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Post by wigglinrocks on Nov 18, 2016 1:24:53 GMT -5
This hobby sort of got started from our trips to see waterfalls . We went to almost all the falls in Northern Wisconsin , then to Northern Minnesota where we saw a bunch ,then it was off to see what the Yoopers , UP Michigan , had to offer . We always picked up a special rock or three at each falls , which in the UP alone was over a hundred falls we were at . Then annual Lake Superior beach rock picking trips , more like 15 or so a year . Two or three mini vacations to different places in the UP , finally made it up to the Keweenaw Peninsula , where we 've taken a couple mini vacations a year for the past four years . So we have amassed quite a stockpile of rock to do something with . No tumbler , tried spraying with a clear finish which was o.k. then . Then we got a tumbler , dual Harbor Freight , as a Christmas gift . We were turning out some pretty nice rocks then , or so we thought . Then I found this forum . And after seeing some of the photos I realized I had a lot to learn . I've been hiding in the shadows here , reading and learning a lot from the masters for a couple years . And thanks to all the generous and knowledgeable members here , I think I 've got the make 'em shiny thing down pat . If I wasn't a little bit , a lot , digitally challenged , I would for sure post some pics . My better half is doing some pretty nice wrapping also , just started this year but she has that natural talent that I wish I had . Well , sorry for such a long boring intro , once I get started I don't know when to shut up . Oh , I read here something about addiction or obsession , future members or guests beware , its true . But at least we are now almost fully equipped , yes almost . Still running the HB dual , a pair of QT66s , pair of Gy Roc model A s , a model B , three saws, 6" , tile saw , 10" , and a 2 wheel grinder . Thanks again for all the advice and generosity .
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Post by vegasjames on Nov 18, 2016 1:47:15 GMT -5
Welcome to RTH.
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Post by manofglass on Nov 18, 2016 9:16:23 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum
Walt
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Nov 18, 2016 10:16:08 GMT -5
Welcome from Southern Utah. You're quite the equipment addict. None of us here have any similar obsession! Lynn
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Post by Peruano on Nov 18, 2016 15:53:59 GMT -5
It sounds like you have much to contribute. Master that photo posting ordeal and you are involved and swimming with the rest. Never apologize for providing information. That's why we are here rather than Instagram or other such media outlets. We do want to see your rocks, and their derivatives.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Nov 18, 2016 16:05:36 GMT -5
Welcome! Sounds like you are well on your way to true obsession.
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Post by drocknut on Nov 18, 2016 20:38:20 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum. I have family in Wisconsin but more southern towards Madison. Would love to see some of those wire wraps, there's even a section on the forum for wire wrapping.
Happy Hounding!
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Post by Pat on Nov 18, 2016 21:14:30 GMT -5
Welcome from California. For a beginner, you sure have a lot of equipment! It is a lot of fun, and the tools/toys needed never ends. And the rocks.....
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Post by wigglinrocks on Nov 18, 2016 23:00:26 GMT -5
Thank You all for the welcome . Someday I hopefully will post some pics of our finished rocks and other things . Better half said if I get pics , she will teach , well show me how to post them . Kind of a slow learner sometimes . Heck I'm still a hunt and peck typer . I fully understand the ( no pictures it didn't happen ) rule . Lots of BSers in the world . As for our equipment , it sounds like a lot , but all necessary to keep going and expand . All of it was bought used but in good shape . All was very reasonably price , we think anyway . It pays to know what you need and not get in a hurry to buy . We have under $200 in the 2 big GyRoc vibes , with extra bowls . The lortone grinder was $130 . Good bearings and lots of rust . Complete disassembly , sandblast , prime and paint and its like new . When I get it put back together that is . It has good wheels but I plan on tile saw blades on one end , super grinder . The 2 big rotary lortones were maybe $230 combined . Biggest single purchase was the 10" Beacon Star saw . The seller listed it as used but sure looked clean to me . Talked with him a few times and bought it , $330 shipped . Has a few paint dings from storage but was never fully assembled , brand new . Has gravity feed and perfect condition clear cover . So to wrap up this post , if I am addicted ,I can justify it by needing the right tools to feed the addiction . Thanks again , Rich
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Post by paulshiroma on Nov 19, 2016 1:26:21 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum! This is a great addiction to have! Paul
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Post by Jugglerguy on Nov 20, 2016 7:50:26 GMT -5
Welcome from Michigan. I live a couple hours south of the bridge. I have been making a couple trips to Lake Superior each summer for about as long as you have. I go to the Grand Marais area and to the Keeweenaw. My favorite waterfall is Canyon Falls near L'Anse, but I haven't been to as many as you have.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 20, 2016 10:05:40 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum!!!!
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Post by wigglinrocks on Nov 20, 2016 23:12:06 GMT -5
Rob , Jugglerguy , I agree Canyon Falls is very nice . Next time up towards Grand Marais take a little sidetrack towards Paradise to see Tahquamenon Falls . Especially the upper falls , second biggest waterfall east of the Mississippi . Would like to compare notes on the UP with you , especially Copper Country . I've read your posts about that remote beach you go to , lot of really nice places to go and get away from the tourists . Really some great people up there also . I' m not sure where I should be posting this , I'm new here . So if someone would point in the right direction , I would appreciate it . Thanks , Rich
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Post by Jugglerguy on Nov 21, 2016 15:55:30 GMT -5
I don't think anyone gets too upset about where you post stuff here. I just take my best guess. I browse by clicking the "Recent Topics" button at the top of the page, so I don't see where anything is posted anyway.
I've been to Tahquamenon Falls. I took my family there when the kids were little. We went in June. Big mistake. Every kind of biting insect in the U.P. was out. There were mosquitos and various flies I think. I saw the falls in sort of a strobe light way, with my hands flailing in front of my face. I remember running back to the tent through the woods with my son on my shoulders. His job was to shoo flies and my job was to get us back to the tent fast. Teamwork. I drive by Tahquamenon Falls every year on my Grand Marais trip. I never stop because that slows the rock picking down. I hit various beaches between Grand Marais and Whitefish Point. My favorites are the Two Hearted River and Vermillion Point.
My remote spot in the U.P. is top secret. My sister was looking for places to go and a friend suggested that she take me there, but I'm not allowed to tell others about it. Besides, I'd never be able to describe how to get there. There are some other beaches I've gone to up there and I've looked in mine tailings piles too. I didn't really find much useful in the tailings piles, so I haven't been back to them much. There's a pile of specular hematite in Champion though.
Rob
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Post by wigglinrocks on Nov 21, 2016 23:03:40 GMT -5
Jugglerguy , I wasn't even thinking about asking about your secret beach . I've read your posts about being sworn to secrecy and I'll honor that . Everyone deserves a place that they can call theirs . Tell one person and 500 know about it . I have a good idea where your beach is any way , we don't do the normal tourist stuff . Lots of exploring off the beaten path . Great Sand Bay was pretty awesome last year , nothing but rock . The year before it was all sand and small pebbles . We didn't get up there this year . We have been to a lot of the mine piles also . We have found some decent copper and a couple small copper/silver hybrids . Met a kid , to me anyway think he was 30 a few years ago, at the Wolverine pile . He showed us what to look for when looking for copper agates and we found a few of those . Look him up whenever we are up there . Wasn't tumbling yet when we went to Montreal Falls but I remember on the way in the shoreline was quite rocky . We were just waterfalling when we made it to Grand Marais . Filled our pockets with rocks at Agate Beach . Stayed in Munising that year . Our transmission crapped out as we were coming into town on the 3rd of July . By the time we got that fixed , it was a mad scramble to see what we wanted to see . Lots of purple slag at a beach between Munising and Christmas . Haven't been between Marquette and Canyon Falls yet Does Specular Hematite tumble well or is it best done on wheels ? Might get a box from you if you do that again next year . Well , probably bored you long enough so I'm out of here . Rich
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Post by Jugglerguy on Nov 22, 2016 6:15:59 GMT -5
You found copper agates?!? You really have to post pictures of those. That's a rare find. I have found some regular copper, no half breeds though.
I picked up some slag right in Christmas a couple years ago, but I haven't done anything with it. Most of it was just black.
I don't think the specular hematite would tumble well, but I haven't done much with it. I did tumble some jaspelite that had specular hematite in it and it turned out ok, not great.
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Post by wigglinrocks on Nov 23, 2016 1:00:21 GMT -5
You found copper agates?!? You really have to post pictures of those. That's a rare find. I have found some regular copper, no half breeds though. I picked up some slag right in Christmas a couple years ago, but I haven't done anything with it. Most of it was just black. I don't think the specular hematite would tumble well, but I haven't done much with it. I did tumble some jaspelite that had specular hematite in it and it turned out ok, not great. We found a few of them , the biggest was a little over an inch . And I can't post a pic of that one . We gave that one to the guy who told us what to look for . He was so helpful and at the time we had no saw or anything so gave it to him . We heard a lot about them and just thought it would be cool to find one . What a couple dummies we were . I don't regret letting him have it though , he was so generous with information . Lots of info about other stuff up there also . Sure doesn't give a rip about rocks , minerals are a different story . I tried to tumble some of the purple slag . Really pretty stuff , some had quite a bit of white swirls in it . Some was just dark purple . I did that batch when I was way more rookie than I am now . Going to redo that when I have more experience with that kind of material . Kinda screwed it up . I was thinking specular hematite might tend to chip or undercut in a tumbler . I'd like to try a batch in the Gy Roc . When I run it in low gear , even a lot of granite doesn't undercut .
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Post by Jugglerguy on Nov 23, 2016 15:21:32 GMT -5
I'd suggest using Flickr to post pictures. They have almost unlimited storage for free.
Information is super valuable. I don't know if I'd give up a copper agate for it though! Have you found any datolite? That's what we looked for in the mine piles.
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Post by wigglinrocks on Nov 23, 2016 19:43:44 GMT -5
I know what you mean about giving up that copper agate . We really were a couple tourists back then . But I still don't regret giving it to him . He is a priceless contact for us up there . Since then , we look him up every time we get up there . 7 or 8 times so far , new info each time . No Datolites that I know for sure , don't really know what they look like in the rough . I do have 3 or 4 somethings in one of my tumble batches that a friend said were datolite . I'll have to dig them out when I figure out the pic posting thing . We never actually looked for them , because like I said before , I am terrible at rock id . The ones in the tumble batch came from a beach . When up in Keweenaw , its more copper and rock hunting than anything . Also spend a bunch of our time visiting the people we have met .
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