carnivore870
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2023
Posts: 15
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Post by carnivore870 on Jun 25, 2023 20:10:06 GMT -5
Hey everyone. Brand new to the Rock tumbling hobby. I always wanted one but my dad shot it down hard when I was a kid. Always thought it was dumb and rocks belonged outside. And wouldn't allow them in his house. As a dad, my kiddo expressed and interest in rocks and I jumped at the opportunity. However, my wife at Christmas time jumped at this super great deal on this National Geographic tumbler. We are currently 6 days into our first stage, and I being a good boy followed all of the steps. After doing a deep dive I have found I should not have done that. I have become absolutely hyperfixated on everything rock tumbling. But... Expect a lot of questions as far as rock size and identification goes. As well as brand recommendations. Thank you in advance
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Post by chris1956 on Jun 25, 2023 21:17:00 GMT -5
Welcome from Missouri.
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Post by liveoak on Jun 25, 2023 21:17:44 GMT -5
Welcome from NW Florida
There are lots of people here(not me) knowledgeable on tumbling & willing to share info- so don't be shy to ask on the tumbling forum.
Patty
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jun 25, 2023 21:58:33 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona! You've come to the right place for answers and advice. There is a slew of information in the archives -- start with the Tumbling Board and you can read for a few years, I think. We have world class tumblers on here and if you haven't already, go check out Jugglerguy's YouTube channel Michigan Rocks. Enjoy the forum!
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Post by Pat on Jun 25, 2023 22:07:50 GMT -5
Welcome from California. I’m not a tumbler, but there are expert tumblers here. Enjoy!
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Post by vegasjames on Jun 25, 2023 22:22:08 GMT -5
Welcome from Southern Nevada.
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Post by jasoninsd on Jun 25, 2023 23:16:04 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota!
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,755
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Post by Mark K on Jun 26, 2023 5:24:42 GMT -5
Nat Geo is a garbage toy.
Where in MN? I am in Faribault.
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carnivore870
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2023
Posts: 15
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Post by carnivore870 on Jun 26, 2023 7:32:55 GMT -5
Nat Geo is a garbage toy. Where in MN? I am in Faribault. Yeah I'm kind of gathering that from what I've read online. I was like ya know for just a bit more you could have got this lorotone one... But I am too Danish and stubborn to buy a new one and give up on this one yet. I am located in Southwestern MN. Not sure if you've ever heard of Marshall
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ashley
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2023
Posts: 927
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Post by ashley on Jun 26, 2023 8:05:33 GMT -5
Hi from Illinois!
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michiganpebbler
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2023
Posts: 344
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Post by michiganpebbler on Jun 26, 2023 8:32:18 GMT -5
Nat Geo is a garbage toy. Where in MN? I am in Faribault. Yeah I'm kind of gathering that from what I've read online. I was like ya know for just a bit more you could have got this lorotone one... But I am too Danish and stubborn to buy a new one and give up on this one yet. I am located in Southwestern MN. Not sure if you've ever heard of Marshall Welcome from lower Michigan! In February I also received my Nat Geo as a gift and like you, have discovered it’s not that good of a tumbler. Because it runs so fast, I’ve seen a lot of chipping and cracking. Sadly, until I save for another Lortone, I’m still currently using my NG, but only for Stage 1. I load it a good 3/4 full and use a tad more water than recommended. It seems to have cut down a bit on the damage to the rocks, but not nearly enough for me to be satisfied with long term use. I bought a Lortone 33B and use it for steps 2-4, with one of the barrels dedicated to polish only. Now I just need that 2nd Lortone. And a Mini Sonic. LOL If you have any tips or tricks with the NG, I’d be interested. Again, welcome! Shelly
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rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,368
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Post by rocknewb101 on Jun 26, 2023 9:15:42 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from NE Ohio!! We got my daughter a Nat Geo for Christmas a year and a half ago - she started strong but before long I'd find it just sitting, waiting for someone to pay attention to it. So I started doing it and got hooked! Since then I've purchased a Thumlers MP-1 and a loratone 3A (along with a lot-o vibe and now waiting on a mini sonic vibe). I'll never buy another rotary tumbler outside of Loratone moving forward. The Nat Geo has served us well honestly - I've not had any issues with it and only run it on speed 1 (which is still a touch fast). I only use all of my rotaries for stage one and then move them onto the vibe when I have enough. Good luck starting out! Don't get discouraged and dig deep for your patience
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Post by Starguy on Jun 26, 2023 11:16:38 GMT -5
Welcome from Idaho.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jun 27, 2023 10:48:30 GMT -5
Here are a few videos I did about that tumbler.
Review:
How to use a Nat Geo Tumbler:
Tumbling Beach Rocks:
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 27, 2023 15:45:13 GMT -5
Welcome from VA.
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Post by drocknut on Jun 27, 2023 17:28:35 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from south central Arizona
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,622
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Post by dillonf on Jun 27, 2023 19:28:15 GMT -5
Hey everyone. Brand new to the Rock tumbling hobby. I always wanted one but my dad shot it down hard when I was a kid. Always thought it was dumb and rocks belonged outside. And wouldn't allow them in his house. As a dad, my kiddo expressed and interest in rocks and I jumped at the opportunity. However, my wife at Christmas time jumped at this super great deal on this National Geographic tumbler. We are currently 6 days into our first stage, and I being a good boy followed all of the steps. After doing a deep dive I have found I should not have done that. I have become absolutely hyperfixated on everything rock tumbling. But... Expect a lot of questions as far as rock size and identification goes. As well as brand recommendations. Thank you in advance Welcome! I made the same mistake! A year and a half later I have 5 tumblers, a flat lap, 6" saw and over 20 milkcrates full of rocks . . . it gets to be a bit of an obsession really . . .
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Post by MsAli on Jun 28, 2023 8:00:46 GMT -5
Welcome from Deerwood
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wedger
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since March 2023
Posts: 95
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Post by wedger on Jul 14, 2023 17:10:22 GMT -5
Welcome from western Washington State!
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Jul 14, 2023 21:20:31 GMT -5
Welcome from Rochester, NY!
I have a Dan & Darci tumbler which is pretty much the same thing. Comes with a 12V power supply, spins way too quickly.
I recently took a 7.5V power supply I had lying around from some other gizmo and swapped it in. Works perfectly now. At speed 1 it runs around 60 rpm. Now I’m actually running it on speed 3 for stage 1 to help accelerate things and it’s great.
Cheap and easy fix. If you don’t have one lying around, this one would do it for you: [blocked Amazon short link]3NVexLj
Positive inner, and even configurable voltage so you can tune in the speed you want.
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