jimmyriley
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2019
Posts: 6
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Post by jimmyriley on Jun 10, 2019 16:32:26 GMT -5
Hello from Virginia, I have been reading for a couple days now. All I keep thinking is OMG there's so much knowledge and help within the forum. I have not tumbled since I was a kid and was looking for something else to do and had the ability to purchase a few things. I started watching some videos (meMiner) on Youtube and it reminded me of the fun I had in my youth. My wife was walking by and saw the video and now she is just as excited or even more excited than I am. Anyways, I will be starting with Rotary and bought a couple Thumler 15lb tumblers along with grit and plastic/ceramic media. I have some rough Agates and Jasper inbound and hope to start my first batch this coming up weekend. I have seen multiple members indicate Agate and Jasper are a great introduction to tumbling and give a great shine. I will post some Pictures as I go. Look forward to the forum and interaction. Take care, Jim
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Post by MsAli on Jun 10, 2019 16:37:25 GMT -5
Hi Jim & welcome from Fresno Ca
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Post by Rockindad on Jun 10, 2019 17:12:23 GMT -5
Good luck Jim, tons of knowledge here. Don't miss out on all of the history either, the tumbling section has almost 15 years of posts.
Al
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jun 10, 2019 20:22:19 GMT -5
Sounds like you are off to a good start with equipment and supplies. Have fun.
Chuck
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Jun 10, 2019 21:37:02 GMT -5
Hi Jim! Welcome!
I found this place looking for advice (been rolling for 2 and 1/4 years) and have learned a lot here! It’s an incredibly enjoyable and rewarding hobby.
One bit of advice I’ll always share for a beginner (and one I wish I knew when I started) is too stay patient. Don’t move a single rock out of the rough stage that you’re not happy with. The later stages just make them shinier and smoother but won’t remove pits, cavities, scratches....ect. If you’re happy with how they look then move them along. If there’s still something about them that you’re not happy with them leave them in your first rough stage.
Looking forward to seeing your results!
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jun 10, 2019 21:38:21 GMT -5
I’m looking forward to seeing your results. I enjoy both the rock hunting and doing something with them when I get them home. It will be a great activity for you and your wife. Welcome to the forum.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jun 10, 2019 22:38:42 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona!
While I don't tumble, I never tire of looking at the shiny tumbles from other folks.
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Post by aDave on Jun 10, 2019 22:55:48 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum! As others have mentioned, it sounds like you're off to a great start. With tumblers of that size, make sure you have plenty of grit, especially for your coarse stage. Take advantage of the weight being rolled and get 46/70 as opposed to 60/90. Good luck.
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Post by TheRock on Jun 11, 2019 7:39:48 GMT -5
Hi Jim, And welcome! A Couple Thumler B's Huh? Good Job, I'm Kinda partial to them myself. As I run 6 of them full time. I Look fwd to seeing your results. In the near future you need to pick up a Vibe if you can afford it. There are many world class tumbler Artists here that can guide you and save you lots of head aches. Goodluck.
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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 Jun 11, 2019 8:10:10 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum! As others have mentioned, it sounds like you're off to a great start. With tumblers of that size, make sure you have plenty of grit, especially for your coarse stage. Take advantage of the weight being rolled and get 46/70 as opposed to 60/90. Good luck. Welcome from Newark, Delaware I have a couple of Tumler Model B 15lbs and second this earlier post. I use the coarsest grit, #60, that I can find in 40lb bags. It goes fast in these model B machines. Step 1 for agates and jasper will usually take me about 2 months or more. I try to trim any rock with cracks, pits, etc. before starting step 1 , no sense wasting a bunch of time and grit on something that will turn out ugly. I use a Tummler UV-18 vibratory for Steps 2 through final polish. That machine will keep your Mod B's going 24/7 and you still won't catch up to the UV-18.
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Jun 12, 2019 12:15:27 GMT -5
Welcome to the RTH from Las Vega$, Nevada! I look forward to seeing your first results.
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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 Jun 12, 2019 18:54:32 GMT -5
Be Bold . . . Use #30 grit ...
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jimmyriley
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2019
Posts: 6
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Post by jimmyriley on Jun 12, 2019 21:45:28 GMT -5
Thanks for the welcome and great advice.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jun 13, 2019 0:04:53 GMT -5
I have a couple of Tumler Model B 15lbs and second this earlier post. I use the coarsest grit, #60, that I can find in 40lb bags. It goes fast in these model B machines. 30 grit SiC the coarsest I am aware of. I get mine from Kingsley North, currently $92.50 for fifty lbs. SKU 0-0170 link
Make sure you call them @ 1-800-338-9280 (don't order 50 lbs of grit through the website, it does not offer this option!) ask them to ship via USPS in a large flat rate box. This will save quite a bit of $ over UPS, but the box sometimes is received damaged. I would ask them if they would use some extra tape, pretty please? Depending on the aggressiveness of the postal employees that manhandle it, sometimes no package is safe, no matter how well it is packaged. The last package of grit I received in the mail had been speared by a forklift, I think, and possibly lost some of the contents. I'm okay with that.
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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 Jun 13, 2019 8:27:17 GMT -5
How does the 30 grit break down in your tumbler? The 60 grit is pretty well broken down after a couple of weeks.
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jimmyriley
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2019
Posts: 6
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Post by jimmyriley on Jun 13, 2019 8:54:55 GMT -5
When I first got the idea to start his hobby, I started reading up and noticed many people use various recipes. When I ordered my supplies to start, I ordered a 25lbs of 36 grit SIC, 25 lbs of 46/70 SIC, and smaller amounts of 60/90 SIC. Since I have 2 big 15lb tumblers I will experiment and probably end up mixing in the 60/90 with the lower grit. I will then use my 2 smaller 12lb tumblers for stages 2 and up.
Amazing the amount of knowledge is within this forum. Never get tired of reading.
Jim
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jun 13, 2019 10:05:31 GMT -5
How does the 30 grit break down in your tumbler? The 60 grit is pretty well broken down after a couple of weeks. I also use 12 lb rotaries. The grit is pretty well broken down by the end of a week. Not gone, but no longer has sharp corners for cutting. That is why I add more grit a couple times a week, with no clean outs between. I do have to monitor the slurry thickness more closely, draining some off and adding more water occasionally. When the rocks are ready to move on to the next grit, I let it roll for another week or three without adding any more grit and just let it all break down to a fine powder. Just make sure to clean the rocks thoroughly before proceeding. If any of the coarse grit is left in any crevices, it will create havoc in your subsequent steps. It does use more grit this way (hence, why I buy 50 lbs at a time), but it really does speed the first stage tumble. I don't add on the finer grits, just the coarse.
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rodeodan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 213
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Post by rodeodan on Jun 13, 2019 10:40:00 GMT -5
Welcome aboard
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jimmyrob25
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2019
Posts: 3
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Post by jimmyrob25 on Jun 16, 2019 21:55:59 GMT -5
Hi Jim! Welcome! I found this place looking for advice (been rolling for 2 and 1/4 years) and have learned a lot here! It’s an incredibly enjoyable and rewarding hobby. One bit of advice I’ll always share for a beginner (and one I wish I knew when I started) is too stay patient. Don’t move a single rock out of the rough stage that you’re not happy with. The later stages just make them shinier and smoother but won’t remove pits, cavities, scratches....ect. If you’re happy with how they look then move them along. If there’s still something about them that you’re not happy with them leave them in your first rough stage. Looking forward to seeing your results!
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saxplayer
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2018
Posts: 1,327
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Post by saxplayer on Jun 17, 2019 9:06:27 GMT -5
Welcome! Your equipment is off to a great start! As everyone here said - patience is key. Also, depending on what you want to do - the 2nd-3rd (or 4th stages depending) people frequently use a vibratory tumbler. A lot of use use the Lot-o to do so. It saves about 3 weeks time (or more) as the stages 2-4 can be done in 1 week versus 3-6 weeks in a rotary tumbler. When I started I bought 2 x 12lb tumblers and immediately go the Lot-o because it seemed like it would save a ton of time and BOY does it Just info for you - looking forward to seeing your first tumbles - in the fall !
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