Luminin
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 400
|
Post by Luminin on Sept 18, 2017 10:45:34 GMT -5
I'm planning to make a trip to Nether's Farm this Saturday to dig for Flint. I was planning on getting around 5 pounds or so, but it occurred to me that maybe some of you all might like some, either buy or trade (I'd prefer to trade). If you're interested one way or another, please let me know so I can get a rough (hehe, pun intended) idea of how much I'll need to get.
Thanks, Luminin
|
|
|
Post by captbob on Sept 18, 2017 11:04:14 GMT -5
"5 pounds or so"
You're funny!
A 5 pound rock will be about the size of a softball. You need to start thinking in terms of 5 gallon buckets. And then figure out how many 5 gal buckets you can fit in your car or truck.
Figure out what your vehicle can carry and then get that much. Rocks don't go bad. Get a BUNCH and then post pictures so we can see what quality you got. You won't be able to get enough in one trip that you won't be able to trade or sell it all - if it is good quality.
A medium Flat Rate box will probably hold 20+ pounds.
Trust me on this!
|
|
|
Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 18, 2017 11:05:02 GMT -5
Good luck only picking up 5 pounds. When I went I was only in the pits a couple hours and brought home 140 pounds. Most of the pieces I got were at least 5 pounds each. I think I busted up about 80 pounds for tumbling and it all gone. Have fun. It is a great place.
Chuck
|
|
|
Post by captbob on Sept 18, 2017 11:19:43 GMT -5
You get quality flint Luminin (not all black & grey) and I'd probably be interested in a couple medium FR boxes. Really, you are gonna want to get all the (quality) rocks you can to make the trip worthwhile. Most of us that buy/trade rocks have saws, so we (I) would be interested in good sized rocks - like in the 5 to 10 lb range.
|
|
|
Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 18, 2017 11:30:12 GMT -5
You get quality flint Luminin (not all black & grey) and I'd probably be interested in a couple medium FR boxes. Really, you are gonna want to get all the (quality) rocks you can to make the trip worthwhile. Most of us that buy/trade rocks have saws, so we (I) would be interested in good sized rocks - like in the 5 to 10 lb range. Quality is key. The pits are full of flint but if you do not know the good from the bad it can be difficult. I was only picking up stuff for myself so at .50 a pound I was not real picky. I am not sure I would want to be trying to fill pre-ordered boxes for people not knowing their expectations. I learned a lot from slabbing and tumbling my first stuff so now if I go back I'll be more selective. Chuck
|
|
|
Post by captbob on Sept 18, 2017 11:37:48 GMT -5
Quality is key. The pits are full of flint but if you do not know the good from the bad it can be difficult. +1 !! Google Ohio Flint or Flint Ridge Flint and look at the images. The rocks with pinks, reds, blues and yellows are more desirable. Greens are pretty rare. That's what you are after - color. The rocks that are mostly shades of blacks & greys will still tumble just fine, but are not sought after so much.
|
|
|
Post by captbob on Sept 18, 2017 11:44:54 GMT -5
I have never been to Flint Ridge, but would imagine that you will have to work (dig) for better quality rocks. Thinkin' that just surface collecting you would be looking at well picked over rocks.
Chuck?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2017 11:50:00 GMT -5
Google is our friend. Surfing Google results will show myriad storys from successful hounders.
My memory says the best quality colors and patterns are found under a grey layer about 6' down. The depth and indicator layer may be wrong but the concept is correct
|
|
|
Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 18, 2017 11:59:31 GMT -5
I have never been to Flint Ridge, but would imagine that you will have to work (dig) for better quality rocks. Thinkin' that just surface collecting you would be looking at well picked over rocks. Chuck? Some really great tumbles can be found surface collecting but larger pieces of nice quality require some real work. I think it is a great starter rock to tumble because it so easy to get a brilliant shine on it. Chuck
|
|
|
Post by coloradocliff on Sept 18, 2017 12:01:53 GMT -5
Quality is key. The pits are full of flint but if you do not know the good from the bad it can be difficult. +1 !! Google Ohio Flint or Flint Ridge Flint and look at the images. The rocks with pinks, reds, blues and yellows are more desirable. Greens are pretty rare. That's what you are after - color. The rocks that are mostly shades of blacks & greys will still tumble just fine, but are not sought after so much. Plus one on what Bob is saying. The good stuff is in the bottom of the pits. Look at the McRocks site for help and information. That's the material you can sale or trade. If you get the colored stuff I will also buy or trade a medium flat rate box or more. No one wants the plain gray boring stuff. Thanks for the offer and take a big bar and heavy tools. A generator and a jack hammer might be awesome and make it an expedition. grin.. Going to involve some work for anything worth having.
mcrocks.com/ftr10-1/StreeterSeptember2010.html
|
|
|
Post by orrum on Sept 18, 2017 12:02:04 GMT -5
Put it in a turkey roaster full of kitty litter and dry it at 200 degrees for a day and then ramp it uo gradually to as high as it will go. Then ramp it down slowly. Then give it a dsy to chill out. Wow what fantastic colors!!!
|
|
|
Post by coloradocliff on Sept 18, 2017 12:04:10 GMT -5
Put it in a turkey roaster full of kitty litter and dry it at 200 degrees for a day and then ramp it uo gradually to as high as it will go. Then ramp it down slowly. Then give it a dsy to chill out. Wow what fantastic colors!!! Does a turkey roaster get hot enough to make it pretty? Always heard the magic temp for it was 550. Know that you knap and have collected that site and did a great job of it.
|
|
|
Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 18, 2017 12:17:27 GMT -5
A few pics of the location It helps if you bring some muscle with you In the pit digging into the side walls Nice chunk in the saw Finished goods Chuck
|
|
|
Post by Garage Rocker on Sept 18, 2017 12:20:00 GMT -5
If I wasn't going to watch my Mildcats get pummeled by those stinkin' Gators for the 50th straight year Saturday, I'd drive up and join you. It's a trip I plan on making sometime this Fall. Agree with everything said so far, never turn down the chance to bring home quality rocks. If not you, someone will want them.
|
|
|
Post by captbob on Sept 18, 2017 12:34:05 GMT -5
^^ Gotta "Like" a post about the Gators pummeling anyone!
ETA: ZIP IT Michigan fans! grrrrr.....
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2017 12:34:59 GMT -5
|
|
Luminin
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 400
|
Post by Luminin on Sept 18, 2017 12:35:09 GMT -5
Thanks for all the interest! Pictures will be presented and I'm picky with pretty much everything. I might pick up some of the boring rocks, but I'm hoping for colors!
Thanks for the advise too! I've been reading and googling for a couple of weeks now, just hoping to get lucky with where I start digging and hit into some rich material.
|
|
Luminin
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 400
|
Post by Luminin on Sept 18, 2017 12:36:43 GMT -5
I've read that a few times now @shotgunner and coloradocliff. Lots of great info there!
|
|
|
Post by fantastic5 on Sept 18, 2017 12:41:30 GMT -5
Oooh, Nethers Farm is on my bucket list. Take lots of pictures and have fun!
|
|
|
Post by coloradocliff on Sept 18, 2017 12:45:19 GMT -5
Thanks for all the interest! Pictures will be presented and I'm picky with pretty much everything. I might pick up some of the boring rocks, but I'm hoping for colors! Thanks for the advise too! I've been reading and googling for a couple of weeks now, just hoping to get lucky with where I start digging and hit into some rich material. Hope for good weather but you gotta dig for good rock.. Take gloves, hard on the hands. You'll have sore muscles if you do any good. Take plenty of cold soda and water in the cooler and hide a couple beers in the bottom. Good digging and have fun WISH WE WERE ALL WITH YOU BUT KNOW AOUR SPIRITS ARE THERE IN THE HOLE WITH YAH.. Too bad they cant help you dig.. grin..
|
|