ntmf
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2017
Posts: 1
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Post by ntmf on Jun 12, 2017 7:54:07 GMT -5
Hi friends, I've loved to rocks since I was a child and I wanted a rock tumbler very badly for Christmas when I was little in my mother would never get it for me. This weekend I went to Cape May and my friends told me about the Cape May diamonds. I looked for hours she had to tear me away I had a great time and now I want to buy a rock tumbler to Tumble them or do you have other suggestions because the hazy clear look is very beautiful. Also I'm located in New Jersey does anyone have an idea for where this very very new beginner could go next?
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Post by fantastic5 on Jun 12, 2017 8:13:18 GMT -5
to the board. Lots of helpful people here for sure. The type of rock tumbler you get will depend on what you plan on doing. If you see yourself only working with the beach tumbles, that are already very smooth and rounded, and want quick results I would recommend a vibe tumbler. I have a Lot-O and it is fantastic. Vibe tumblers don't remove a lot of material or round stones the way a rotary does. I do also have several rotaries, that I use to round rough stones to feed the vibe. Rotaries can take months and months to round stones and weeks to polish. A vibe can give you polished stones in about 7-10 days if they are already the shape you are after and relatively defect free.
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lookatthat
Cave Dweller
Whatever there is to be found.
Member since May 2017
Posts: 1,360
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Post by lookatthat on Jun 12, 2017 8:47:50 GMT -5
Hi, ntmf! Grown-ups tumble rocks too! And it will be even better now because you can get a real tumbler instead of a noisy flimsy noisy hard-to-use noisy plastic one! The vibe tumblers are definitely faster. Myself, I currently have one tumbler-- a rotary called the Lortone 3A, which is very quiet and easy to use. The current batch of rocks has been in for (I think) 3 weeks now in the coarse grit. Some have been the full 3 weeks; some I pulled out early because they were quite soft and rounded easily and others I added in have been in for 1-2 weeks. I think pretty much all will be ready for the 120/220 grit by the end of the week. So, by the time they are polished, I'm looking at about 6-7 weeks in the rotary, whereas they would all be done by now if I had the vibe tumbler. So why go with a rotary? For me, noise level is very important and the Lortone 3A is about the quietest one out there. Also, the vibe tumblers seemed a little more complicated to use, and I am not mechanically inclined. But oh boy, do I have a lot of rocks, so I will probably end up adding a vibe.
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Post by wigglinrocks on Jun 12, 2017 9:13:34 GMT -5
Be Warned , if you pursue the rock hobby , you will need all the inner strength you can muster up to keep things in check . One tumbler will lead to more , and then on to saws and other equipment , and the list goes on . But on the other hand , it is one of the most satisfying and enjoyable hobbies I have ever got involve in . Rock people are the best and are willing to share tips and guidance every step of the way . Kinda like an addiction support group . You have come to the right place for help and therapy . Welcome to the forum from Wisconsin
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,652
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Post by Tommy on Jun 12, 2017 9:53:37 GMT -5
Welcome and thanks for posting!
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Post by Pat on Jun 12, 2017 17:30:22 GMT -5
I'm not a rock tumbler, but you sure came to the right place. Lots of pros here. There are lots of other thing to do with rocks besides tumble them. Check out the Home Page.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jun 12, 2017 18:06:37 GMT -5
I agree with a lot of what lookatthat said, except the part about rotary tumblers being more complicated to use. I think just the opposite is true. I do almost every batch the exact same way and almost always get great results. I also don't think the Lot-O is louder than my rotary tumblers, except maybe the Lortone 33B. The Lortone and the Lot-O are about the same. If you get a rotary, I'd suggest the 33B over the 3A. You get two barrels for less than twice the price of one barrel. Most of us here prefer to start our tumbles in a rotary and then move to a vibratory tumbler. Most people don't start out that way though because of the expense. I'd buy one tumbler now and add another later if you find that you enjoy the hobby. Welcome to the forum, it's a great place to learn.
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Post by accidentalrockhound on Jun 13, 2017 3:03:33 GMT -5
Welcome to the RTH anonymous where we don't help you with your problem but encourage it. Lol Hi from COLORADO.
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lookatthat
Cave Dweller
Whatever there is to be found.
Member since May 2017
Posts: 1,360
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Post by lookatthat on Jun 13, 2017 10:19:42 GMT -5
I agree with a lot of what lookatthat said, except the part about rotary tumblers being more complicated to use. I think just the opposite is true. I do almost every batch the exact same way and almost always get great results. I also don't think the Lot-O is louder than my rotary tumblers, except maybe the Lortone 33B. The Lortone and the Lot-O are about the same. If you get a rotary, I'd suggest the 33B over the 3A. You get two barrels for less than twice the price of one barrel. Most of us here prefer to start our tumbles in a rotary and then move to a vibratory tumbler. Most people don't start out that way though because of the expense. I'd buy one tumbler now and add another later if you find that you enjoy the hobby. Welcome to the forum, it's a great place to learn. I don't know why, but the instructions for the vibe tumblers seemed daunting to me. I'm glad to hear they're not hard to run, as I have several pounds of flat, ocean-tumbled (read - pre-shaped) quartz that are just calling for a vibratory tumbler.
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lookatthat
Cave Dweller
Whatever there is to be found.
Member since May 2017
Posts: 1,360
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Post by lookatthat on Jun 13, 2017 10:23:03 GMT -5
If I got a vibe tumbler, I would name it Audrey, as in, "Feed me, Seymour...FEED ME!"
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Post by morerockspleaz on Jun 13, 2017 15:17:11 GMT -5
Welcome from Texas. If it's rock related you can find it here. Lots of good people and information for sure.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Jun 14, 2017 13:18:10 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum........
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