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Post by phil on Mar 24, 2019 16:30:09 GMT -5
was looking for a kids rock tumbler. I remember when even harbor freight sold them for $20. Today, the cheapest I found was around $60 - $70 !!!!!! What happened? Did I fall asleep to long? Wow. Kids R us is gone, walmart target and other are no longer cheap, wow. So, anyone know where to find a cheap kids rock tumbler that will probably only be used once or twice?
Thanks.
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Post by Pat on Mar 24, 2019 17:48:15 GMT -5
American Science Surplus has on for $36.
I googled National Geographic rock tumbler. eBay has a used one for $14. I think.
Good luck.
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Post by Rockindad on Mar 24, 2019 18:18:33 GMT -5
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Post by gmitch067 on Mar 24, 2019 20:16:53 GMT -5
philI bought a National Geographic tumbler for my Grandson 2.5 years ago... and it is still unused sitting atop his closet shelf. Although I can not bring myself to asking for it back... It DOES fit the description of the tumbler you are looking for. Lol! At the time I knew ZIP about tumbling (still do...). It seemed a good gift for a 12 year old whose only love was a computer game (WOW). Instead, the research into his present caught my interest, which turned into my present obsession.
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gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
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Post by gatorflash1 on Mar 25, 2019 8:28:03 GMT -5
PHIL - I think the secret to getting kids into the tumbling hobby is to get an adult to gently and patiently help them through the process; their parents, grandparents, neighbors, local rock club, etc. Even as a teen I'm not sure their little undeveloped brains really understand the beauty and joy of the hobby. It has to be FUN for kids or they quickly zone out, at least in my experience! Setup the tumbler, then go to McDonalds for a happy meal! My daughter's two cheeky monkeys are old enough (8 and 12 yrs) to do some of the tumbling work, but her interest in rocks, hiking and rock hounding in the Seattle WA area, and making beautiful beaded necklaces helped greatly to get the girls into the hobby. They seem to really like to go hiking with mom, dad, and friends and collect rocks. Their divine sense of curiosity makes them want to see how the rocks turn out after being tumbled. I bought a decent tumbler for them as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago, not some junky toy tumbler. The price was about $150 but well worth it. www.amazon.com/Thumlers-Model-R2-Rock-Tumbler/dp/B003KSSHD6/ref=asc_df_B003KSSHD6/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid={creative}&hvpos={adposition}&hvnetw=o&hvrand={random}&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl={devicemodel}&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583589102159411&psc=1 I send them ziplock bags of different grit and polish from my 40 lb. bags occasionally to help out the cause. I also sent them a batch of mixed agates and jasper, some ceramic media and the Modern Rock Tumbling book to help them out when they first got started. They now understand that stage 1 takes a lot more time than just a week. Just my two cents on the subject.
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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 Mar 25, 2019 9:06:41 GMT -5
I think the best way to guarantee it will only be used once or twice is to get them one of noisy, hard-to-seal, leak-prone, did I mention noisy, kids' tumblers. A decent used Lortone or Thumbler's Tumbler won't cost much more and you'll have a chance of actually keeping them in the hobby. Ask around, you may know someone who has moved up to a larger machine and has their smaller one gathering dust in the garage.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 25, 2019 10:27:37 GMT -5
I have the grandkids come over to Grandpa's and they tumble their rocks here... I let them do all the setup and steps, but Grandpa does the watch (When they take off to go home).. Get more visits that way too... Buy them a little Lortone off Ebay, it's worth the investment buddy.... Two thumbs up
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Mar 26, 2019 9:29:32 GMT -5
I think there are a lot of great suggestions above. And I realize that you might be apprehensive about investing too much money in a tumbler that might likely just turn out to be a passing fancy.
Like many above, I would suggest a smaller Lortone unit. And think of it as a tumbler for yourself.
a) If they end up loving the hobby, then it will be a worthwhile investment for their future. It won't just break after a year. b) If they don't, then you end up with a unit that will last you for years. And you can likely put it to use right away.
It will be a win - win
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Wooferhound on Mar 26, 2019 12:24:31 GMT -5
phil I bought a National Geographic tumbler for my Grandson 2.5 years ago... and it is still unused sitting atop his closet shelf. Although I can not bring myself to asking for it back...
Just ask to borrow it ?!
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Post by phil on Mar 28, 2019 21:38:55 GMT -5
Thanks all. It's not for any kids, I have abot2 or 3 pounds of turquoise that I need to tumble, then I'm done with it. That's why I'm looking for a cheap one that doesn't have to last long/ Maybe I'll just take an old, slow motor (like me!) and kluge something up. Wonder if a coffee can would hold up for a couple hours...hmmmm.
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