Post by Roger on Mar 25, 2023 7:46:18 GMT -5
Hello all.
My name is Roger and for several years, many years ago, I was an active member of the forums. I started off here in 2013 trying to learn to tumble then quickly dropped tumbling and moved into cabochons and finally into sphere making. Health issues, primarily with my hands, sidelined me about 5 years ago. I was sort of given a choice between continuing to cut cabs or probably lose the use of my thumbs within another few years. Very easy, though painful choice.
I stepped away from all things lapidary and eventually sold all my equipment, material, media, completed cabs, most of my spheres, and shut down my Etsy shop. In general, it wasn't the greatest time in my life. I needed to get rid of it all because it was too depressing keeping it around and knowing I couldn't "do that" anymore. Subsequently, I also left the Rock Tumbling community. It became painful watching other people do something I couldn't anymore. Creating Cabochons was my daily outlet for quite a few inner-demons for many years.
Fast-forward several years and I now have 6-year-old granddaughter who is obsessed with shiny rocks, what they are, where they come from, and; "how do you make them "Pop-Pop?"" I can't lie. I am a sucker for a blue-eyed blonde, even if they are money traps.
This week I picked up a Thumblers UltraVibe Industrial 18lb. I wanted a 10lb but, yikes! UltraVibes are out-of-stock everywhere! I also bought a Thumblers Model B 15lb rotary tumbler, 15lbs of ceramic media and more grit than I care to admit to purchasing. I set everything up in my garage and....I realized I never did get tumbling down very well. I figure before I start my first batch of anything, I may as well come to the experts to see how its done, get some advice on colorful rock types and mixes to purchase for easier first batches, where to buy decent tumbling rock, and lastly (though..first...ly?) What rock to media to grit to water tends to work best with both types of tumblers.
Yep, I want all the secrets!
Any way. I hope old friends are still around and will accept an apology for my disappearing act. Things got painful for me and I am coward. I am very sorry ghosting everyone for so long.
Roger
My name is Roger and for several years, many years ago, I was an active member of the forums. I started off here in 2013 trying to learn to tumble then quickly dropped tumbling and moved into cabochons and finally into sphere making. Health issues, primarily with my hands, sidelined me about 5 years ago. I was sort of given a choice between continuing to cut cabs or probably lose the use of my thumbs within another few years. Very easy, though painful choice.
I stepped away from all things lapidary and eventually sold all my equipment, material, media, completed cabs, most of my spheres, and shut down my Etsy shop. In general, it wasn't the greatest time in my life. I needed to get rid of it all because it was too depressing keeping it around and knowing I couldn't "do that" anymore. Subsequently, I also left the Rock Tumbling community. It became painful watching other people do something I couldn't anymore. Creating Cabochons was my daily outlet for quite a few inner-demons for many years.
Fast-forward several years and I now have 6-year-old granddaughter who is obsessed with shiny rocks, what they are, where they come from, and; "how do you make them "Pop-Pop?"" I can't lie. I am a sucker for a blue-eyed blonde, even if they are money traps.
This week I picked up a Thumblers UltraVibe Industrial 18lb. I wanted a 10lb but, yikes! UltraVibes are out-of-stock everywhere! I also bought a Thumblers Model B 15lb rotary tumbler, 15lbs of ceramic media and more grit than I care to admit to purchasing. I set everything up in my garage and....I realized I never did get tumbling down very well. I figure before I start my first batch of anything, I may as well come to the experts to see how its done, get some advice on colorful rock types and mixes to purchase for easier first batches, where to buy decent tumbling rock, and lastly (though..first...ly?) What rock to media to grit to water tends to work best with both types of tumblers.
Yep, I want all the secrets!
Any way. I hope old friends are still around and will accept an apology for my disappearing act. Things got painful for me and I am coward. I am very sorry ghosting everyone for so long.
Roger