crystaltreefrog
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2017
Posts: 14
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Post by crystaltreefrog on Sept 14, 2017 11:37:55 GMT -5
Hi all, I've loved rocks since I was a kid and now that I have 4 boys (3-8) who are starting to like rocks I'm looking to finally get around to doing my dream of polishing my own rocks. I need some basics: I'm going off this article: www.smarterhobby.com/rockBut have a few questions: I'm looking at a double barrel Loreton and looking for grit for it. I've found 2lb bags of the course stuff mentioned in the article but am having a harder time figuring out how fine the polish and pre should be. I'm seeing 500, 1000, 2000 and it doesn't specify on there... I am detail oriented... I'm not going to be doing anything fancy or difficult, just need to now basics. help? Also planned on buying raw gems and tigers eye to polish ourselves along with whatever we pick up -ok idea? Worth the money? I love tigers eye but can't find any raw red -suggestions of where to buy good stuff for cheap? I'm not rich and need every bit I can save. Thanks! Ps: Anyone in CO know any great places to find stuff around the Springs?
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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 14, 2017 13:25:38 GMT -5
from Virginia! Lots of good info here and people willing to answer your questions. You can also check out the different tumbling sections and the tutorial section. Try posting specific questions to the tumbling section, too. And remember, we LOVE pictures. I don't tumble, but someone will pop in here with some answers for you. We have WORLD famous accomplished tumblers here ready to help.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 14, 2017 13:44:57 GMT -5
Welcome Double barrel lortone is an excellent starter tumbler. Good choice. The rock shed is a highly recommended website for getting your tumbler, grits, polishes and even tumbling rough. For stage one in that tumbler I would stick with 60/90 silicon carbide grit. Stage two can either be 120/220 mix or straight 220 silicon carbide ( I prefer the 120/220 mix ). Stage three will be 500 grit in either aluminum oxide or silicon carbide ( I prefer the A/O). Stage number four (pre-polish) is not always used but if it is go with 1000 aluminum oxide. For stage five I recommend a good aluminum oxide polish. There is no set time for stage one. Let them roll for 7 days and then clean them off and inspect each rock to see if all of the flaws have been removed. Rocks that look ready get set aside and rocks that are not ready go back in stage one. The added space from removing rocks can be filled with new rough rocks. This process is repeated every week until you have enough rocks set aside to fill a barrel for stage two. Stages 2-5 are all 7-10 days each. Stage on inspection is important. Flaws and imperfections will not be removed in stages 2-5. NEVER rinse and tumbling grit/waste into your home plumbing. All tumbling waste has to be disposed of outdoors. Chuck
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Post by Garage Rocker on Sept 14, 2017 14:02:07 GMT -5
Hey, crystaltreefrog , welcome to the forum.
The link to Smarter Hobby Rock Tumbling in your post doesn't work, so I just linked it here.
Most people around here get grit from The Rock Shed unless you want to buy in very large quantities. Then there are some bulk deals we could direct you to. When looking on the Rock Shed site at grit, they will list the grit sizes for the stages you were asking about. Most people start with 60/90 or 46/70 in the course stage. I use 60/90 in my Lortone 33B and the 46/70 in the 66B and QT12. They have a larger diameter barrel and break down course grit better. Then you would use 120/220 grit Silicone Carbide for your medium stage. The stage they are calling pre-polish is likely 500 grit Aluminum Oxide. You can add a step with AO 1,000, if desired. The most common polish for tumbling a variety of rocks is Aluminum Oxide and is sold as polish, no grit size given, usually.
I know you've found a source of tumbling information in the Smarter Hobby, but I would encourage you to learn how to search this forum using an outside browser. You can find answers to just about any question you could think up regarding tumbling on these threads. There is a wealth of information and real-time advice from World Class tumblers.
Best way to search this forum
You should look at the Lortone tumblers on the Rock Shed site also. They have the lowest price on new tumblers that I have found. When you buy a tumbler from them, you get a discount on any grit and rocks you purchase at the same time.
For your Red Tiger Eye, you can check out Kingsley North.
ETA: Looks like I was starting to type, as Drummond Island Rocks was finishing up his post. See what I mean about real-time advice???
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 14, 2017 15:25:00 GMT -5
Garage RockerWell at least our answers did not contradict each other. We actually had pretty similar replies. Chuck
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Post by vegasjames on Sept 15, 2017 3:10:41 GMT -5
I don't tumble either but welcome to the forum.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Sept 15, 2017 5:50:06 GMT -5
Drummond Island Rocks and Garage Rocker gave some great advice. They're two of the best tumblers here, so listen to them. I'd add one thing. Most of us here run our rocks for a really long time in the first stage. If you want to do the same, which I recommend, you'll need lots of coarse grit. If you buy one of the grit packs from The Rock Shed, I'd also add to that at least five pounds of 60/90. You get a discount on grit when you buy a tumbler at The Rock Shed, so it's a good time to stock up. I actually buy coarse grit fifty pounds at a time. Welcome to the forum!
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Post by fantastic5 on Sept 15, 2017 7:40:52 GMT -5
from Tennessee. I see you've already gotten some great advice from our expert tumblers, so I don't really have anything to add. But I do second Jugglerguy about buying extra stage 1 grit. Don't skimp on stage 1, it makes all the difference.
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Post by coloradocliff on Sept 15, 2017 8:01:15 GMT -5
Garage Rocker Well at least our answers did not contradict each other. We actually had pretty similar replies. Chuck Of course you guys had similar answers.big smile As the best rock polisher in the world previously, Chuck, Randy will be the next winner of rhe world wide tumbling contest Unless this years winners Rob and Dave give you a run. Plus one on what these champ, both past and future said although I might add put some clay kitty litter in your rotary to cushion your stones and to carry the grits . Also Frank accidentalrockhound is a member from the Springs but think he has been busy of late with school, the kids and learning wrapping. Welcome to the forum and if you get a chance to run up to Denver, they are having that giant rock show thru Sunday at the coliseum. Theyhad lots of rock you oculd tumble there and also rock you could break down into tumble size using just a hubby and a hammer. Grin Welcome to the forum from the Western Slope !: crystaltreefrog
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Post by wigglinrocks on Sept 15, 2017 20:12:29 GMT -5
All I know about Colorado is what Cliff tells me . But Welcome from Wisconsin
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 17, 2017 7:26:22 GMT -5
Welcome from SC crystaltreefrog I am also a huge fan of Tigers eye and got my nicest blue tigers eye from a member on this forum so definitely watch the classified section. The best golden tigers eye I got was from greatrough.com and time to time they get some Australian Marra Mamba tigers eye (My favorite). I've seen a lot of nice Dragons Eye on Amazon but I got a few crappy orders from on there and now message the seller to make sure the picture matches what you will be receiving before buying. Best of luck!!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,666
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Post by Fossilman on Sept 18, 2017 8:52:26 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum.....
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Post by accidentalrockhound on Sept 19, 2017 0:17:10 GMT -5
All I know about Colorado is what Cliff tells me . But Welcome from Wisconsin I could only imagine what you know then. Lol. Bet cliff didn't tell you i can see his rock piles from my house. And sometimes him when he climbs to the top to slide down them.
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Post by accidentalrockhound on Sept 19, 2017 0:26:28 GMT -5
Hello from hello from Colorado. A neighbor from the south of you.down in pueblo. Rock hound the foutain creek alot from south of foutain down to pueblo where the foutain creek meets the Arkansa river. Lots of variety .good luck on your tumbling. By the way you can check craigslist daily some deals do come in now and then.have to be quick on the draw but you can get lucky.type in key words and search All.
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crystaltreefrog
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2017
Posts: 14
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Post by crystaltreefrog on Sept 24, 2017 14:56:02 GMT -5
All I know about Colorado is what Cliff tells me . But Welcome from Wisconsin I could only imagine what you know then. Lol. Bet cliff didn't tell you i can see his rock piles from my house. And sometimes him when he climbs to the top to slide down them. You guys crack me up! I must be in good company! Hey, -Wisconsin raised! Michigan claim, Colorado transplant! I hope someone can suggest good hounding places in Colorado springs or very nearby. Can't afford to go far at all, (gas or time) but is there Anywhere I could find some good fossils??? Otherwise can someone tell me what's common around here besides fools gold? Where do I go where I won't get into trouble?
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crystaltreefrog
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2017
Posts: 14
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Post by crystaltreefrog on Sept 24, 2017 15:00:45 GMT -5
Welcome Double barrel lortone is an excellent starter tumbler. Good choice. The rock shed is a highly recommended website for getting your tumbler, grits, polishes and even tumbling rough. For stage one in that tumbler I would stick with 60/90 silicon carbide grit. Stage two can either be 120/220 mix or straight 220 silicon carbide ( I prefer the 120/220 mix ). Stage three will be 500 grit in either aluminum oxide or silicon carbide ( I prefer the A/O). Stage number four (pre-polish) is not always used but if it is go with 1000 aluminum oxide. For stage five I recommend a good aluminum oxide polish. There is no set time for stage one. Let them roll for 7 days and then clean them off and inspect each rock to see if all of the flaws have been removed. Rocks that look ready get set aside and rocks that are not ready go back in stage one. The added space from removing rocks can be filled with new rough rocks. This process is repeated every week until you have enough rocks set aside to fill a barrel for stage two. Stages 2-5 are all 7-10 days each. Stage on inspection is important. Flaws and imperfections will not be removed in stages 2-5. NEVER rinse and tumbling grit/waste into your home plumbing. All tumbling waste has to be disposed of outdoors. Chuck Hey everyone who sent me to the Rock Shed -Thank You!!! I cancelled all my orders on Amazon that hadn't shipped and got most everything there and it all came in one big box and would you believe there was a tiny bag with four little Tootsie Roll candies in it! How did they happen to get that in there When I happen to have Four boys! Crazy! (Seriously, rough day, I almost cried, the kids were ecstatic! Lol)
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Post by aDave on Sept 24, 2017 16:27:31 GMT -5
Hey everyone who sent me to the Rock Shed -Thank You!!! I cancelled all my orders on Amazon that hadn't shipped and got most everything there and it all came in one big box and would you believe there was a tiny bag with four little Tootsie Roll candies in it! How did they happen to get that in there When I happen to have Four boys! Crazy! (Seriously, rough day, I almost cried, the kids were ecstatic! Lol) The owner of the Rock Shed is known to drop pieces of candy in boxes every now and then. Tootsie Rolls, you say? I just dropped a large bag there while vacationing in the area last week. Guess Sean is back at the store. He was in Denver when I stopped by. Dave
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crystaltreefrog
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2017
Posts: 14
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Post by crystaltreefrog on Sept 26, 2017 5:55:20 GMT -5
Hey everyone who sent me to the Rock Shed -Thank You!!! I cancelled all my orders on Amazon that hadn't shipped and got most everything there and it all came in one big box and would you believe there was a tiny bag with four little Tootsie Roll candies in it! How did they happen to get that in there When I happen to have Four boys! Crazy! (Seriously, rough day, I almost cried, the kids were ecstatic! Lol) The owner of the Rock Shed is known to drop pieces of candy in boxes every now and then. Tootsie Rolls, you say? I just dropped a large bag there while vacationing in the area last week. Guess Sean is back at the store. He was in Denver when I stopped by. Dave That cracks me up! Well he accidentally hit the nail on the head with that one, happening to send the same amount of pieces as I have kids, my boys were thrilled! My three year old kept telling me thank you, had to tell him it was the people who sent out rock stuff... Denver? Where's it based out of?
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Post by aDave on Sept 26, 2017 12:28:12 GMT -5
The owner of the Rock Shed is known to drop pieces of candy in boxes every now and then. Tootsie Rolls, you say? I just dropped a large bag there while vacationing in the area last week. Guess Sean is back at the store. He was in Denver when I stopped by. Dave That cracks me up! Well he accidentally hit the nail on the head with that one, happening to send the same amount of pieces as I have kids, my boys were thrilled! My three year old kept telling me thank you, had to tell him it was the people who sent out rock stuff... Denver? Where's it based out of? The store is in Keystone, SD, just a few miles from Mount Rushmore. Sean was at the Denver rock show when we stopped by, so I didn't get to meet him. Before going, I was clued into the fact that he loves Tootsie Rolls, so I dropped some off when we were there. Dave
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Post by TheRock on Sept 27, 2017 1:10:44 GMT -5
Welcome from Michigan. I am with the rest here Contact Shaun at therockshed.com for your supplies. I have two Lorritone 33B's spinning now and they are a great tumbler Shaun has the best price on them. ~Duke
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