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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 14, 2012 10:57:37 GMT -5
Hi everyone. I bought my son a rock tumbler for Christmas and since then have made three great rock trades with people here. I had also collected a bunch of local rocks this summer, knowing I was going to buy a tumbler for Christmas. Now I have way too many rocks in my basement. It's sort of a mess. The rocks that I traded for have been very nicely sorted by the guys who sent them and I'd like to keep them sorted with labels so I don't lose track of what everything is.
Could you share with me how you keep everything organized? I don't know if I should build some sort of shelves or use bins of some sort or what. I'd rather not have cardboard boxes and bags all over the place because they're hard to sort through to find something you're looking for. I'm also pushing my luck with my wife who likes everything neat and tidy. She teaches middle school science which is mostly Earth science, so she's been somewhat interested and very tolerant so far, and I'd like to keep it that way. Pictures of your neat and organized shops would be great!
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Jan 14, 2012 11:16:49 GMT -5
cheap 5gal buckets work for stuff you have a lot of, I use them for my pipestone, alabaster, onyx, Arizona marble, apache tears, etc. I had my hubby set the under bench shelves at the bucket height so they fit under it nicely and I used a black marker to label them.
Smaller quantity stuff I use boxes on a shelving system also hubby made so its very strong to hold the weight.
when I get rough in the medium and large flat rate boxes I just use them to keep it organized too!
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 14, 2012 11:35:27 GMT -5
You're supposed to organize your rocks?
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 14, 2012 11:42:37 GMT -5
If your rocks are of smaller sizes, those inexpensive plastic shoe boxes work good, and they stack good too. And you can see through them without having to open them.
You can buy fairly inexpensive shelving units to put your boxes on. I'd suggest units that will hold at least 250 lbs. per shelf.
As already mentioned, plastic buckets and flat rate boxes work good too. especially for your larger rocks.
And for the really big ones that won't fit in the buckets or boxes, Give them a good scrubbing and put them on display until you're ready to cut them up.
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Jan 14, 2012 11:45:55 GMT -5
For string smaller tumble stones you can pick up some stackable plastic bins from the dollar store and at Harbor Freight for a small price. I reuse anything that will hold rocks. Coffee cans, plastic jugs, etc. Of course I am a user of the pile system too. lol "put it in that pile"
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,688
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Post by Fossilman on Jan 14, 2012 12:33:21 GMT -5
I use white 5 gal. buckets,coffee cans(Folgers) and mayo jars,,,,,All can be written on and easy to store... I have a storage unit(with doors) I built next to the carport,I'm the only one that uses it,so no complains from my wife!!!! ;D
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Jan 14, 2012 15:29:57 GMT -5
I started storing some of my slabs in my wife's Tupperware plastic casserole containers as she hasn't made a casserole in her life, at least for me that is LOL Well as suspected she didn't read the sign on the door to my man cave. The one that said "KEEP OUT" hehehe Well she was none to pleased with my requisition of her kitchenware. She still is holding a grudge over me using her potato peeler as a carving tool to work on the piece of Alabaster that Wampity gave me....Woman I now use these really cheap plastic semi transparent disposable storage containers made by Hefty (the garbage bag people). They are really good they are stack-able and come in all sizes, and shapes. Best of all they are CHEAP and non breakable.
Stu
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Post by Dicky the Rockhunter on Jan 14, 2012 16:23:53 GMT -5
I use old microfiche cabinets, donated by museums and business. great withstand much weight , have moveable partiotions and realy sturdy most were made by safe manufacturers,
Dicky
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Post by texaswoodie on Jan 14, 2012 21:03:57 GMT -5
You're supposed to organize your rocks? I resemble that question. I have lost the most beautiful and valuable rock I own. I'm fairly certain I put it in a safe place. Now if I could just find that place. Curt
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Jan 14, 2012 21:16:04 GMT -5
You're supposed to organize your rocks? I resemble that question. I have lost the most beautiful and valuable rock I own. I'm fairly certain I put it in a safe place. Now if I could just find that place. Curt Hey Curt,whats it look like? snuffy
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Post by texaswoodie on Jan 14, 2012 21:50:32 GMT -5
You better not have my rock Snuff ;D
Curt
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fossiler
having dreams about rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 55
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Post by fossiler on Jan 15, 2012 10:16:19 GMT -5
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 15, 2012 11:28:02 GMT -5
Thanks for the ideas. I should be able to make some of them work.
Rob
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,472
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 15, 2012 12:44:37 GMT -5
I've always used the old plastic shoebox method but recently have become frustrated that I cannot find many of my type specimens, so I got one of those standup tool boxes with ten pull out shelves for Xmas. I've been working on labeling and alphabetizing my type specimens and slabs for two weeks now and am almost done with the slabs so I'll have to post some pics soon. Only problem is, a lot of my prized type specimens are in the rough and too big for my saw. Guess I'll eventually have to break some down and slab them. Don't really matter anyway as I'm about out of space in the new shelves anyway *L*. Guess it serves me right for being such a rock pack rat.....Mel
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Jan 15, 2012 13:17:57 GMT -5
The handiest storage I found were a couple of index card cabinets.Check around any business and office supply company and they may have some gathering dust in their warehose. These are really heavy duty.I lucked out and found these free on craigslist. They will hold much rock. snuffy
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 15, 2012 20:28:55 GMT -5
That's really cool, Snuffy. I just happen to work at a school. I wonder what they did with the old card catalogs?
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 16, 2012 10:49:54 GMT -5
While we're on the subject of organizing and storing, I'll point out that medium FRB's are the perfect size for storing those stacks of R&G magazine. A box will hold 4 years worth. They stack nice, keep your mags clean and flat, and are easy to label. Don
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