plumberinaz
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2013
Posts: 186
|
Post by plumberinaz on Jun 21, 2013 10:34:05 GMT -5
Found this forum yesterday and am very happy with all the info i have found so far on here! My rock tumbler should be here any day now, As well as some Rough to get me started.. I plan to go find my own stuff once the Arizona summer heat goes away and that cannot come any faster!!! I want to learn how to wire wrap jewelry does anyone know of any courses or any clubs for wire wrapping or rock hounding?
Chris
|
|
deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
|
Post by deedolce on Jun 21, 2013 11:39:32 GMT -5
Welcome to RTH Chris! You live in a great state for rockhunting. If you look in the 'wire wrapping' section here, Randy put up a great tutorial to get you started, and there are others too, pinned to the top. I'll let someone in your area answer about local clubs~
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2013 12:32:07 GMT -5
Hi Chris,
Welcome to the board, PM me your email addy and I will forward you the most recent news letter from the Leaverite rock hounding club. You have good company on that side of town, Beef and Casey.
Tim
|
|
|
Post by Bikerrandy on Jun 21, 2013 16:20:35 GMT -5
Welcome to the forums! What tumbler did you order?
|
|
|
Post by beefjello on Jun 21, 2013 18:26:27 GMT -5
Welcome and howdy neighbor! We have a member in Whitman that doesn't let the summer heat keep her from hounding.. she does it at night. Strap a headlamp on on be mindful of the buzztails
|
|
plumberinaz
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2013
Posts: 186
|
Post by plumberinaz on Jun 21, 2013 18:44:53 GMT -5
Randy- I order a Thulmers 9lb tumbler with a spare 3lb barrel.. I figured get one that can go from big to small if i want! Beef- I have honestly thought about going out at night but honestly being so new to this I don't even know where to look.. I went out in april to the desert mountains near 167th ave south of lake plesant and also I poked around the river bed near ben avery off carefree highway found a cool shiny rock though not sure what it is it looks like it has thin flaky crystal layers on it its pretty cool and shines alot!
|
|
|
Post by Bikerrandy on Jun 21, 2013 21:17:09 GMT -5
Thumlers makes the best tumblers IMO. I have a Thumlers vibratory tumbler, been using it since 2005. You're gonna have fun! Oh, but gotta tell ya, the tumbler won't be enough. Before you know what happened, you'll be buying saws, cabbing machines, grinders, more tumblers and a few tons of rough.... but if you do it right, you'll never spend a dime from your paycheck on any of this
|
|
plumberinaz
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2013
Posts: 186
|
Post by plumberinaz on Jun 21, 2013 21:19:43 GMT -5
I already am looking into buying saw and grinder..lol Any good ones you would recommend?
|
|
|
Post by Bikerrandy on Jun 21, 2013 21:47:43 GMT -5
Yep. lol... I stared out with a Covington 16 inch saw, but honestly, I use my 10 inch saw a whole lot more. For grinding and polishing, a Genie is the only way to go if you can spare the cash. I sold tumble-pendants and saved the cash from it to purchase my 16 inch saw. From this (and a tile saw), I was able to make the pendants much faster, this allowed me to save enough cash for the Genie. Now all I do is cab, wire wrap, and buy more rocks. What started out as a small box of rocks is now a big rock garden, all agates and jaspers!
|
|
plumberinaz
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2013
Posts: 186
|
Post by plumberinaz on Jun 21, 2013 22:02:23 GMT -5
Awesome!! I will look into those thanks for the info! My rough i ordered should be here tomorrow in the mail amethyst,banded amethyst,rose quartz,and some peridot! 5 lbs all together... I really am excited to get started tumbling and making some jewelry!! I have a feeling this hobby is going to take over my spare time...
|
|
|
Post by Bikerrandy on Jun 22, 2013 6:01:00 GMT -5
Spare time? You can kiss that goodbye. lol .... This stuff is better than... well... we'll just say that it's fun. As for tumble pendants, here's one more tip- go to Home Depot and get yourself a cheap tile saw. (they're less than $100) and you'll be able to cut rocks into any shape before you start the tumbler. I cut all of mine into triangles and then I epoxy bell caps to the tops and sell them for $5 each or 3 for $10. Everyone at the craft shows go for the 3 for $10 deal (keeping in mind that there's 2.7 million people living in my neck of the woods) and that's what paid for my cabbing machine and slab saw. Take a look at these posts..... forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/47267/tumble-pendant-factory-back-operationforum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/47797/600-tumble-pendants-pics
|
|