billben
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2023
Posts: 2
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Post by billben on Oct 30, 2023 11:02:32 GMT -5
New to the forum and the hobby. I polished a few rocks when I was a kid on a Skilcraft tumbler back in the 1970's and went to the local gem and mineral show every year. A few weeks back I started watching some Youtube videos on rock polishing and got interested. Now I am just trying to decide whether to build a rotary tumbler or purchase one. Funds for this endeavor are limited so I need to spend wisely.
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Post by Pat on Oct 30, 2023 11:19:26 GMT -5
Welcome from California. There might be a gem and mineral club near you.
There are RTHlings who combine the rock hobby with their machine building hobby. Check out the Home page to find them.
Good luck!
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rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,352
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Post by rocknewb101 on Oct 30, 2023 11:32:54 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from NE Ohio!!
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billben
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2023
Posts: 2
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Post by billben on Oct 30, 2023 11:34:09 GMT -5
Thanks for the welcome. I guess I should mention I am from Texas.
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Post by Rockoonz on Oct 30, 2023 13:11:52 GMT -5
Welcome from AZ. I am one of the tool guys Pat mentioned. If you are beginning and want to start with the smaller barrels, maybe get the Harbor Freight 2 barrel machine and plan to build a base when theirs fails, that way you get fairly inexpensive barrels. If you go that route be sure to open the box and examine the rubber barrels closely for any shiny lines and voids, the chinese factory uses too much mold release and does not do the best QA on their work. Making your own larger barrels like jamesp does may not cost a lot less, but the barrels are super long life I'm thinking. Bases are relatively easy to build, there are many fine examples here.
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Post by vegasjames on Oct 30, 2023 15:34:35 GMT -5
Welcome from Southern Nevada.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,175
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Post by jamesp on Oct 30, 2023 17:05:57 GMT -5
Welcome from AZ. I am one of the tool guys Pat mentioned. If you are beginning and want to start with the smaller barrels, maybe get the Harbor Freight 2 barrel machine and plan to build a base when theirs fails, that way you get fairly inexpensive barrels. If you go that route be sure to open the box and examine the rubber barrels closely for any shiny lines and voids, the chinese factory uses too much mold release and does not do the best QA on their work. Making your own larger barrels like jamesp does may not cost a lot less, but the barrels are super long life I'm thinking. Bases are relatively easy to build, there are many fine examples here. These are the 6 and 8 inch HDPE barrels Lee referred to billben. www.flickr.com/photos/67205364@N06/sets/72157690416358524They are basically an SDR 11 end cap and an SDR 11 reducer welded together using a teflon fry pan at about 400F on an electric stove top. See "Fernco cap" for cover in plumbing supplies. Makes a durable long lasting tumbling jar. Welcome on to RTH.
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Post by drocknut on Oct 30, 2023 17:48:09 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from south central Arizona
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,604
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Post by dillonf on Oct 30, 2023 19:41:10 GMT -5
Welcome!
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 30, 2023 20:29:40 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota!
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Post by liveoak on Nov 3, 2023 6:31:03 GMT -5
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Nov 3, 2023 22:16:57 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona!
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geoff59
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2022
Posts: 280
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Post by geoff59 on Nov 4, 2023 4:33:34 GMT -5
Welcome from New Hampshire.
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