lasted ten years, I was pretty happy. That's my only experience, so that's all I could say.
@@MichiganRocks I have had the same experience of the motors wearing out quickly. From info I have gathered from others, they changed manufactures of the motor and the quality has gone down. I still LOVE my lot-o tumblers!
Thank you so much for the great video! I am going to try adjusting my wooden dowel tonight on my double barrel since I am not getting as fast of a tumble as others seem to get. Sadly I have had my single barrel for about a year, and the motor needs to be replaced. Sealed bearing are ruined and local repair shop said that it cannot be fixed, but must be replaced instead. I LOVE my lot-0 tumbler! WIth my twin lotto, it 's motor went out (bearings went bad) just 80 days after use, but luckily that one was still within the warranty period and Calway/Belt replaced it very quickly for me! Even with the few issues, I absolutely think these are wonderful tumblers! Thanks for all of the great videos! Tina
I have gotten a lot of comments on this video about people’s motors going bad after a short time. That’s really disappointing since these are great tumblers otherwise.
Thank you for buying a second vibratory! You solved my question and concern of why my rocks didn't match the speed of yours . It's the poor quality control my dowel rod was way off just like your new one . Moved it today and it was like magic fixed ! Thanks again for your knowledge.
I didn't buy a second Lot-O just for this video, it was because I had too many rocks piling up waiting for the other one. It was a good excuse to make a video about it though. I'm glad I could help you get yours adjusted.
I just bought the double barrel Lot-o because it was only $10 more than buying the single with an extra barrel. It won’t get shipped for a while and the prices have gone up, but I’m excited! Thank you for such helpful content!
For an extra $10, I think that was probably a good move for the extra barrel alone. I'd get enough ceramics to fill the extra barrel and then keep that one for your polish barrel.
I've always wanted to try tumbling and my wife and I just got back from a vacation in Gaspé Quebec, and I was able to stash about 25lbs of rocks in the SUV without too much of a fuss. I was fortunate to find your excellent videos and will be ordering a Lot-O very soon. Thank you for making great videos with clear explanations and information that even a novice can understand.
I'm glad to help. Did you watch the companion video to this, showing the difference between rotary and vibratory tumblers? Rotary and Vibratory Tumblers Compared: ruclips.net/video/5V33xUTkmRM/видео.html
@@MichiganRocks I did indeed, and it helped me decide which I think I should own. Unfortunately, I was also introduced to the price when I started shopping around. Looks like I'll have to wait awhile before I can spend that much money on something my wife deems frivolous. In the meantime, I'll have to content myself with watching your results, or maybe try the less expensive NG rotary model you tested with decent results. Thanks again for all the great videos and information you provide. I especially enjoy the slide show comparisons.
I cannot thank you enough! Just got a lot o that was running slow, even after I moved the dowel. Then I watched this, and moved it 2cm like u did in video. Perfect!!! Thank u so much
Hi Rob, I bought a Lot-O recently from Rock Shed, but have not set it up yet, as I am still tumbling in stage 1 in a rotary. I didn't read your new description to this video before making the purchase, lol, so I am hoping the newer Lot-O does not have the problems. It's silly that the manufacturer continues to place the dowel in the wrong position for rock rolling action. I also bought a Raytech TV-5 that I read some good reviews on. They sell a kit for rocks that includes a second bowl (good for Polish stage). The Raytech does not require being mounted on a heavy block of concrete, which is a pro in my mind. Eventually, I will be able to evaluate each vibratory tumbler. Lots of patience needed in stage one rotary, lol. Thanks for your videos! They are very helpful. I hope you get the chance to review the mini-sonic from Diamond Pacific. It's kind of expensive but looks to have some decent configuration options. I especially like the idea of being able to adjust the vibration speed.
There are some good threads on the Rock Tumbling Hobby forums (forum.rocktumblinghobby.com) on how to replace the motor with a $30 motor that works as well as the original motor. I asked DP to give me a Mini Sonic to review, but they wouldn't answer my email, even when I followed up with a phone call. I would have liked to review that, but I don't really need another tumbler and the price was too high to justify buying one just to do a review of it.
I’m so glad I watched this! The action on my Lot-O never seemed very good but I could never figure out why. You’re dowel trick worked like a charm! Thanks for making these videos!
Thats really awesome to know your channel , and i really appreciate your video about Lot-O Vibratory rock tumbler review, It's good to know all rock tumblers Thanks for showing us. Have a beautiful day !!
Awesome review here Rob, I really appreciate this. It's good to know all the tips and tricks about it. Thanks for showing us the setup and a sample batch.
Thank you! I have run one course of polishing like you demonstrate in this video through a new double barrel Lot-O. It was a struggle because I couldn't get an active enough rotation within the barrel. I paused the video at 18:35 and went to the garage to measure the location of my dowel. It's 3 cm from the inside screw, and one side is even a little more: the dowel isn't parallel with the frame. I'm going to take the measures you did and see if I can get that rolling rotation like you did. Thanks again for making such a helpful video. I really believe the Lot-O tumbler is a superior tool --- once you get it tuned in.
Thanks for the tip. I had already called the lot-o factory and spoke to Tom. He said they are all "carefully calibrated" at the factory. LOL. A little movement of the dowell makes a real difference.
Just got my twin barrel Lot-O, used it twice so far following your steps, and one barrel works like your old machine, whilst the other barrel does not. After checking the dowel placement, the good side is 2cm like yours, the side not moving so well is actually more like 3cm. Made the adjustment but have not ran it yet as I only have enough rock to go in the 1 barrel. Waiting on some 46/70 rough stock to get done in my rotary barrels so I can fill my 2nd Lot-O barrel with 220 rocks and see how it works. My machine actually has the rear plate that covers the fan motors and fans, so it doesn't blow anything back up at me. In your video it looks like yours doesn't cover them up, hence why you have to shield your eyes. Guessing they made that improvement at least.
I've never actually had it blow anything back at me, but those fans make me nervous. Tumbling grit has to be about the worst thing that you could get in your eyes.
Wow and wow, I have used a Lot o tumbler and am glad to get two years out of a motor! Unfortunately motors are not covered under warranty! My lot o has sounded like a machine gun since new, and indeed the dowel was closer to center between the two reference points, I just “corrected” the dowel position, amazing change to the hum I was always wanting, and yes the rocks and media still rotate about the same, I strongly suspect the wear and tear on the bearings will be different with the smoother operation. FYI I mounted an outlet box on the extended wood plank that was lag bolted to my cinder block with lot o base attached securely to the plank. The 4x outlet box affords two outlets beside a light switch, very convenient. Also a flat 1” piece of board insulation on the bottom of the cinder block makes a quiet installation and does not allow the project to walk. Many many thanks!
I’m so glad you posted this!! I’ve had a double barrel Lot O Tumbler for the last couple of years and stage one has always been very slow. I’ve wasted more than one batch of grit thinking there wasn’t enough water, but ended up adding too much. I will have to check the position of my dowel. I’ve always wondered why I didn’t have that “Michigan Rocks “ shine lol. Thx Rob!!
I suspect that there are a lot of people in your situation based on the comments I've read in some forums. How would you even know if you had never seen one working correctly?
@@MichiganRocks exactly, this video is a great help. Thx again!! I always enjoy your videos. Maybe someday when the border opens and things are safer, we can do a colab. I’m in Sault, Ontario
@@RockAndRollRockhound I have tentative plans to meet up with someone else up in your area, but I'm not sure of the details yet. I just watched one of your videos and it looks gorgeous up there. Of course our side of the lake is pretty awesome too.
Thank you for putting out this video. I couldn't figure out why I wasn't getting the results I wanted. Moving the dowel seems to have made a huge difference! 🙂
Thank you Rob! Mine hasn’t been moving well since I got it, just watched this video and now know what I need to do. As always, thanks for the educational videos!
After putting it off and putting it off, last night I decided to move the dowel on my double barrel Lot-O tumbler and I’m super happy with the results! My 220 stage was always a nightmare, barely moved, and usually ended up adding too much water. It runs perfect now, and can’t wait to get through the other stages. Thanks Rob, you rock!! Ric
I am new to tumbling. :) This video was a Godsend for me as they all seem to be! I have an older Lot-O Vibratory tumbler that I bought probably close to 25 years ago at a garage sale. I have never plugged it in until now. Other than a broken spring and a missing cap it seemed like everything is operating fine. I did not realize how the rocks should be moving inside the barrel until I watched this video. Unfortunately the website for this tumbler seems to be out of stock of many things including the spring I needed. I was able to get a cap though. I just happen to have a 3" x 5/8" mending brace that I bought from Menards a few years ago. I wasn't sure if it was going to work because it is more stiff(thicker) than the original spring. The holes lined up perfectly and I installed it anyway just to see if it would work. I also filled the pit at the bottom of the barrel with clear Gorilla glue and replaced the dowel. I started a batch today and "Wallah" it's moving fantastic! I'm still not sure if the glue will help or hinder because the one batch I ran after I filled the pit with glue ended up becoming a big clump at the bottom and I have not had the happen before, even with a broken spring. I'll know in the next day or two if the glue has been a help or hindrance. I ordered two more barrels so that I can have one for each phase. So if I have to remove the glue it will not be a big deal. Thank you for putting together such fantastic helpful videos and congratulations on the first place win of your young student. That's inspiring. :)
That information about the spring replacement might come in handy for some other people. I have heard that they're not able to get springs from the spring manufacturer right now. It's nice to know that there's an alternative. I used epoxy to fill in the holes of the original barrel. If your Gorilla Glue doesn't work, give that a try. Doesn't Gorilla Glue expand as it dries? I'd think that could be a problem. Epoxy doesn't do that.
@@MichiganRocks There is a Gorilla glue that expands. The one that I used did not. I used the clear version and let it dry for a few days. The front of the bottle says 'no foam' and 'water resistant'. So far so good with this batch. I did a couple of spritzes of water this morning. Tomorrow I will remove the rocks and update what the bottom of my barrel looks like. :)
I updated this this morning but it disappeared for some reason. Here goes again. :) The bottom of my barrel did have a slight clump, not as big as the last one but still there. I popped out the glue just by pushing in the nub on the outside only to find out that there was still a bit of wet glue underneath even after letting it dry for two days initially. Fortunately I have my new barrels already and was able to move to the next stage. If I were to do glue again, I would let it dry much longer than two days or use epoxy as recommended here. I just checked my tumbler after having it ran most of the day and it is moving faster than ever. I'm super pleased. :)
I learned how to tumble rocks watching your videos. And I noticed my Lot-O didn't have the same action as yours. I thought maybe you were very good at having the precise amount of water in the tumbler. Now I know why my vibrating action seems so week. And I now know how to fix it. Thank you👍
Was it working with the action you had? I have always had more action in mine, but honestly I didn't try the new one the way it came. I changed it the next day like you saw in the video.
@@MichiganRocks I did get a shine on the rocks but I feel like everything will be better with more action. I will make the same adjustment you did, tomorrow. I'll let you know if I see any difference.
Thank you for this video, I love that you went step by step and I learned a lot. I love that you do a pros and cons as well. Can't say enough about the great content of your video. I look forward to watching more of your videos!
Really nicely done Rob. I've had my Lot-O tumbler for about a year and I wasn't all that happy with the results and went back to mainly my rotary tumblers. Now I see I need to adjust the dowel on my tumbler. I can't wait to see how it goes after that. Thanks for all your details. You are the Man!
Hi Rob, we love your videos, and have learned a lot from you! Sure wish I had seen this video before mounting my lot I tumbler, I didn’t paint the concrete block. I did lightly sand it and then cleaned it off with alcohol and we used glue as well as the sticky strips, per the instructions. So far so good. But, despite my intention of only using it for stages 2, on, I went ahead and started a fresh load of rocks in stage one. At first I was so impressed. I literally sat for 20 minutes, watching the rocks go around and within a couple hours, I noticed visible changes and already needed to add a few stones. But now, after several 4-6 hour shifts, I’m not noticing very even wear. Some of the stones have perfectly smooth rounded areas but completely rough uneven spots. Other look barely changed, even some super soft Petoskey stones. Could it be because most of the stones are very small? I mainly started this batch to tumble rough chlorastrolite (greenstones) before cabbing, but I definitely didn’t have enough to fill the barrel. So I added Petoskey stones and then I just started adding everything I felt like. Even agates. The softer stones are doing fine, but the harder ones are barely changing. Maybe it’s not full enough. The instruction said it has to be full. How full is full? Full past the flange? Like should they fill the little half-inch round area that sticks up where you put the lid on? (Speaking of the lid, mine kept flying off, so now I’ve been putting a small square of damp paper towel on the opening before fitting the lid on and it stays on for 12 hours even.) Grit. It said to use half a teaspoon. But as you occasionally add more water, should you also add more grit? I know it’s not recommended to use the vibratory tumbler for stage one, but I thought that was because you didn’t want to contaminate the barrel with the coarsest grit. Now I’m wondering if the action of the vibe just doesn’t do a good job with the rough shaping stage. It would be a shame though, as I am so enjoying being able to check on the stones throughout the process, and being able to take them out to grind out certain flaws that come up, rather than having to let the tumbler remove so much material around the entire stone to even them out.
That's a lot to respond to, Lisa, but I definitely have some thoughts and some videos for you to watch. Too many small rocks can be a problem in a rotary tumbler, but I haven't seen them be a problem in a vibratory tumbler. The rocks you're tumbling is definitely a problem. I haven't tumbled chlorastrolite because I don't have much and I'm afraid of grinding too much away. I'd keep it out of the tumbler until you get more experience. I'd then go find one of the Facebook groups dedicated to chlorastrolite and find out what those guys do. Petoskey stones are very difficult to tumble. I would not tumble them with anything else. Here's one way to tumble them: ruclips.net/video/grSlZ835VDo/видео.html I fill my Lot-O right to the top (almost). There's maybe an inch of free space measured down from the very top of the hole. You could do a little less than that, but I typically fill it right up. My lid usually falls off due to a big rock pushing it up. I always loop together about three big rubber bands and use them to hold the lid on. Hook it on the knob on the bottom of the barrel, up over the top and back on the knob from the other side. I use two tablespoons of 220 grit, and then 1/2 teaspoon of 500 aluminum oxide and 1/2 teaspoon of aluminum oxide polish. I never add more grit once a stage has been started. You want the grit to break down over the days it's in there so it might start out at 220 grit but be more like 600 grit by the time that stage is done. When adding water, do it very slowly. You want the rocks to look wet, but not have any standing water in the bottom of the barrel. If it's too wet, the grit will wash of the rocks to the bottom of the barrel where it doesn't do any good. I use a small squirt bottle to add water, I never pour it in unless it's just before doing a clean out. The Lot-O is not good for shaping the rocks. That's why I start my rocks out in the first stage in a rotary tumbler and then move them to the Lot-O later. Here are two videos for you to watch. Watch them, then ask more questions if you still have some. Rotary and Vibratory Tumblers Compared: ruclips.net/video/5V33xUTkmRM/видео.html LSAs in just a Lot-O vs. rotary and Lot-O. ruclips.net/video/Ur8HQ8BUyzY/видео.html
I love my double barrel Lot-O tumbler, I also have a single one as well. I am still learning a lot and have a long way to go to even be half as good as you Rob. Right now my back won't allow me to mess with my tumblers so I'm on hold for a while still. I do have several rocks I need to polish better, because I had bought a cheaper grit. Lesson learned. I have learned so much from you. Thank you so much. Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, you have three Lot-Os (double + single)? That's a lot of space in very fast tumblers. I went the other way and put my money toward a lot of rotary tumblers just to feed one Lot-O. Until about a year ago, one Lot-O was plenty for me. Then again, I'm sort of obsessive about that first stage and getting all the holes out of my rocks so I need more rotary barrels than vibratory barrels.
Yes I have both a single and a double. Most of what I bring home is pretty smooth already. But I do have to let some go longer in the first stage still. I don't always have all my tumblers running at the same time either. I'm down by 2 of my rotary tumblers now as well. The 2 I got from harbor freight both died and in less then a year. So disappointing. I'm hoping to build a larger capacity rotary tumbler this year. I finally get the camper here that I'm turning into my workshop, so now I have to fix it up the way I want it to be. I just need the tumblers out of my tiny home to run them. I have tons of rocks just sitting here that I have collected over the years that need tumbled.
I think I was not too selective in what I brought home in the past years, so I have a lot of sorting to do now. I know I have rocks I just won't tumble or they won't tumble well so I need to weed them out. I am super selective now days on what I bring home. I need to catch up with what I have first. So I guess it's a good thing I couldn't get out much last year. LOL
Hi Rob, I'm glad I found this video today because last night I did some research on vibratory tumblers and decided on this exact model!!! I was wondering if I'd chosen the right one, for me, and then I find your video today, talk about perfect timing!!! Now I can't wait to buy it, get it home and start saving time, money, grit and patience, lol. Great job explaining everything, I will use this video as a guide when my new tumbler arrives. Thanks a lot for all your help!!! Hi Nancy!!! Take care!!! :~D
I've also been concerned over the speed of my rocks in my Lot-O-Tumbler and then here comes Mr. Michigan Rocks who figures it out, just like that. Thanks for the video, Rob, you saved my sanity. Lots of great info, too.
Been running two dual barrel Lot-O tumblers for several years now, the oldest one of the two is starting to see significant reduction in action. I will run two more batches through it and monitor closely. Might need a spring replacement. Will be ordering new springs. Now I do run mine with a less aggressive movement to it due to having it tuned for softer material, and it handles the larger materials just fine. when I get the springs, this will give me an opportunity to test this further. The motor issue that has been running around about these tumblers is disappointing. Hopefully the motor issues will be worked out. Also if you fill the barrel with water for your cleaning cycle, it will be easier to clean them and it will work polish out of any cracks that could be in the stones. And Dawn Dish Soap (the blue stuff) works the best as well, and I have tried many.
I always add some extra water and a squirt of dish detergent about 15 minutes before cleaning out the barrel. I use Palmolive because I can get a bottle for $1.25 at the Buck and a Quarter Store. I haven't experimented with other brands, but that always does the trick for me. I have been running a single barrel Lot-O for about 12 or 13 years. I have never replaced the springs. When my motor when bad, it developed a buzzing sound that lasted several years before it actually died. Next time I replace a motor on either of mine, I'll be using a $30 motor that has been a popular replacement, although, it requires either making a part to install it or cutting part of the frame. Here's one way to do it, but there are other ways too. Just search the Rock Tumbling Hobby forums. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/101420/lot-motor-concrete-video
This video was quite helpful, I recently got the Lot-O vib tumbler and it just was not working as the others I saw in RUclips vids, not as vigorous in movement of the rocks. Then I saw this video and sure enough the dowel was positioned at a slant, not perpendicular to the base, etc. Fixed it and works pretty well now.
I bought a double and it's still in the box, I bought it right before the prices jacked up. A buddy of mine has two or three of these, he changed the caps out because they popped off all the time, replaced with perforated lids, they never pop off now... One day I'll get it set up, so I can tumble obsidian... For now I use my 9 Lortone rotary tumblers ( different sizes).. Thanks for sharing.... PS: This is Fossilman off of RTH....😊👌
Have you had an issue after moving your rod forward with the springs breaking ? I moved mine to what seems to be as far as you had moved yours . The rocks have a better finish, but now I'm breaking springs quite often . I was just wondering if you've had this issue . Thanks
I have not broken springs, but some people told me that if you move the dowel too far and the action is too violent, that's what happens. I'm sorry if I caused a problem for you. I'd move them back some.
I just added a second rod next to the other one and that solved my problem. I don’t know if this will cause any issues but the movement is a lot better!
That's the first I've heard of anyone doing that. It seems like moving the existing dowel to the same place as your second dowel would accomplish the same thing.
@@MichiganRocks it probably would be the same I was scared to disassemble the bolts and move the rod and mess something up. Maybe I’ll eventually move it
@@MichiganRocksso I finally removed the second dowel moved the original and I can’t believe how much better the action in the barrel is! Thanks for the tips!
Followed the link to replacement motors and went with the cement vibrator, works almost to well, going to have to experiment with how much ceramic media to use it definitely moves the rocks more aggressively
You can adjust that motor to work just like the original. I forget which forum post I linked here, but look at this one to see how someone with a ton of experience with a Lot-O adjusted his motor weights: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/101470/finished-batch-watt-concrete-motor
Hi Rob, Thanks so much for this video. It was a lot of help to me. Just a few days ago I finally got around to setting up my single barrel Lot-O Tumbler. After filling it and turning it on (yeah!) my rocks barely moved. They just kind of vibrated a little, like dancing up and down. So first I thought maybe I had the barrel too full, so I removed some of the rocks and ceramics. Going so far as to actually weighing out two pounds of rocks and 1 pound of ceramics. Still barely any movement to the content of my barrel. No standing water in the barrel was to blame for the inaction either. I remembered your video and rewatched it and writing down the measurements for the location of the dowel. Mine was not in that location so after a short trip to my local hardware store for an 1/4" open end wrench (I think that is the only thing that can remove the 2 bolts underneath the motor bracket) and some 3/8" dowel material the next morning. I went about taking the machine off it's baseboard and repositioning the dowel. Good thing I already have a brad nailer and hot glue gun. Finally my rocks are moving with a nice rotation in my barrel. It even seems to me that the motor is not making as much noise as before and also is not getting as hot.
My motor gets plenty hot, so I wouldn't worry about that. I fill my barrel right up to the top, no need to weight anything. I'm glad you've got good action now.
I love my lotto tumbler. I used a stimulus check about a year ago and spent close to $500 for a double lotto tumbler and only used it for the polishing stage and the stones were beautiful. I only used it about 5 times and the motor went on the fritz. The company we got it from wouldn’t do anything for us. My husband looked for months and couldn’t find anyone who had a replacement motor. It also took until last month for him to find a whole new tumbler. Everyone was out of stock. This time we were able to find one at about half the price. 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼I hope this one last longer. If you have any idea where we can get a replacement motor for the first one I would really appreciate it. Thanks for all the great videos. “Happy tumbling!”
I got mine from the Rock Shed. Kingsley North also carries them. I have links to both places in the description of all my videos. That's why they're there. They're both really good companies who are a pleasure to work with.
Hi Cordy, just to piggyback on the information Rob gave you: The Rock Shed's web site indicated for a long time that the Loto motor was out of stock. I finally called them and they had one in stock and mailed to me inside of a week. The Rock Shed is great to work with so give them a call. They will also contact you when an item is restocked.
You are genius and the best. I mentioned to u i recently got one and that for sure it was running slow but thought it was because I had a big rock in it. Can wait to make the adjustment. Thank u sooo much
I'm no genius. I just hung around the Rock Tumbling Hobby forums for years and learned a lot from all the experienced people there. Now I'm just passing it on to others.
Thank goodness for your videos, exactly how mine is running, I'll need to tune it the same as you did, the instructions from the factory now even state that they may need to be tuned to work right, disappointing, since it should be simple to do it right in the first place if someone actually cared about doing a good job. Thanks again for your help Sir.
Any updates as to which vibratory Tumbler you would recommend? Can’t find a lotto tumbler anywhere anyways, Raytech seems to be it and is a lot of plastic which worries me Also, have you ever tumbled agate or geode slices? If so, how thin of a slice can a vibratory tumbler tolerate? I have some slices that I don’t want to take the time to polish with a flat lap, but I’m new to tumbling. If there are crystals, will the process damage them (I’m guessing it would)? Thanks for all of your content and advice!
That's a lot of questions. I was just talking with Shawn from the Rock Shed yesterday. He says that Lot-O has changed their motors again and he has not had as many complaints on the recent machines he's been selling. The issue may be resolved, but I think it's still a little early to tell for sure. I haven't tried any other vibratory tumblers, so I can't recommend anything else. I sent an email to Diamond Pacific asking them to send me a Mini Sonic to try out and followed up with a phone call, but they never even responded to me. I would have loved to give that machine a try. Personally, I'd still buy a Lot-O, but I'd hate to recommend one and then have you get a bad one. Check Kingsley North or the Rock Shed if you decide to get one. There are links in the description. I think they're both getting them in, but slowly. I have not tumbled geode slices, but I have tumbled thin slices of rock in a Lot-O. I'd say the thinnest was 2 mm or maybe less. You can see them in this video: ruclips.net/video/xohUKfhjPkE/видео.html As for your crystal question, a vibratory tumbler will round off the corners a little, but not as much as a rotary tumbler. This might be another good video to watch if you don't know the difference between rotary and vibratory tumblers: ruclips.net/video/5V33xUTkmRM/видео.html
@@MichiganRocks awesome, thanks so much for all of the info!! I have checked both of those sites in the past a couple of times, but they always seem to be sold out! If they’re getting them in slowly, I might just try to keep checking back to see if I get lucky. Thanks again!!
I ordered a Vevor 3Kg tumbler, received it yesterday. I purchased it so I could grind red porous lava rock to its finest sand/dust state to use for fertilizer. I used it once, about a decade ago, and the tomatoes I grew that year were like no other. I am repeating the process, but, instead of obtaining the pulverized lava rock through beating with a hammer, I am using the Vevor tumbler. I found that the mutt rocks I put in with them have had markable improvements in their surface (smoother, far faster than just with any grit I had used before) with less than 18 hours of tumbling. Have you ever tried the garden/house border/grill bed red lava rock as a surfacing device, before? (I am not using grit, just the lava rocks, which should make the silt accumulated completely garden-friendly)
I don't think that tumbler is made for rocks, is it? I just looked at it and it doesn't say anything about tumbling rocks with it, only jewelry. I'd hate for you to ruin it on your first use. I have never tumbled red lava rock at all. I never thought of tumbling anything just to put it in my garden. This is from a guy who once made a video about composting. ruclips.net/video/B7e7iFdrjb8/видео.html
@@MichiganRocks I see what you mean about the site, itself, listing it as a jewelry tumbler. I will use it until I need to replace the barrel, then probably get an old classic model. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. It came up in eBay when I did a rock tumbler search. And, thanks for the composting link. I do similar in composting, my neighbor also burns the leaves.
@@cannedmusic I have a couple people who deliver a lot of leaves to my house. I compost some, but most are aged for a year and a half and then used for mulch on my gardens. By the end of the summer, they've broken down into compost.
Thanks Rob, I moved my dowels too. Made a big difference. Also I was wondering if a cab machine is better than a flat lap or how do choose which one to use? Thanks again
I think a cab machine is way better that a flat lap. With a flat lap, it's hard to see what you're doing. You're looking at the back of the rock or cab. With a cab machine, you can look down between the cab and the wheel and see exactly where you're at. The other thing I like better about a cab machine is it seems to work a lot faster than a flat lap. I have diamond wheels/laps for both machines, but a flat lap just doesn't work very fast. The downside to cab machines is the cost. Both the wheels and the machine itself are much more expensive. Check out my review of the Kingsley North cabber if you missed it: ruclips.net/video/n30aBTu9OkY/видео.html
Thanks Rob, I have a cab king and was thinking about getting a flat lap. I might hold off for a while until I have a real need for one. May be face polishing a nice flat surface.
@@danwellbaum4026 Flat laps aren't as good at that as you might think. At least I have a really hard time doing that. I tend to tip the rock a bit and get the edges more than the middle. Even small flat rocks take a much longer time to polish than a similar size domed rock. You might want to look into a vibrating flat lap for polishing a whole slab or half a rock. There is a learning curve with them, but I think that's a better tool for the job.
Another helpful video, thanks so much! You may have said it and I missed it, but... when using a vibratory, do you still have to separate rocks by hardness? Or does the different type of tumbler eliminate that sorting?
It's still a good idea to tumble rocks of similar hardness together but I think vibratory tumblers are more forgiving. Honestly, I don't have as much experience with rotary tumblers. I do mixed batches of rocks quite often in my Lot-O. Some are beach rocks which I'm sure have somewhat of a range of hardnesses. Most of those turn out fine. I would never mix in rocks known to be really soft with hard rocks though.
@@MichiganRocks thanks Rob! More forgiving, that is the key. Also, last week I happened to watch your "Lot-O from start to finish" video, then yesterday I watched the Lot O review. I had eliminated the Lot O from my wish list because I worried about the noise , but in your review it seems much quieter. Demonstrating the towel, and describing the noise as a hum really brought back my confidence. Lot O is back on my wish list!!
Why did someone think it was a good idea to permanently fix an adjustable calibration device (the dowel)? The whole idea of such things is they can be adjusted to accommodate the operating conditions applicable to the final user. Hot glue is fine, perfectly acceptable even, but nailing it down is just bad design. The average, or first time, user is going to have no idea the dowel is supposed to be adjusted because it appears to be permanently fixed. Good job people like you are out there to inform us! 👍
I agree, but in the manufacture’s defense, they do mention that the dowel can be moved in the instructions. I don’t know if my first Lot-O has nails or not since I have never had to adjust that one.
Hi again. I like the video. Unfortunately I can not afford to buy Lot O Vibrator tumbler and I live in apartment. I need to know if I will be able to get good shiny stones using my KoneStone K2 rotary tumbler alone and do you think it would be good to get a slower tumbler to go with this one? I can get away with the rotating tumblers because they are quiet and do not require concrete block etc.to use. I am relatively new to Rock Tumbling but have always wanted to get into it. Just to keep them and share with friends and family etc. Maybe make some nice necklace or something later. I know this is a lot of stuff I am asking but I like your videos and your experience. So maybe you could help me out here a bit. Suggest good second tumbler if you think I need one etc. Thanks for the great videos too. Peace.
I have no idea if that tumbler is any good, but for that price, I'd suggest getting a Highland Park tumbler. I just reviewed a couple of them and hope to have the video out tomorrow. They have a single barrel model for almost the same price and a double barrel, which is the one I'd actually get. This is an affiliate link, so I'll make a commission if you use it, but it won't cost you extra. They're on sale for 10% off right now and have free shipping. hplapidary.com/collections/rotary-tumblers?ref=ROBERTABRAM
I have a question for you regarding this tumbler, finally found one and bought it, unfortunately after reading your latest warning lol. Got it ready and mounted to the stack like your friend, started it this afternoon, checked it before leaving and I could smell a hot motor smell. The fans are rotating close enough to where they do not rub on the bolts per their instructions, but the motor is to hot to touch, is this normal? I of course turned it off before I left. Tried calling the company but no answer, and I have emailed them. Just curious if you have advice. Love your channel you inspire me in my new hobby
The motor does run hot. That's not unusual. I'm not sure about the smell. I don't remember that, but it might be just because it's new. I wouldn't run it while you're out of the house until you decide if it's safe. I wouldn't be surprised if the smell goes away after a day.
@@MichiganRocks you are absolutely the best guy on you tube, answering my concern so quickly, thankyou is not a strong enough word, but thank you sir, your videos and you help is very appreciated. God bless
Thanks for all the info. If I make a relief in a rock pendant or etch lines into rock using a rotary tool, will the lines and small areas I cut away polish out if I put it through the stages of the rock tumbler? The grit will be enough to polish those crevices?
I doubt it. It's not just the grit that needs to get in there. You need something to rub the grit into those areas. Even rocks with larger concave areas don't tend to polish very well in the concave parts. I once broke up bottles and tumbled the glass. The outsides of the bottles got nice and shiny, but the concave curve on the inside didn't get nearly as shiny.
Hi Rob, I have been using your formula in my Lot O for a good while and am very pleased with the results. Unfortunately, the motor has given out and I am having trouble finding a replacement. Any words of wisdom? Thanks much
Yes. There is a motor that a lot of people are using to replace the original. It only costs about $30, but it takes some work to get it to fit. Some people cut the frame of the Lot-O to get it to fit, but at least one person made a part to make the motor fit without cutting the frame. Here are a couple links to get you started in your research: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/101420/lot-motor-concrete-video forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/106150/motor-swap-cutting-original-frame
This is probably the best video on which to post my major question: I have a 1year old Lot-O that I've been using continuously since I received it. I had to tune it by moving the dowels as you show here and I have good movement. I consistently have problems with the first Lot-O stage. It starts slowing down within a few hours, and I check it often adding water to keep it moving briskly. Invariably however, I end up with little or no movement with all the ceramics in a glob on the bottom, often difficult to remove-sort of a paste embedded with ceramics. Am I adding too much water? I even tried doing this stage with borax added but it doesn't seem to help. Any ideas you might have would be highly appreciated. As an aside, I have not seen anyone who has done more for this hobby than you. There is nothing like learning from and expert who happens to be a gifted teacher as well! Thanks for all you share! One other question-I am enamored with BIF and banded chert. I recently found a ton of BIF in Wakefield, cut it up (tile saw) and am tumbling it now. My question is can you direct me to any beach that contains banded chert because here in SW Michigan I can find it. Thanks again!
Hey Rick, based on the glob of rocks in the bottom of the barrel, I'd say you're not using enough water. Don't add borax in the first stage, it thickens the slurry and just adds to the problem. I occasionally forget to check my Lot-O in the first stage and end up with the exact problem you're describing. You should start with just wet rocks. Give them a few extra squirts of water before you go to bed to get them through the night. When you wake up, check them again. Squirt in enough water to keep them looking wet. I check them two or three times per day. As long as they never get too dry, I don't think you'll have the globbing problem. I find almost all of my banded chert on a beach that has no public access. I find a little of it up on Lake Superior, but it's never as good as the stuff I find in Lake Huron.
Just the info I was looking for, I am getting good results but my rocks never moved like yours did (your old model) I thought maybe the older models were better designed. Another thing to be aware of is the bearings will come loose on the motor, mine lasted about 2 years. The motors are replaceable but be prepared for the price.
Thanks! Looking to get one soon. Question… Rockshed sells rotary grit and vibratory grit. What’s the difference? And can you use stage 2-4 grit/polish interchangeably? I’ll stick to the rotary for stage 1. Thanks again 😊
I don't think there's a difference other than the rotary pack included a coarse grit. Really coarse grit isn't usually used a vibratory tumbler. I do what you are thinking about doing. I do the first stage in the rotary and the other stages in the vibratory. Those last three grits could be used in either type of tumbler.
Thank you Mr. Rob! Very helpful I did buy the double barrel a few months back. Haven’t used it yet. You explained how to weight it down etc…. So well I don’t feel as intimidated. Hopefully (time permitting) I’ll start the process this week!😊
I joined a couple of forums in the last week, the one of FB has a lot of people saying that the Lot-Os they bought in the last year or 2 are breaking, either the motor burning out, or the entire casing snapping, stuff like that. The folks who have had them longer than that say that they love theirs and have had them running almost nonstop for 5 years or more. I'm wondering if they got new management like Boeing did. I don't know if you recall, I while back I pontificated about using a sonic cleaner. I've seen a couple videos now of beautiful looking polish jobs getting put in one after a good thorough cleaning and a white cloud came off of them. Definitely worth the 30 bucks to experiment with.
Based on their website, it doesn't seem like there's new management. But I agree that something seems to have changed in the past few years. Here's their website, although it doesn't say much about the Lot-O tumbler. uncletomsantiquemall.com/?page_id=43
@@andybaldman Good timing with that. The discussion has continued about this in that forum I mentioned, 2 more people had failures since my original post here. Apparently, Lot-O doesn't manufacture their own motors, but buys them from a supplier and they switched suppliers a little while back. Now, that's just going off of what someone said in the forum, I have no verification of that myself, but I know that the person who said it is an old pro at tumbling, so I'll take that on faith.
@@Ken_G. It's a shame when companies cheapen their products to save a few bucks, and try to slide it by customers under the radar. And it completely defeats the purpose when they make the product inferior to the point of causing failures. That's going to cost them far more than the few dollars they were saving by switching suppliers. Maybe the best one could hope for in this case is that someone figures out how to retrofit the inferior parts with available substitutes, if the company doesn't stand behind their own product. But it sounds like they aren't usable as-is, if they're breaking this easily, and they're asking you to readjust the dowel to handicap them (as others have mentioned), so they don't run as hard.
What I've found with this tumbler is that if you don't fill it up enough with rock and especially with ceramic tumbling media, it just won't roll like it's supposed to. So if it looks like yours is just really weakly tumbling, or just sitting and jiggling, check how much stuff you have in there. Ideally you should have about half rocks and half tumbling media, and together they should be nearly to the top, no more than an inch below the top rim. Also, don't try to tumble too many large rocks at the same time. A mix of medium, small, and a couple or three larger rocks works well.
That's right, it does need to be filled up pretty well. I sometimes run it with more than an inch of empty space and it does fine, but I'd rather utilize all the space inside if I can. I don't think you need to have 50% ceramics, but it doesn't hurt to. I'd say for me about 30% is the minimum amount. If I'm tumbling lots of flat things, like Christmas ornaments I make, or cabochons, then I bump the ceramics up to 50% or more.
I’d be interested to see your thoughts on using the harbor freight 18lb vibratory tumbler. I know they make a smaller one, but i think the larger one doesn’t overheat as easily as the smaller one. I’ve been trying to get into rock polishing but i can’t make up my mind if i should buy the tumbler or just make one.
@@MichiganRocks good to know! I can’t find any good vibratory rock tumblers available. I’m thinking of just throwing one together. I have a few ideas. If you wanted to put a vibratory tumbler together, how would you do it?
Thank you again for your videos, bought a Lot O for polishing. Following your advice to the T but polish & borax becomes stuck in bottom of barrel no matter what I do. At first I put all the borax and .5 tsp polish in all at first to avoid the fans, thought it was the reason. Dumped that out and again made sure water was drained as you did, upside down. This time I added the 1Tbl of borax slowly as it was turned on, then added the polish slowly. Nothing... just dry looking rocks tumbling around again with nothing sticking to them, no white slurry at all. I waited a while to make sure it didn't need to mix, nothing... Dumped rocks out second time to find everything stuck in bottom where that indention area is located. Do you have any suggestions? Too wet? Too Dry? Surely I don't need a scientist every time I mix? I used about 1lb ceramic to mix bringing it to an inch from top or so, movement is good. Thanks.
If the movement is good, then there must be something wrong with the amount of water. You should fill it with water right up to the top. Then drain out as much water as you can. Tip it over and let it all drain out. You don't have to let it drain forever, just until the majority of the water is out and then leave it upside down for another ten seconds or so. How long are you waiting before you give up on it? It takes awhile for the slurry to develop. I'd leave it alone at least over night if not 24 hours. By then you should definitely have a slurry developing. Remember, polish is a very, very fine grit, so it's not going to remove hardly any rock like the other stages did. That's why it will take awhile for a slurry to develop.
@@MichiganRocks Gave up both times after about 30min so, that may very well be my issue. The video must be delayed as I thought it would happen immediately since I could see it happening after you poured in the grit and borax. Going to put it back on again today and let you know after 24 update. Thank you so much for the reply. Update:::::: 8 hours later after starting over, it mixed well this time. Hope this helps someone else that may run into this just getting started. The key here was time.... Thanks again.
I did not know that. On a rotary tumbler, I don't see a need for a switch. On the Lot-O, it would be nice though, since you have to turn it off to remove the barrel. With a rotary tumbler, there's no need to turn it off when you're cleaning it out.
Revisiting this video. From my experience (over the past 18 months or so), the Lot-O needs some break in time. It took me about six months to start getting the action I wanted to see in the barrel. I moved the dowel and played with the recipe in the first two months months, but it took much longer to sort of ease into the rhythm I have now. Hard to say what micro-adjustments I made over the last 6-8 months, but it's working perfectly for me now. I struggle a little bit keeping the action going beyond day three with 220, but otherwise everything works well. The Lot-O is a finicky little machine.
That's interesting. I started using my first Lot-O over ten years ago and I think I had good luck right from the beginning. My second Lot-O required the adjustment you saw in this video, but since that, it has been working just like the other one. The action is actually a bit more aggressive than the first one, because I think I moved the dowel just a bit more than I should have. The results I get are the same with both machines though. The 220 stage definitely takes the most babysitting. It grinds the most aggressively and creates the most rock dust, which soaks up water. The water needs to be replenished much more often.
Be careful that you don't move it too far because if the action is too violent, you can break springs. I've heard that replacement springs are about impossible to get right now.
First off thank you so much for the videos it's opened a new world for me. My question is, if you're not recommending the lot o tumblers anymore, what are you recommending now? There are many other types of vibratory tumblers out there but I have no idea which to look at. Thanks again for all the insight on My new hobby!
If it was me, I'd still buy a Lot-O, but I have trouble recommending that other people do the same. I did hear a few months ago from someone who should know that the motor problem may be better now than it was. I can't make any guarantees but hopefully, they're using something a little more reliable now. I don't know what else to recommend. I asked Diamond Pacific to send me a Mini Sonic to review, but they didn't answer my email. I have one friend who says it works great, but takes about twice as long and another friend to who said that it would just make me appreciate how good my Lot-O is. Since they wouldn't send me one, I can't give you my own opinion. I'd also take a look at the Thumler's UV series.
Thanks for the quick reply! I'm going to go ahead and stick to looking for a Lot-o once they become available again at Rock shed or Kingsley. Everybody seems to be out of stock.
Hello Rob, so glad to have been watching, and learning ,and being entertained by your videos. I tuned my Lot O tumbler per your instructions and the movement in the barrel has improved by 100%. On another note, I have a few batches of rock that have metal streaks in them from my original rotary tumble in my Lortone 12 lb barrel. It does not happen not happen every time, so its not the barrel. I have put these rocks aside and have been afraid to move them along due to the streaks. I have has both copper colored streaks and silver streaks from different batches. Any advice about what I can do wit these rocks , and what can be done to prevent this? Thanks much, Mike
I have never gotten streaks like that on my rocks. I wonder if they're coming from your colander. I use plastic colanders, except for the one I use right after the coarse stage. That one doesn't leave streaks either, although it's metal. If they're just streaks of metal on the outside of your rocks, then tumbling them in 220 grit in your Lot-O should easily remove them.
Thanks for the amazing video. Watched while waiting for the Lot-OTumbler to arrive. Ran ceramic first and had little motion. Took your instructions for moving the dowel and that helped. A day after moving the dowel one of the spring bolds sheared, easily replaced. Running first load with 120/220 grit and the load is racing like a banshee. Is too fast a bad thing? Maybe twice the speed of your video. Anxious to see the results. Thanks again for the great info. Gene
I have heard that if you move the dowel too far that it can break springs. I think you have already seen that by shearing a bolt. You should probably tune it while it's running to get the action to be about like how my original machine runs. I wouldn't want it running twice as fast.
Hi, nice video! I am about to buy a vibrating tumbler myself. More importantly, I HAVE THE SAME EXACT TRIM SAW in the background!! Bought it from an old timer. Do you know what brand it is by chance? Mine doesn't have any info on it?? Thx much, keep up the good work!
Thank you for such detailed videos, this one and the one with comparison of two tumblers. I needed this instructions desperately when I bought my first Loto tumbler few months ago and was looking for a good instructions. I ran few batches on it already and was able to get decent polish, but I also noticed how rocks moved slower than what I saw in videos of others. Now I know why - thanks to you. That dowel on my Loto is also in the middle and now I know how to fix it!. But one my question still remains - why the one cannot use loto for the coarse stage? Just run it longer, three-four days maybe? I do have rotary tumbler for that but was just curious why this not even explained anywhere :)
I have never tried a more coarse grit in the Lot-O. I have heard that more coarse grits are too heavy and just fall to the bottom of the barrel. This doesn't grind the rocks and also wears out the bottom of the barrel faster than usual.
Just as an FYI, Since my Lot-O was out of order I found a replacement until I can get a new motor. It is a Ray-Tech TV-5 standard vibratory tumbler that I purchased on Amazon. It is rated for rocks and I have had good success with it. It was reasonably priced and I also purchased additional dedicated bowls for the different grits. I found that doing a burnishing after each grit kept the bowls nice and clean. The covers are clear so you can see the action and the removal is easy to add more water if needed. I looked for a long time and could only find the ones for dry use. I was really happy to find these. At least I could keep on tumbling. Hope this helps someone.
@@MichiganRocks I have never gotten the awesome shine that you have shown in your videos, even in the Lot-O (not as patient as you I guess). I have tried one batch in the Ray-Tech and most came out with a shine that I was very satisfied with. Unfortunately I had a mixture of different hardness and the other part of "the most" were too soft to shine up. I'm still learning. I can say with authority, though. that I really liked the rotating action of the rocks better than I used to get with the Lot-O. Of course I have not been able to try it now that I changed the location of the dowel. That is still to come. Suffice it to say that I have found that the Ray-Tech is worth the money ($89) as a backup to the Lot-O when it's not running and it lets me keep on tumbling. Oh, I forgot to mention that it has an on/off switch, something that I wish the Lot-O had. Thanks for responding.
Hi Rob, I finally received my long-awaited Lot-O, after months on back order... From some of the horror stories I've heard of the motor, I sure hope it lasts. I did find out that moving the dowel towards the barrel did indeed improve the performance. Runs like a champ! Awful of the manufacturer not correcting this & leaving it up to us to fix?! Again, I thank you for your time & great instructional video to correct this problem & others that may arise. Glad we have you as a teacher! Blessings to the family. Go Blue!
I'm glad you finally got one! Both of my newer motors are still running fine, so hopefully yours last too. I've heard rumors that the motors they're currently using might be better.
This video is amazing! So many tips, like the PVC pipe to balance the barrel, not using plastic in the vibratory, the rubber band seat belt, dampness, fill level, and on and on. Thanks for sharing all of your tips from years of using a vibratory tumbler. In combination with the rotary vs. vibratory video I believe you have answered all my questions and musings about tumbling!
I'm glad you found it useful, Maggie. It always make me feel good when I find out I helped someone.
@@MichiganRocks You Should feel good. You help people and bring them joy. Good job, big guy.
Since making this video. I have heard many stories about how quickly the motors on this tumbler die and how horrible the customer service is, that I can no longer recommend it. I don't have a recommendation for a different vibratory tumbler because this is the only one I have ever used. Both of mine are still running, but I think it's only a matter of time before their motors give out. There is some really good information about possible replacement motors discussed here: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/100982/experience-lot-failed-motor?page=1&scrollTo=1253535
I have noticed my motor gets so hot I can’t hold my hand on it. It is only a month old. Is that heat normal?
@@flyingweinerdog Yes, mine gets really hot too. My first motor lasted about ten years. It was quiet at first and developed a buzzing sound over the years. I think that sound was the bearings going bad, because that's what eventually did it in.
@@MichiganRocks Uh-oh... I bought my wife Mary a Lot-O a year ago, and we're mounting it as we speak (Thanks for this video by the way!) I hope the motor doesn't go on us. We lost a National Geographic 3lb tumbler after about 6 months due to that motor dying. It would be a shame to see the Lot-O go too! I wonder if there's any kind of engine oil or something that you can put in there to help it last longer... Hmm.....
@@DavidShockley I don't really know. I don't think those motors come with an oiling hole.
Thank you for addressing this issue.
Thank you for showing the whole process! Since acquiring my Lot-O, I've been thrown off track getting to use it by selling my house and surgery, you know, life! Now that I'm getting back on track this is going to be really helpful. You answered a whole bunch of questions I've had about it. I'm going to watch the video again and take notes this time. The used Lot-O I bought has the dowel set where you recommend and I'll be listening to its sound and will know better about the condition of the motor. I've had a bowl of agates ready for the Lot-O for over a year now. Can't wait to get to it! Thanks again, Rob!
You're welcome, Gwynn. I'm glad your life is getting back to normal and that you're finally going to get those agates done. Good luck!
I appreciate your update on the Lot-O. Your integrity is much appreciated. I can’t wait to see what 2023 will bring from your videos.
I'm curious too. I have a few things planned out, but the rest will be a surprise to me too!
I want to thank you for your informative videos that inspire and use the KISS methods. When I first turned on Utube I had stepped away to fill my coffee cup and heard your voice and my first impression was that you sounded like a teacher. Congratulations. Laura Francis
You caught me. I'm a teacher.
Rob, excellent Lot-O overview video. I will say I purchased my Lot-O a couple of years ago based off of your work. It seems every single Lot-O is slightly different. I didn't fill my block base before painting and mounting and instantly regretted it. The base needs density more than weight for action sake. I placed railroad rail pieces in the block base and that added density helped action tremendously, so I'm glad you filled your holes. I put an old solid rubber doormat under my block between it and the concrete shop floor. Also, I found the use of a fine mesh sink drain strainer helps me drain the water without losing small ceramic pieces between my fingers, it fits over the mouth perfectly. I have a video on it here. I also discovered upon advice from another Lot-O user that my action works best if I give the bowl a slight, less than level, forward towards the motor tilt. Thanks for all your videos!
Hi Lance. One thing that I have noticed is that if you put two of them under your stairs like I did, the noise is more noticeable. You can sort of hear and feel it on the far end of the house upstairs. It's still not loud, but more noticeable than with just one. I have always had a folded up towel under mine. Since buying this second one, I bought some foam blocks designed for noise isolation. They didn't help at all. Now I have bubble wrap wrapped in the towel and placed under the block. I don't think that helped at all, but I left it under there.
I have used the strainer like you mentioned, but I worry that grit will get stuck in the rim around it and contaminate my batch. I drop a few between my fingers, too, but I keep doing it that way because I can be sure my hands are well rinsed.
That's the first I've heard of slanting the barrel. I'll have to try that.
Just had to drop a HUGE thank you for this awesome video on the Lot-O Tumbler! Including the visual of how to move the dowel for better action was a total game-changer! I've watched all your videos more times than I can count, and without you, I'd still be tumbling stones like a complete novice! Your videos seriously "rock"! - please keep them coming! Thanks again for helping me with my skills and for making my rocks shine!
It's getting to be that time of year where I make more tumbling videos.
I have had my Lot-O for a couple of years and never got the motion of your original. Amazed to learn about tuning them! I will adjust the fulcrum point on mine. I bet it makes a huge difference. Thank you!
Good luck, Maria.
I was ready to give up on my Tumbler, have been using it for a year and could not get the rocks to move. watched this video and moved my dowel and now it's like a new tumbler, THANK YOU.
You're welcome, Suzann.
Thank you for making this video! I bought a double barrel last fall. After watching your videos on using it I did notice how different the roll speed was between yours and mine... I was almost to the point where I was getting self conscious about it! One thing I noticed with the double barrel is that over time the fans had come out of alignment thus causing one side to be less vigorous. But anyway, great review!
I have never had my fan weights get out of alignment, but it's good to know it's something to look out for.
I purchased a twin Lot-O-Tumbler in the Spring and ran about 12 loads of stone when I noticed some differences in the tumbling speed compared to your videos and my own machine. The left side tumbled faster than the right side. I also had the left side fan come off during a session while I was asleep. I sent an email to the Lot-O-Tumbler folks with an attached video. The video showed a wobbly spin with the fans and some clicks as the motor came to rest. I also had the same problem as Jared….one weight was in the 6 o’clock position while the other was at the 7-8 o’clock position. I was advised to tighten the metal retaining clip with a pair of pliers and all should be fine.
I tightened the fan clip with the pliers and noticed that the right side was also loose. I tightened both clips achieved a firm grip on both spindles. I ran another load, stopped to change the grit and the tumbler sounded Ike a bucket of bolts for a few second before it froze. It appears that the left side bearing is shot. I wrote back to Lot-O-Tumbler and was advised that replacement motors were out of stock and would not be delivered until mid to late September I checked several vendors and none of them had stock.
I don’t believe I did anything wrong or abusive. Looking back at the events, I think the fans were not properly installed hence the bearing problem. My suggestion to Jared and others it to tighten the fans before you burn out the bearings/motor. Here’s the instructions I received.
“To tighten up the fan on the shaft ,remove the one the moves and tighten or squeeze the metal clip that holds it on reinstall it re align it and should be good.”
I’m out of the 90 day warranty so I don’t know if I’ll get any help from Lot-O-Tumbler. The supply problems are also an issue since the machine will be sidelined until I can find a replacement or substitute. If anyone has some suggestions I’d welcome the help. This machine turned out some beautiful rocks and I’d like to get it running again. My advice to new owners is to check the crimps on the fans since I believe it was an assembly issue.
Neat. It’s always fun to get new toys. That was clever of you to move the dowel. It really worked. It’s a shame that the factory doesn’t calibrate them properly. I’m sure that they have a lot of unnecessary returns because of that. The towel made a big difference in sound. You could barely hear it with the towel. The rocks polished up beautifully. The rock tumbling award that you won is something to be very proud of.
The towel underneath helps a lot, but the machine still makes noise. Don't expect it to be silent.
Moving the dowel wasn't my idea, it's right in the instructions that come with it. I don't feel like it's something that should have to be done very often though.
I'm glad I watched this video. I recently started using a Lot-O twin barrel vibratory tumbler, and I noticed the action didn't seem right (it didn't look like the action I've seen in your other videos). I may need to move the dowel. I'm glad to see others in the comments here have done the same and had positive results.
Just be careful not to move it too far. It can break springs if the action gets too violent.
Thanks!
Wow, thanks, Debbie! That's really generous out you.
I got a Lot O for Christmas and had the same problem. People on the Rock Tumbling Hobby Forum (including you) suggested moving the dowel and it made a big difference. I'm just glad that I knew from watching your videos that mine wasn't adjusted right.
I'm glad you were able to get it figured out. Is the Rock Tumbling Hobby a great place to get good advice?
@@MichiganRocks It is a great place, and seems to be filled with people eager to help with advice and kind words. Not what you would expect from rockhounds who are well known for being mean and ill tempered. :)
@@ricksmith1647 Oops, I meant to say "Isn't RTH a great place". I know it's great.
Thank you so much for putting out this video. I couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t getting the results I wanted. I noticed how the rocks in your Lotto really were moving faster and couldn’t figure out how to make the change. Moving the dowel seems to have made the difference!
Worked for me!
Thank you so much! I recently got a lot-o and mine is adjusted just like yours was and I have seen the same speed. I thought I was the problem. Now I have a project today of adjusting my dowel. Thank again.
You're welcome, I hope it works out well for you.
I bought two of these as part of used lot a while back, that tip about putting epoxy into the dimple at the bottom of the barrel is great, I need to do that. And thank you for showing your process for getting it mounted on the block. I've chewed up rocks by not having mine mounted and know I need to do it, I just wasn't sure what the best way how is. Great content as always, thanks!
To put epoxy in the hole in the bottom, I twirled some epoxy on a stick of wood, like you would do with a honey dipper. Then I lowered it in and just let it drip off into the hole. It has never come out in over ten years.
Hans Beyer
Watched your video on the Lot-O vibratory tumbler review and enjoyed it. I was pleased with some of the information I didn't know like where the dowel is located on mine. I checked and it was like your example. One item that may be worth mentioning in the Cons section, the fact that the motor is warranted for only 30 days. I have to admit I didn't do my homework so I have only me to blame. I purchased my Lot-O last October (2021) and after less than six months the motor was shot. I noticed the noise getting louder and louder so I checked the shaft on the motor. There was considerable play, I could move one side of the shaft up and down, what seemed more than 1/16th of an inch (just a guess). Needless to say I was disappointed. I have tried to locate a replacement but there seems to be no stock. Hopefully that will change soon. Enough complaining. I really like the tumbler, just bummed for my bad luck. Keep up the good videos. I enjoy them and respect the quality of your shiny rocks.
A couple other people have made similar comments about their motors wearing out really quickly. That's definitely a con. Since mine lasted ten years, I was pretty happy. That's my only experience, so that's all I could say.
@@MichiganRocks I have had the same experience of the motors wearing out quickly. From info I have gathered from others, they changed manufactures of the motor and the quality has gone down. I still LOVE my lot-o tumblers!
@@tinawilliams6020 That's really a shame. I'd rather pay a little more up front and avoid the headaches.
Thank you so much for the great video! I am going to try adjusting my wooden dowel tonight on my double barrel since I am not getting as fast of a tumble as others seem to get.
Sadly I have had my single barrel for about a year, and the motor needs to be replaced. Sealed bearing are ruined and local repair shop said that it cannot be fixed, but must be replaced instead.
I LOVE my lot-0 tumbler! WIth my twin lotto, it 's motor went out (bearings went bad) just 80 days after use, but luckily that one was still within the warranty period and Calway/Belt replaced it very quickly for me! Even with the few issues, I absolutely think these are wonderful tumblers!
Thanks for all of the great videos!
Tina
I have gotten a lot of comments on this video about people’s motors going bad after a short time. That’s really disappointing since these are great tumblers otherwise.
Thank you for buying a second vibratory! You solved my question and concern of why my rocks didn't match the speed of yours . It's the poor quality control my dowel rod was way off just like your new one . Moved it today and it was like magic fixed ! Thanks again for your knowledge.
I didn't buy a second Lot-O just for this video, it was because I had too many rocks piling up waiting for the other one. It was a good excuse to make a video about it though. I'm glad I could help you get yours adjusted.
I just bought the double barrel Lot-o because it was only $10 more than buying the single with an extra barrel. It won’t get shipped for a while and the prices have gone up, but I’m excited! Thank you for such helpful content!
For an extra $10, I think that was probably a good move for the extra barrel alone. I'd get enough ceramics to fill the extra barrel and then keep that one for your polish barrel.
I've always wanted to try tumbling and my wife and I just got back from a vacation in Gaspé Quebec, and I was able to stash about 25lbs of rocks in the SUV without too much of a fuss. I was fortunate to find your excellent videos and will be ordering a Lot-O very soon. Thank you for making great videos with clear explanations and information that even a novice can understand.
I'm glad to help. Did you watch the companion video to this, showing the difference between rotary and vibratory tumblers?
Rotary and Vibratory Tumblers Compared: ruclips.net/video/5V33xUTkmRM/видео.html
@@MichiganRocks I did indeed, and it helped me decide which I think I should own. Unfortunately, I was also introduced to the price when I started shopping around. Looks like I'll have to wait awhile before I can spend that much money on something my wife deems frivolous. In the meantime, I'll have to content myself with watching your results, or maybe try the less expensive NG rotary model you tested with decent results. Thanks again for all the great videos and information you provide. I especially enjoy the slide show comparisons.
I cannot thank you enough! Just got a lot o that was running slow, even after I moved the dowel. Then I watched this, and moved it 2cm like u did in video. Perfect!!! Thank u so much
You're welcome. Be careful that you don't move it too far and make the action too vigorous, or you could break the springs.
Hi Rob, I bought a Lot-O recently from Rock Shed, but have not set it up yet, as I am still tumbling in stage 1 in a rotary. I didn't read your new description to this video before making the purchase, lol, so I am hoping the newer Lot-O does not have the problems. It's silly that the manufacturer continues to place the dowel in the wrong position for rock rolling action. I also bought a Raytech TV-5 that I read some good reviews on. They sell a kit for rocks that includes a second bowl (good for Polish stage). The Raytech does not require being mounted on a heavy block of concrete, which is a pro in my mind. Eventually, I will be able to evaluate each vibratory tumbler. Lots of patience needed in stage one rotary, lol. Thanks for your videos! They are very helpful.
I hope you get the chance to review the mini-sonic from Diamond Pacific. It's kind of expensive but looks to have some decent configuration options. I especially like the idea of being able to adjust the vibration speed.
There are some good threads on the Rock Tumbling Hobby forums (forum.rocktumblinghobby.com) on how to replace the motor with a $30 motor that works as well as the original motor.
I asked DP to give me a Mini Sonic to review, but they wouldn't answer my email, even when I followed up with a phone call. I would have liked to review that, but I don't really need another tumbler and the price was too high to justify buying one just to do a review of it.
Hey Rob I just ordered a New Lotto tumbler. I am glad you showed the potential problems I might have, that will definitely help me out! Thanks
I think you'll love it. I sure love mine!
@@MichiganRocks I am sure I will I love the way your rocks shine.
I’m so glad I watched this! The action on my Lot-O never seemed very good but I could never figure out why.
You’re dowel trick worked like a charm!
Thanks for making these videos!
I'm glad to help, Marc!
Thats really awesome to know your channel , and i really appreciate your video about Lot-O Vibratory rock tumbler review, It's good to know all rock tumblers Thanks for showing us. Have a beautiful day !!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
Awesome review here Rob, I really appreciate this. It's good to know all the tips and tricks about it. Thanks for showing us the setup and a sample batch.
I'm glad you found it useful, Nicolas.
Thank you! I have run one course of polishing like you demonstrate in this video through a new double barrel Lot-O. It was a struggle because I couldn't get an active enough rotation within the barrel. I paused the video at 18:35 and went to the garage to measure the location of my dowel. It's 3 cm from the inside screw, and one side is even a little more: the dowel isn't parallel with the frame. I'm going to take the measures you did and see if I can get that rolling rotation like you did. Thanks again for making such a helpful video. I really believe the Lot-O tumbler is a superior tool --- once you get it tuned in.
With my first one, I didn't have to do anything to it, it just worked right away. It's a great tumbler. I use it on almost every batch of rocks I do.
Great review! I learned that I have been pushing the barrel too far down into the frame. Thanks...
Glad to help, Dan.
Thanks for the tip. I had already called the lot-o factory and spoke to Tom. He said they are all "carefully calibrated" at the factory. LOL. A little movement of the dowell makes a real difference.
Maybe their idea of how they should be calibrated is different than mine. I like how mine is running now.
Just got my twin barrel Lot-O, used it twice so far following your steps, and one barrel works like your old machine, whilst the other barrel does not. After checking the dowel placement, the good side is 2cm like yours, the side not moving so well is actually more like 3cm. Made the adjustment but have not ran it yet as I only have enough rock to go in the 1 barrel. Waiting on some 46/70 rough stock to get done in my rotary barrels so I can fill my 2nd Lot-O barrel with 220 rocks and see how it works. My machine actually has the rear plate that covers the fan motors and fans, so it doesn't blow anything back up at me. In your video it looks like yours doesn't cover them up, hence why you have to shield your eyes. Guessing they made that improvement at least.
I've never actually had it blow anything back at me, but those fans make me nervous. Tumbling grit has to be about the worst thing that you could get in your eyes.
Wow and wow, I have used a Lot o tumbler and am glad to get two years out of a motor! Unfortunately motors are not covered under warranty! My lot o has sounded like a machine gun since new, and indeed the dowel was closer to center between the two reference points, I just “corrected” the dowel position, amazing change to the hum I was always wanting, and yes the rocks and media still rotate about the same, I strongly suspect the wear and tear on the bearings will be different with the smoother operation. FYI I mounted an outlet box on the extended wood plank that was lag bolted to my cinder block with lot o base attached securely to the plank. The 4x outlet box affords two outlets beside a light switch, very convenient. Also a flat 1” piece of board insulation on the bottom of the cinder block makes a quiet installation and does not allow the project to walk. Many many thanks!
Thanks for the tips! I can't remember if I showed it in the video, but I have a folded hand towel under the block to keep mine a little quieter.
I’m so glad you posted this!! I’ve had a double barrel Lot O Tumbler for the last couple of years and stage one has always been very slow. I’ve wasted more than one batch of grit thinking there wasn’t enough water, but ended up adding too much. I will have to check the position of my dowel. I’ve always wondered why I didn’t have that “Michigan Rocks “ shine lol. Thx Rob!!
I suspect that there are a lot of people in your situation based on the comments I've read in some forums. How would you even know if you had never seen one working correctly?
@@MichiganRocks exactly, this video is a great help. Thx again!! I always enjoy your videos. Maybe someday when the border opens and things are safer, we can do a colab. I’m in Sault, Ontario
@@RockAndRollRockhound I have tentative plans to meet up with someone else up in your area, but I'm not sure of the details yet. I just watched one of your videos and it looks gorgeous up there. Of course our side of the lake is pretty awesome too.
@@MichiganRocks there are some beautiful spots for sure. If you do come this way, let me know. 😁
Thank you for putting out this video.
I couldn't figure out why I wasn't getting the results I wanted.
Moving the dowel seems to
have made a huge difference! 🙂
I'm glad I could help!
Thank you Rob! Mine hasn’t been moving well since I got it, just watched this video and now know what I need to do. As always, thanks for the educational videos!
No problem, I enjoy helping people out.
After putting it off and putting it off, last night I decided to move the dowel on my double barrel Lot-O tumbler and I’m super happy with the results! My 220 stage was always a nightmare, barely moved, and usually ended up adding too much water. It runs perfect now, and can’t wait to get through the other stages. Thanks Rob, you rock!! Ric
I'm glad it worked out well for you, Ric.
I am new to tumbling. :) This video was a Godsend for me as they all seem to be! I have an older Lot-O Vibratory tumbler that I bought probably close to 25 years ago at a garage sale. I have never plugged it in until now. Other than a broken spring and a missing cap it seemed like everything is operating fine. I did not realize how the rocks should be moving inside the barrel until I watched this video. Unfortunately the website for this tumbler seems to be out of stock of many things including the spring I needed. I was able to get a cap though. I just happen to have a 3" x 5/8" mending brace that I bought from Menards a few years ago. I wasn't sure if it was going to work because it is more stiff(thicker) than the original spring. The holes lined up perfectly and I installed it anyway just to see if it would work. I also filled the pit at the bottom of the barrel with clear Gorilla glue and replaced the dowel. I started a batch today and "Wallah" it's moving fantastic! I'm still not sure if the glue will help or hinder because the one batch I ran after I filled the pit with glue ended up becoming a big clump at the bottom and I have not had the happen before, even with a broken spring. I'll know in the next day or two if the glue has been a help or hindrance. I ordered two more barrels so that I can have one for each phase. So if I have to remove the glue it will not be a big deal. Thank you for putting together such fantastic helpful videos and congratulations on the first place win of your young student. That's inspiring. :)
That information about the spring replacement might come in handy for some other people. I have heard that they're not able to get springs from the spring manufacturer right now. It's nice to know that there's an alternative.
I used epoxy to fill in the holes of the original barrel. If your Gorilla Glue doesn't work, give that a try. Doesn't Gorilla Glue expand as it dries? I'd think that could be a problem. Epoxy doesn't do that.
@@MichiganRocks There is a Gorilla glue that expands. The one that I used did not. I used the clear version and let it dry for a few days. The front of the bottle says 'no foam' and 'water resistant'. So far so good with this batch. I did a couple of spritzes of water this morning. Tomorrow I will remove the rocks and update what the bottom of my barrel looks like. :)
@@mrsluvtolearn Oh, ok, I didn't know there was another kind. That type sounds like what you want.
I updated this this morning but it disappeared for some reason. Here goes again. :) The bottom of my barrel did have a slight clump, not as big as the last one but still there. I popped out the glue just by pushing in the nub on the outside only to find out that there was still a bit of wet glue underneath even after letting it dry for two days initially. Fortunately I have my new barrels already and was able to move to the next stage. If I were to do glue again, I would let it dry much longer than two days or use epoxy as recommended here. I just checked my tumbler after having it ran most of the day and it is moving faster than ever. I'm super pleased. :)
I learned how to tumble rocks watching your videos. And I noticed my Lot-O didn't have the same action as yours. I thought maybe you were very good at having the precise amount of water in the tumbler. Now I know why my vibrating action seems so week. And I now know how to fix it.
Thank you👍
Was it working with the action you had? I have always had more action in mine, but honestly I didn't try the new one the way it came. I changed it the next day like you saw in the video.
@@MichiganRocks
I did get a shine on the rocks but I feel like everything will be better with more action. I will make the same adjustment you did, tomorrow.
I'll let you know if I see any difference.
@@virginiarockhead237 Good luck!
Thanks Rob, I had to adjust my new Loto-O tumbler based on this video, now its running like a champ.
I'm glad I could help.
Thank you for this video, I love that you went step by step and I learned a lot. I love that you do a pros and cons as well. Can't say enough about the great content of your video. I look forward to watching more of your videos!
There are plenty to watch. I hope you like the other ones too.
Really nicely done Rob. I've had my Lot-O tumbler for about a year and I wasn't all that happy with the results and went back to mainly my rotary tumblers. Now I see I need to adjust the dowel on my tumbler. I can't wait to see how it goes after that. Thanks for all your details. You are the Man!
I find the Lot-O much easier to use to get a really good shine. I think you'll like yours if you get it tuned in and learn how to use it.
Hi Rob, we love your videos, and have learned a lot from you! Sure wish I had seen this video before mounting my lot I tumbler, I didn’t paint the concrete block. I did lightly sand it and then cleaned it off with alcohol and we used glue as well as the sticky strips, per the instructions. So far so good. But, despite my intention of only using it for stages 2, on, I went ahead and started a fresh load of rocks in stage one. At first I was so impressed. I literally sat for 20 minutes, watching the rocks go around and within a couple hours, I noticed visible changes and already needed to add a few stones. But now, after several 4-6 hour shifts, I’m not noticing very even wear. Some of the stones have perfectly smooth rounded areas but completely rough uneven spots. Other look barely changed, even some super soft Petoskey stones.
Could it be because most of the stones are very small? I mainly started this batch to tumble rough chlorastrolite (greenstones) before cabbing, but I definitely didn’t have enough to fill the barrel. So I added Petoskey stones and then I just started adding everything I felt like. Even agates. The softer stones are doing fine, but the harder ones are barely changing.
Maybe it’s not full enough. The instruction said it has to be full. How full is full? Full past the flange? Like should they fill the little half-inch round area that sticks up where you put the lid on? (Speaking of the lid, mine kept flying off, so now I’ve been putting a small square of damp paper towel on the opening before fitting the lid on and it stays on for 12 hours even.)
Grit. It said to use half a teaspoon. But as you occasionally add more water, should you also add more grit?
I know it’s not recommended to use the vibratory tumbler for stage one, but I thought that was because you didn’t want to contaminate the barrel with the coarsest grit. Now I’m wondering if the action of the vibe just doesn’t do a good job with the rough shaping stage. It would be a shame though, as I am so enjoying being able to check on the stones throughout the process, and being able to take them out to grind out certain flaws that come up, rather than having to let the tumbler remove so much material around the entire stone to even them out.
That's a lot to respond to, Lisa, but I definitely have some thoughts and some videos for you to watch.
Too many small rocks can be a problem in a rotary tumbler, but I haven't seen them be a problem in a vibratory tumbler. The rocks you're tumbling is definitely a problem. I haven't tumbled chlorastrolite because I don't have much and I'm afraid of grinding too much away. I'd keep it out of the tumbler until you get more experience. I'd then go find one of the Facebook groups dedicated to chlorastrolite and find out what those guys do.
Petoskey stones are very difficult to tumble. I would not tumble them with anything else. Here's one way to tumble them: ruclips.net/video/grSlZ835VDo/видео.html
I fill my Lot-O right to the top (almost). There's maybe an inch of free space measured down from the very top of the hole. You could do a little less than that, but I typically fill it right up. My lid usually falls off due to a big rock pushing it up. I always loop together about three big rubber bands and use them to hold the lid on. Hook it on the knob on the bottom of the barrel, up over the top and back on the knob from the other side.
I use two tablespoons of 220 grit, and then 1/2 teaspoon of 500 aluminum oxide and 1/2 teaspoon of aluminum oxide polish. I never add more grit once a stage has been started. You want the grit to break down over the days it's in there so it might start out at 220 grit but be more like 600 grit by the time that stage is done.
When adding water, do it very slowly. You want the rocks to look wet, but not have any standing water in the bottom of the barrel. If it's too wet, the grit will wash of the rocks to the bottom of the barrel where it doesn't do any good. I use a small squirt bottle to add water, I never pour it in unless it's just before doing a clean out.
The Lot-O is not good for shaping the rocks. That's why I start my rocks out in the first stage in a rotary tumbler and then move them to the Lot-O later. Here are two videos for you to watch. Watch them, then ask more questions if you still have some.
Rotary and Vibratory Tumblers Compared: ruclips.net/video/5V33xUTkmRM/видео.html
LSAs in just a Lot-O vs. rotary and Lot-O. ruclips.net/video/Ur8HQ8BUyzY/видео.html
I love my double barrel Lot-O tumbler, I also have a single one as well. I am still learning a lot and have a long way to go to even be half as good as you Rob. Right now my back won't allow me to mess with my tumblers so I'm on hold for a while still. I do have several rocks I need to polish better, because I had bought a cheaper grit. Lesson learned. I have learned so much from you. Thank you so much. Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, you have three Lot-Os (double + single)? That's a lot of space in very fast tumblers. I went the other way and put my money toward a lot of rotary tumblers just to feed one Lot-O. Until about a year ago, one Lot-O was plenty for me. Then again, I'm sort of obsessive about that first stage and getting all the holes out of my rocks so I need more rotary barrels than vibratory barrels.
Yes I have both a single and a double. Most of what I bring home is pretty smooth already. But I do have to let some go longer in the first stage still. I don't always have all my tumblers running at the same time either. I'm down by 2 of my rotary tumblers now as well. The 2 I got from harbor freight both died and in less then a year. So disappointing. I'm hoping to build a larger capacity rotary tumbler this year. I finally get the camper here that I'm turning into my workshop, so now I have to fix it up the way I want it to be. I just need the tumblers out of my tiny home to run them. I have tons of rocks just sitting here that I have collected over the years that need tumbled.
I think I was not too selective in what I brought home in the past years, so I have a lot of sorting to do now. I know I have rocks I just won't tumble or they won't tumble well so I need to weed them out. I am super selective now days on what I bring home. I need to catch up with what I have first. So I guess it's a good thing I couldn't get out much last year. LOL
@@donnalantz7981 Sounds like you're going to be busy!
Keeps me out of trouble. LOL
That looks like a fun process, I can see why you enjoy it so much.
It is fun. I enjoy the process and the transformation almost more that the finished product.
Hi Rob, I'm glad I found this video today because last night I did some research on vibratory tumblers and decided on this exact model!!! I was wondering if I'd chosen the right one, for me, and then I find your video today, talk about perfect timing!!! Now I can't wait to buy it, get it home and start saving time, money, grit and patience, lol. Great job explaining everything, I will use this video as a guide when my new tumbler arrives. Thanks a lot for all your help!!! Hi Nancy!!! Take care!!! :~D
Hey Suzie, I think you'll really like the Lot-O. I'm glad I could help you with your decision.
What an interesting process, the polished rocks are stunning.
That's what I love about this tumbler.
fantastic tip to adjust the dowl rod for better vibration.
Don't adjust it too far, though. If you make it too aggressive, you'll break springs.
I've also been concerned over the speed of my rocks in my Lot-O-Tumbler and then here comes Mr. Michigan Rocks who figures it out, just like that. Thanks for the video, Rob, you saved my sanity. Lots of great info, too.
I'm glad to keep you from going crazy, Steve!
Been running two dual barrel Lot-O tumblers for several years now, the oldest one of the two is starting to see significant reduction in action. I will run two more batches through it and monitor closely. Might need a spring replacement. Will be ordering new springs. Now I do run mine with a less aggressive movement to it due to having it tuned for softer material, and it handles the larger materials just fine. when I get the springs, this will give me an opportunity to test this further. The motor issue that has been running around about these tumblers is disappointing. Hopefully the motor issues will be worked out. Also if you fill the barrel with water for your cleaning cycle, it will be easier to clean them and it will work polish out of any cracks that could be in the stones. And Dawn Dish Soap (the blue stuff) works the best as well, and I have tried many.
I always add some extra water and a squirt of dish detergent about 15 minutes before cleaning out the barrel. I use Palmolive because I can get a bottle for $1.25 at the Buck and a Quarter Store. I haven't experimented with other brands, but that always does the trick for me.
I have been running a single barrel Lot-O for about 12 or 13 years. I have never replaced the springs. When my motor when bad, it developed a buzzing sound that lasted several years before it actually died. Next time I replace a motor on either of mine, I'll be using a $30 motor that has been a popular replacement, although, it requires either making a part to install it or cutting part of the frame. Here's one way to do it, but there are other ways too. Just search the Rock Tumbling Hobby forums. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/101420/lot-motor-concrete-video
I just did the "Rob mod" on my LotO and it improved significantly!! Thanks for being the test subject for us all! :)
Hope it works out well for you.
This video was quite helpful, I recently got the Lot-O vib tumbler and it just was not working as the others I saw in RUclips vids, not as vigorous in movement of the rocks. Then I saw this video and sure enough the dowel was positioned at a slant, not perpendicular to the base, etc. Fixed it and works pretty well now.
Great, I'm glad you have it figured out. These machines are awesome when they're well tuned and the motor is working.
I bought a double and it's still in the box, I bought it right before the prices jacked up.
A buddy of mine has two or three of these, he changed the caps out because they popped off all the time, replaced with perforated lids, they never pop off now...
One day I'll get it set up, so I can tumble obsidian...
For now I use my 9 Lortone rotary tumblers ( different sizes)..
Thanks for sharing....
PS: This is Fossilman off of RTH....😊👌
Hey Mike, this comment came through blank. That's been happening a fair amount lately. I contacted RUclips about it, but they were not very helpful.
Have you had an issue after moving your rod forward with the springs breaking ? I moved mine to what seems to be as far as you had moved yours . The rocks have a better finish, but now I'm breaking springs quite often . I was just wondering if you've had this issue . Thanks
I have not broken springs, but some people told me that if you move the dowel too far and the action is too violent, that's what happens. I'm sorry if I caused a problem for you. I'd move them back some.
@Michigan Rocks you by no means caused any problems. It's all a trial and error game till you find a happy medium. Thanks
I just added a second rod next to the other one and that solved my problem. I don’t know if this will cause any issues but the movement is a lot better!
That's the first I've heard of anyone doing that. It seems like moving the existing dowel to the same place as your second dowel would accomplish the same thing.
@@MichiganRocks it probably would be the same I was scared to disassemble the bolts and move the rod and mess something up. Maybe I’ll eventually move it
@@MichiganRocksso I finally removed the second dowel moved the original and I can’t believe how much better the action in the barrel is! Thanks for the tips!
@@outdoorsmorgasbord3036 You're welcome!
@@MichiganRocks would love to send you some agate and jasper from Utah to thank you!
Followed the link to replacement motors and went with the cement vibrator, works almost to well, going to have to experiment with how much ceramic media to use it definitely moves the rocks more aggressively
You can adjust that motor to work just like the original. I forget which forum post I linked here, but look at this one to see how someone with a ton of experience with a Lot-O adjusted his motor weights: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/101470/finished-batch-watt-concrete-motor
Hi Rob,
Thanks so much for this video. It was a lot of help to me.
Just a few days ago I finally got around to setting up my single barrel Lot-O Tumbler. After filling it and turning it on (yeah!) my rocks barely moved. They just kind of vibrated a little, like dancing up and down. So first I thought maybe I had the barrel too full, so I removed some of the rocks and ceramics. Going so far as to actually weighing out two pounds of rocks and 1 pound of ceramics. Still barely any movement to the content of my barrel. No standing water in the barrel was to blame for the inaction either.
I remembered your video and rewatched it and writing down the measurements for the location of the dowel. Mine was not in that location so after a short trip to my local hardware store for an 1/4" open end wrench (I think that is the only thing that can remove the 2 bolts underneath the motor bracket) and some 3/8" dowel material the next morning. I went about taking the machine off it's baseboard and repositioning the dowel. Good thing I already have a brad nailer and hot glue gun.
Finally my rocks are moving with a nice rotation in my barrel.
It even seems to me that the motor is not making as much noise as before and also is not getting as hot.
My motor gets plenty hot, so I wouldn't worry about that. I fill my barrel right up to the top, no need to weight anything. I'm glad you've got good action now.
Your channel is amazing!! Thank you so much for all of your wisdom!! ❤😊😊😊😊
You're welcome!
Another great video! Thanks again for all the information!
You're welcome!
I love my lotto tumbler. I used a stimulus check about a year ago and spent close to $500 for a double lotto tumbler and only used it for the polishing stage and the stones were beautiful. I only used it about 5 times and the motor went on the fritz. The company we got it from wouldn’t do anything for us. My husband looked for months and couldn’t find anyone who had a replacement motor. It also took until last month for him to find a whole new tumbler. Everyone was out of stock. This time we were able to find one at about half the price. 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼I hope this one last longer. If you have any idea where we can get a replacement motor for the first one I would really appreciate it. Thanks for all the great videos. “Happy tumbling!”
I got mine from the Rock Shed. Kingsley North also carries them. I have links to both places in the description of all my videos. That's why they're there. They're both really good companies who are a pleasure to work with.
Hi Cordy, just to piggyback on the information Rob gave you: The Rock Shed's web site indicated for a long time that the Loto motor was out of stock. I finally called them and they had one in stock and mailed to me inside of a week. The Rock Shed is great to work with so give them a call. They will also contact you when an item is restocked.
You are genius and the best. I mentioned to u i recently got one and that for sure it was running slow but thought it was because I had a big rock in it. Can wait to make the adjustment. Thank u sooo much
I'm no genius. I just hung around the Rock Tumbling Hobby forums for years and learned a lot from all the experienced people there. Now I'm just passing it on to others.
Thank goodness for your videos, exactly how mine is running, I'll need to tune it the same as you did, the instructions from the factory now even state that they may need to be tuned to work right, disappointing, since it should be simple to do it right in the first place if someone actually cared about doing a good job.
Thanks again for your help Sir.
I think the instructions always had the method for tuning it. That's not new, what is new is that they tend to come untuned.
Thanks, Rob! Lots of useful information and tips!
Walnut shells make a nice finish too. I used that to polish brass.
I know people use walnut shells, but I have not used them myself. I have only used corn cob for dry tumbling.
Any updates as to which vibratory Tumbler you would recommend? Can’t find a lotto tumbler anywhere anyways, Raytech seems to be it and is a lot of plastic which worries me
Also, have you ever tumbled agate or geode slices? If so, how thin of a slice can a vibratory tumbler tolerate? I have some slices that I don’t want to take the time to polish with a flat lap, but I’m new to tumbling. If there are crystals, will the process damage them (I’m guessing it would)? Thanks for all of your content and advice!
That's a lot of questions. I was just talking with Shawn from the Rock Shed yesterday. He says that Lot-O has changed their motors again and he has not had as many complaints on the recent machines he's been selling. The issue may be resolved, but I think it's still a little early to tell for sure. I haven't tried any other vibratory tumblers, so I can't recommend anything else. I sent an email to Diamond Pacific asking them to send me a Mini Sonic to try out and followed up with a phone call, but they never even responded to me. I would have loved to give that machine a try. Personally, I'd still buy a Lot-O, but I'd hate to recommend one and then have you get a bad one. Check Kingsley North or the Rock Shed if you decide to get one. There are links in the description. I think they're both getting them in, but slowly.
I have not tumbled geode slices, but I have tumbled thin slices of rock in a Lot-O. I'd say the thinnest was 2 mm or maybe less. You can see them in this video: ruclips.net/video/xohUKfhjPkE/видео.html
As for your crystal question, a vibratory tumbler will round off the corners a little, but not as much as a rotary tumbler. This might be another good video to watch if you don't know the difference between rotary and vibratory tumblers: ruclips.net/video/5V33xUTkmRM/видео.html
@@MichiganRocks awesome, thanks so much for all of the info!! I have checked both of those sites in the past a couple of times, but they always seem to be sold out! If they’re getting them in slowly, I might just try to keep checking back to see if I get lucky. Thanks again!!
I ordered a Vevor 3Kg tumbler, received it yesterday. I purchased it so I could grind red porous lava rock to its finest sand/dust state to use for fertilizer. I used it once, about a decade ago, and the tomatoes I grew that year were like no other. I am repeating the process, but, instead of obtaining the pulverized lava rock through beating with a hammer, I am using the Vevor tumbler. I found that the mutt rocks I put in with them have had markable improvements in their surface (smoother, far faster than just with any grit I had used before) with less than 18 hours of tumbling. Have you ever tried the garden/house border/grill bed red lava rock as a surfacing device, before? (I am not using grit, just the lava rocks, which should make the silt accumulated completely garden-friendly)
I don't think that tumbler is made for rocks, is it? I just looked at it and it doesn't say anything about tumbling rocks with it, only jewelry. I'd hate for you to ruin it on your first use.
I have never tumbled red lava rock at all. I never thought of tumbling anything just to put it in my garden. This is from a guy who once made a video about composting. ruclips.net/video/B7e7iFdrjb8/видео.html
@@MichiganRocks I see what you mean about the site, itself, listing it as a jewelry tumbler. I will use it until I need to replace the barrel, then probably get an old classic model. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. It came up in eBay when I did a rock tumbler search.
And, thanks for the composting link. I do similar in composting, my neighbor also burns the leaves.
@@cannedmusic I have a couple people who deliver a lot of leaves to my house. I compost some, but most are aged for a year and a half and then used for mulch on my gardens. By the end of the summer, they've broken down into compost.
Thanks for all the great information!!! I need to start tumbling some of my rocks !
Keep rockin!!👍😎
Yep, they're not going to tumble themselves!
Thanks Rob, I moved my dowels too. Made a big difference. Also I was wondering if a cab machine is better than a flat lap or how do choose which one to use? Thanks again
I think a cab machine is way better that a flat lap.
With a flat lap, it's hard to see what you're doing. You're looking at the back of the rock or cab. With a cab machine, you can look down between the cab and the wheel and see exactly where you're at.
The other thing I like better about a cab machine is it seems to work a lot faster than a flat lap. I have diamond wheels/laps for both machines, but a flat lap just doesn't work very fast.
The downside to cab machines is the cost. Both the wheels and the machine itself are much more expensive.
Check out my review of the Kingsley North cabber if you missed it: ruclips.net/video/n30aBTu9OkY/видео.html
Thanks Rob, I have a cab king and was thinking about getting a flat lap. I might hold off for a while until I have a real need for one. May be face polishing a nice flat surface.
@@danwellbaum4026 Flat laps aren't as good at that as you might think. At least I have a really hard time doing that. I tend to tip the rock a bit and get the edges more than the middle. Even small flat rocks take a much longer time to polish than a similar size domed rock.
You might want to look into a vibrating flat lap for polishing a whole slab or half a rock. There is a learning curve with them, but I think that's a better tool for the job.
Another helpful video, thanks so much! You may have said it and I missed it, but... when using a vibratory, do you still have to separate rocks by hardness? Or does the different type of tumbler eliminate that sorting?
It's still a good idea to tumble rocks of similar hardness together but I think vibratory tumblers are more forgiving. Honestly, I don't have as much experience with rotary tumblers. I do mixed batches of rocks quite often in my Lot-O. Some are beach rocks which I'm sure have somewhat of a range of hardnesses. Most of those turn out fine. I would never mix in rocks known to be really soft with hard rocks though.
@@MichiganRocks thanks Rob! More forgiving, that is the key. Also, last week I happened to watch your "Lot-O from start to finish" video, then yesterday I watched the Lot O review. I had eliminated the Lot O from my wish list because I worried about the noise , but in your review it seems much quieter. Demonstrating the towel, and describing the noise as a hum really brought back my confidence. Lot O is back on my wish list!!
@@jazzy1849 Since adding a second Lot-O, it's more noticeable upstairs. It does make noise, just a steady noise.
Why did someone think it was a good idea to permanently fix an adjustable calibration device (the dowel)? The whole idea of such things is they can be adjusted to accommodate the operating conditions applicable to the final user. Hot glue is fine, perfectly acceptable even, but nailing it down is just bad design. The average, or first time, user is going to have no idea the dowel is supposed to be adjusted because it appears to be permanently fixed. Good job people like you are out there to inform us! 👍
I agree, but in the manufacture’s defense, they do mention that the dowel can be moved in the instructions. I don’t know if my first Lot-O has nails or not since I have never had to adjust that one.
Thanks for the info, don't have a vibratory tumbler...yet!
Hi again. I like the video. Unfortunately I can not afford to buy Lot O Vibrator tumbler and I live in apartment. I need to know if I will be able to get good shiny stones using my KoneStone K2 rotary tumbler alone and do you think it would be good to get a slower tumbler to go with this one? I can get away with the rotating tumblers because they are quiet and do not require concrete block etc.to use. I am relatively new to Rock Tumbling but have always wanted to get into it. Just to keep them and share with friends and family etc. Maybe make some nice necklace or something later. I know this is a lot of stuff I am asking but I like your videos and your experience. So maybe you could help me out here a bit. Suggest good second tumbler if you think I need one etc. Thanks for the great videos too. Peace.
I have no idea if that tumbler is any good, but for that price, I'd suggest getting a Highland Park tumbler. I just reviewed a couple of them and hope to have the video out tomorrow. They have a single barrel model for almost the same price and a double barrel, which is the one I'd actually get. This is an affiliate link, so I'll make a commission if you use it, but it won't cost you extra. They're on sale for 10% off right now and have free shipping. hplapidary.com/collections/rotary-tumblers?ref=ROBERTABRAM
I have a question for you regarding this tumbler, finally found one and bought it, unfortunately after reading your latest warning lol.
Got it ready and mounted to the stack like your friend, started it this afternoon, checked it before leaving and I could smell a hot motor smell.
The fans are rotating close enough to where they do not rub on the bolts per their instructions, but the motor is to hot to touch, is this normal?
I of course turned it off before I left.
Tried calling the company but no answer, and I have emailed them.
Just curious if you have advice.
Love your channel you inspire me in my new hobby
The motor does run hot. That's not unusual. I'm not sure about the smell. I don't remember that, but it might be just because it's new. I wouldn't run it while you're out of the house until you decide if it's safe. I wouldn't be surprised if the smell goes away after a day.
@@MichiganRocks you are absolutely the best guy on you tube, answering my concern so quickly, thankyou is not a strong enough word, but thank you sir, your videos and you help is very appreciated. God bless
@@mikek4443 You're welcome. A lot of people answered my questions when I was first starting out. I don't mind paying it forward.
Great Information on your channel. Thank you so much!
You're welcome, Ryan.
Thanks for all the info. If I make a relief in a rock pendant or etch lines into rock using a rotary tool, will the lines and small areas I cut away polish out if I put it through the stages of the rock tumbler? The grit will be enough to polish those crevices?
I doubt it. It's not just the grit that needs to get in there. You need something to rub the grit into those areas. Even rocks with larger concave areas don't tend to polish very well in the concave parts. I once broke up bottles and tumbled the glass. The outsides of the bottles got nice and shiny, but the concave curve on the inside didn't get nearly as shiny.
Very cool! The jasper and stone crosses came out really shiny and beautiful! 😍🥰😇👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Of course they did! I owe it all to this tumbler.
@@MichiganRocks Your new tumbler ROCKS! 😍🥰😇👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Hi Rob,
I have been using your formula in my Lot O for a good while and am very pleased with the results. Unfortunately, the motor has given out and I am having trouble finding a replacement. Any words of wisdom? Thanks much
Yes. There is a motor that a lot of people are using to replace the original. It only costs about $30, but it takes some work to get it to fit. Some people cut the frame of the Lot-O to get it to fit, but at least one person made a part to make the motor fit without cutting the frame. Here are a couple links to get you started in your research:
forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/101420/lot-motor-concrete-video
forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/106150/motor-swap-cutting-original-frame
This is probably the best video on which to post my major question: I have a 1year old Lot-O that I've been using continuously since I received it. I had to tune it by moving the dowels as you show here and I have good movement. I consistently have problems with the first Lot-O stage. It starts slowing down within a few hours, and I check it often adding water to keep it moving briskly. Invariably however, I end up with little or no movement with all the ceramics in a glob on the bottom, often difficult to remove-sort of a paste embedded with ceramics. Am I adding too much water? I even tried doing this stage with borax added but it doesn't seem to help. Any ideas you might have would be highly appreciated. As an aside, I have not seen anyone who has done more for this hobby than you. There is nothing like learning from and expert who happens to be a gifted teacher as well!
Thanks for all you share! One other question-I am enamored with BIF and banded chert. I recently found a ton of BIF in Wakefield, cut it up (tile saw) and am tumbling it now. My question is can you direct me to any beach that contains banded chert because here in SW Michigan I can find it. Thanks again!
Hey Rick, based on the glob of rocks in the bottom of the barrel, I'd say you're not using enough water. Don't add borax in the first stage, it thickens the slurry and just adds to the problem. I occasionally forget to check my Lot-O in the first stage and end up with the exact problem you're describing.
You should start with just wet rocks. Give them a few extra squirts of water before you go to bed to get them through the night. When you wake up, check them again. Squirt in enough water to keep them looking wet. I check them two or three times per day. As long as they never get too dry, I don't think you'll have the globbing problem.
I find almost all of my banded chert on a beach that has no public access. I find a little of it up on Lake Superior, but it's never as good as the stuff I find in Lake Huron.
Thanks Rob! I’ll use more water.
@@RickGorczynski Good luck!
I had to move my dowel also had to replace mine too it works great now! Thanks for sharing that. Saved me a headache.
You’re welcome!
@@MichiganRocks Hey Rob did you nail your dowel down?
@@greatnorthernviews3052 No, I just glued it. Seems to be staying in place.
@@MichiganRocks Thanks I don’t want to split the dowel. I just used hot glue I think that’s enough thank you again.
Just the info I was looking for, I am getting good results but my rocks never moved like yours did (your old model) I thought maybe the older models were better designed. Another thing to be aware of is the bearings will come loose on the motor, mine lasted about 2 years. The motors are replaceable but be prepared for the price.
My first motor lasted ten years or so, but you’re right about the price of a new motor. Ouch.
Thanks! Looking to get one soon. Question… Rockshed sells rotary grit and vibratory grit. What’s the difference? And can you use stage 2-4 grit/polish interchangeably? I’ll stick to the rotary for stage 1. Thanks again 😊
I don't think there's a difference other than the rotary pack included a coarse grit. Really coarse grit isn't usually used a vibratory tumbler. I do what you are thinking about doing. I do the first stage in the rotary and the other stages in the vibratory. Those last three grits could be used in either type of tumbler.
@ thanks !
Thank you Mr. Rob! Very helpful
I did buy the double barrel a few months back. Haven’t used it yet. You explained how to weight it down etc…. So well I don’t feel as intimidated. Hopefully (time permitting) I’ll start the process this week!😊
What are you waiting for? Fire that puppy up and start tumbling!
@@MichiganRocks
Lol 😆 I know right !!!
I joined a couple of forums in the last week, the one of FB has a lot of people saying that the Lot-Os they bought in the last year or 2 are breaking, either the motor burning out, or the entire casing snapping, stuff like that. The folks who have had them longer than that say that they love theirs and have had them running almost nonstop for 5 years or more. I'm wondering if they got new management like Boeing did. I don't know if you recall, I while back I pontificated about using a sonic cleaner. I've seen a couple videos now of beautiful looking polish jobs getting put in one after a good thorough cleaning and a white cloud came off of them. Definitely worth the 30 bucks to experiment with.
Based on their website, it doesn't seem like there's new management. But I agree that something seems to have changed in the past few years. Here's their website, although it doesn't say much about the Lot-O tumbler. uncletomsantiquemall.com/?page_id=43
Every product gets cheapened over time, as companies attempt to maintain profits. I’m sure these are no different.
@@andybaldman Good timing with that. The discussion has continued about this in that forum I mentioned, 2 more people had failures since my original post here. Apparently, Lot-O doesn't manufacture their own motors, but buys them from a supplier and they switched suppliers a little while back. Now, that's just going off of what someone said in the forum, I have no verification of that myself, but I know that the person who said it is an old pro at tumbling, so I'll take that on faith.
@@Ken_G. It's a shame when companies cheapen their products to save a few bucks, and try to slide it by customers under the radar. And it completely defeats the purpose when they make the product inferior to the point of causing failures. That's going to cost them far more than the few dollars they were saving by switching suppliers. Maybe the best one could hope for in this case is that someone figures out how to retrofit the inferior parts with available substitutes, if the company doesn't stand behind their own product. But it sounds like they aren't usable as-is, if they're breaking this easily, and they're asking you to readjust the dowel to handicap them (as others have mentioned), so they don't run as hard.
What I've found with this tumbler is that if you don't fill it up enough with rock and especially with ceramic tumbling media, it just won't roll like it's supposed to. So if it looks like yours is just really weakly tumbling, or just sitting and jiggling, check how much stuff you have in there. Ideally you should have about half rocks and half tumbling media, and together they should be nearly to the top, no more than an inch below the top rim. Also, don't try to tumble too many large rocks at the same time. A mix of medium, small, and a couple or three larger rocks works well.
That's right, it does need to be filled up pretty well. I sometimes run it with more than an inch of empty space and it does fine, but I'd rather utilize all the space inside if I can. I don't think you need to have 50% ceramics, but it doesn't hurt to. I'd say for me about 30% is the minimum amount. If I'm tumbling lots of flat things, like Christmas ornaments I make, or cabochons, then I bump the ceramics up to 50% or more.
I’d be interested to see your thoughts on using the harbor freight 18lb vibratory tumbler. I know they make a smaller one, but i think the larger one doesn’t overheat as easily as the smaller one. I’ve been trying to get into rock polishing but i can’t make up my mind if i should buy the tumbler or just make one.
I'm almost certain that tumbler is made for doing light metal objects. I don't think it will hold up to the weight of rocks.
@@MichiganRocks good to know! I can’t find any good vibratory rock tumblers available. I’m thinking of just throwing one together. I have a few ideas. If you wanted to put a vibratory tumbler together, how would you do it?
@@Tbugfish I wouldn't know where to begin.
I like that new vibration polishing machine. Beautiful rocks!
I love my first one. It's a great machine.
Thank you again for your videos, bought a Lot O for polishing. Following your advice to the T but polish & borax becomes stuck in bottom of barrel no matter what I do. At first I put all the borax and .5 tsp polish in all at first to avoid the fans, thought it was the reason. Dumped that out and again made sure water was drained as you did, upside down. This time I added the 1Tbl of borax slowly as it was turned on, then added the polish slowly. Nothing... just dry looking rocks tumbling around again with nothing sticking to them, no white slurry at all. I waited a while to make sure it didn't need to mix, nothing... Dumped rocks out second time to find everything stuck in bottom where that indention area is located. Do you have any suggestions? Too wet? Too Dry? Surely I don't need a scientist every time I mix? I used about 1lb ceramic to mix bringing it to an inch from top or so, movement is good. Thanks.
If the movement is good, then there must be something wrong with the amount of water. You should fill it with water right up to the top. Then drain out as much water as you can. Tip it over and let it all drain out. You don't have to let it drain forever, just until the majority of the water is out and then leave it upside down for another ten seconds or so.
How long are you waiting before you give up on it? It takes awhile for the slurry to develop. I'd leave it alone at least over night if not 24 hours. By then you should definitely have a slurry developing. Remember, polish is a very, very fine grit, so it's not going to remove hardly any rock like the other stages did. That's why it will take awhile for a slurry to develop.
@@MichiganRocks Gave up both times after about 30min so, that may very well be my issue. The video must be delayed as I thought it would happen immediately since I could see it happening after you poured in the grit and borax. Going to put it back on again today and let you know after 24 update. Thank you so much for the reply. Update:::::: 8 hours later after starting over, it mixed well this time. Hope this helps someone else that may run into this just getting started. The key here was time.... Thanks again.
I'm glad you have it figured out now!
The harbor freight tumbler I have downstairs has an on/off switch, as well. For some reason I feel you would like to know that.
I did not know that. On a rotary tumbler, I don't see a need for a switch. On the Lot-O, it would be nice though, since you have to turn it off to remove the barrel. With a rotary tumbler, there's no need to turn it off when you're cleaning it out.
Revisiting this video. From my experience (over the past 18 months or so), the Lot-O needs some break in time. It took me about six months to start getting the action I wanted to see in the barrel. I moved the dowel and played with the recipe in the first two months months, but it took much longer to sort of ease into the rhythm I have now. Hard to say what micro-adjustments I made over the last 6-8 months, but it's working perfectly for me now. I struggle a little bit keeping the action going beyond day three with 220, but otherwise everything works well. The Lot-O is a finicky little machine.
That's interesting. I started using my first Lot-O over ten years ago and I think I had good luck right from the beginning. My second Lot-O required the adjustment you saw in this video, but since that, it has been working just like the other one. The action is actually a bit more aggressive than the first one, because I think I moved the dowel just a bit more than I should have. The results I get are the same with both machines though.
The 220 stage definitely takes the most babysitting. It grinds the most aggressively and creates the most rock dust, which soaks up water. The water needs to be replenished much more often.
@@MichiganRocks Enormous thanks to you and this video. You shortened my learning curve significantly.
@@jat3mtnbiker You're welcome.
Thank you for the how to with the Vibratory Tumbler 👍🐯😻
You're welcome!
This is how mine moves, too! Gonna have to have the hubs fix that for me! Thank you!
Be careful that you don't move it too far because if the action is too violent, you can break springs. I've heard that replacement springs are about impossible to get right now.
Chicago freight dual tumblers also has a power switch.
First off thank you so much for the videos it's opened a new world for me. My question is, if you're not recommending the lot o tumblers anymore, what are you recommending now? There are many other types of vibratory tumblers out there but I have no idea which to look at. Thanks again for all the insight on My new hobby!
If it was me, I'd still buy a Lot-O, but I have trouble recommending that other people do the same. I did hear a few months ago from someone who should know that the motor problem may be better now than it was. I can't make any guarantees but hopefully, they're using something a little more reliable now.
I don't know what else to recommend. I asked Diamond Pacific to send me a Mini Sonic to review, but they didn't answer my email. I have one friend who says it works great, but takes about twice as long and another friend to who said that it would just make me appreciate how good my Lot-O is. Since they wouldn't send me one, I can't give you my own opinion. I'd also take a look at the Thumler's UV series.
Thanks for the quick reply! I'm going to go ahead and stick to looking for a Lot-o once they become available again at Rock shed or Kingsley. Everybody seems to be out of stock.
@@MichiganRocksThe DP vibes are terrific. Super-thick barrels, and you control the speed with a dial.
Hello Rob, so glad to have been watching, and learning ,and being entertained by your videos. I tuned my Lot O tumbler per your instructions and the movement in the barrel has improved by 100%. On another note, I have a few batches of rock that have metal streaks in them from my original rotary tumble in my Lortone 12 lb barrel. It does not happen not happen every time, so its not the barrel. I have put these rocks aside and have been afraid to move them along due to the streaks. I have has both copper colored streaks and silver streaks from different batches. Any advice about what I can do wit these rocks , and what can be done to prevent this? Thanks much, Mike
I have never gotten streaks like that on my rocks. I wonder if they're coming from your colander. I use plastic colanders, except for the one I use right after the coarse stage. That one doesn't leave streaks either, although it's metal.
If they're just streaks of metal on the outside of your rocks, then tumbling them in 220 grit in your Lot-O should easily remove them.
Thanks for the amazing video. Watched while waiting for the Lot-OTumbler to arrive. Ran ceramic first and had little motion. Took your instructions for moving the dowel and that helped. A day after moving the dowel one of the spring bolds sheared, easily replaced. Running first load with 120/220 grit and the load is racing like a banshee. Is too fast a bad thing? Maybe twice the speed of your video. Anxious to see the results. Thanks again for the great info. Gene
I have heard that if you move the dowel too far that it can break springs. I think you have already seen that by shearing a bolt. You should probably tune it while it's running to get the action to be about like how my original machine runs. I wouldn't want it running twice as fast.
Hi, nice video! I am about to buy a vibrating tumbler myself. More importantly, I HAVE THE SAME EXACT TRIM SAW in the background!! Bought it from an old timer. Do you know what brand it is by chance? Mine doesn't have any info on it?? Thx much, keep up the good work!
That's a GemLap saw made in Ferndale, Michigan, probably in the 60's or 70's. I love that saw.
Thank you for such detailed videos, this one and the one with comparison of two tumblers. I needed this instructions desperately when I bought my first Loto tumbler few months ago and was looking for a good instructions. I ran few batches on it already and was able to get decent polish, but I also noticed how rocks moved slower than what I saw in videos of others. Now I know why - thanks to you. That dowel on my Loto is also in the middle and now I know how to fix it!. But one my question still remains - why the one cannot use loto for the coarse stage? Just run it longer, three-four days maybe? I do have rotary tumbler for that but was just curious why this not even explained anywhere :)
Look at the other video, "Rotary vs. Vibratory" at 3 : 15 where Rob shows rocks he tried to shape in a vibratory for 28 days.
I have never tried a more coarse grit in the Lot-O. I have heard that more coarse grits are too heavy and just fall to the bottom of the barrel. This doesn't grind the rocks and also wears out the bottom of the barrel faster than usual.
Just as an FYI, Since my Lot-O was out of order I found a replacement until I can get a new motor. It is a Ray-Tech TV-5 standard vibratory tumbler that I purchased on Amazon. It is rated for rocks and I have had good success with it. It was reasonably priced and I also purchased additional dedicated bowls for the different grits. I found that doing a burnishing after each grit kept the bowls nice and clean. The covers are clear so you can see the action and the removal is easy to add more water if needed. I looked for a long time and could only find the ones for dry use. I was really happy to find these. At least I could keep on tumbling. Hope this helps someone.
Thanks for the recommendation. I have never used that model. Does it give you the same awesome shine that you get from a Lot-O?
@@MichiganRocks I have never gotten the awesome shine that you have shown in your videos, even in the Lot-O (not as patient as you I guess). I have tried one batch in the Ray-Tech and most came out with a shine that I was very satisfied with. Unfortunately I had a mixture of different hardness and the other part of "the most" were too soft to shine up. I'm still learning. I can say with authority, though. that I really liked the rotating action of the rocks better than I used to get with the Lot-O. Of course I have not been able to try it now that I changed the location of the dowel. That is still to come. Suffice it to say that I have found that the Ray-Tech is worth the money ($89) as a backup to the Lot-O when it's not running and it lets me keep on tumbling. Oh, I forgot to mention that it has an on/off switch, something that I wish the Lot-O had. Thanks for responding.
@@hbeyer46 Thanks for the additional info. I can't test every machine, so it's nice to get some opinions about other tumblers here too.
Love these informative videos! Thanks for sharing!
You're welcome, Brian. I try to answer the questions I get a lot with new videos.