ssgmorrison
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2017
Posts: 1
|
Post by ssgmorrison on Nov 28, 2017 4:16:07 GMT -5
Hey, Im an old soldier getting out of Army and looking for something I could turn into a small family business slowly over time. I havnt done any tumbling since I was 10 with one of those National Geographic toys, I saw several of ur posts where you are making jewelery and a small business outta ur hobby. I would love to do that too. My son, 11, is interested in geology and got me looking at all this and thinking. Any and everything you could send, suggest, teach, whatever would be awesome.
Thanks,
Dwight Neaco69@aol.comm
|
|
|
Post by vegasjames on Nov 28, 2017 6:18:34 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum.
You should check to see if you have any local lapidary clubs to start. They often offer inexpensive classes in things like silversmithing and faceting. They will also allow you access as a member to the equipment needed for various lapidary work.
|
|
|
Post by tims on Nov 30, 2017 16:59:20 GMT -5
Not sure about business costs, but I can say from experience that lapidary can be expensive just as a hobby. A tumbler and abrasives aren't terrible, but if you look at good saws, laps, wheels etc. you'll see that equipment, supplies and upkeep aren't cheap. There's also the skill side of working rocks; granted some people come out of the gate getting fine results, but many of us struggle before even getting the basics to a tolerable level. It's also easy to look at say a wrapped cabochon and think hey, that's pretty basic, while in reality it involves identifying good material, cutting it, shaping it, polishing it, and finally setting it. Several pieces of equipment and many hours of work can be required to make a finished piece, and paying yourself back for what you put into each piece can be difficult to justify to your customers.
Anyway, enough rain on your parade, just wanted to illuminate some of the potential drawbacks to what may seem an easy business. Would definitely suggest going the hobbyist route to start, mostly just to see if you enjoy it. Money isn't everything and there's much to be said for doing what you love regardless of how it converts to $.
|
|
fishnpinball
Cave Dweller
So much to learn, so little time
Member since March 2017
Posts: 1,491
|
Post by fishnpinball on Nov 30, 2017 19:27:40 GMT -5
I took a serious look at becoming a fishing guide when I retired from the Navy. Even though I would have enjoyed it when I looked at what it costs compared to the earnings I decided it was not a great idea. I did have a technical background which got me a good job. I recently got started in with rocks. I have probably gotten away with about 3k dollars in equipment, 18 in saw, 10 in saw, genie with saw, and 3 tumblers. Took a lot of time to find affordable stuff and had to do some work on all the used equipment. I also am not in a great area for finding decent material to work with, so it is either travel or buy. I like to find my own so it coincides with my desire to spend a week or so on the road every month. And I have not looked into wire wrapping or metal smithing yet. I can only set some standard sized cabochons if I want to make jewelry. And I did not have to sell a single pinball machine to get setup which is a win.
|
|