skmcconnell361
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 125
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Post by skmcconnell361 on Aug 5, 2023 22:46:41 GMT -5
Hi, my name is Sean McConnell, I bought my first rock tumbler Kit a National Geographic Hobby Tumbler. I saw it on Amazon and thought "WOW I could get started for less than 100 bucks!" I got the first batch that came with the tumbler going and also decided to do some research online while the first step ran the cycle. I came across Rocktumbler.com and order the "Modern Rock Tumbling" There I also learned about using ceramic media. so I ordered a batch of large media. I really wish I came across "Michigan Rocks" on YouTube before I started, I now know I need to get some Aluminum Oxide Powder in order to get the results I want. Thanks Rob for showing me what to expect from following the instructions. I will defiantly do the second batch following his process by streaching step one out over 2 or 3 weeks instead of the 3 to 5 days as per the instructions that came with the tumbler. Right now the 4 step grit pack is all I have, I will order some Aluminum OXide Polish and try adding that as step 5. I see a few people laughing at National Geographic advice to add a bit of mineral oil to the rocks after step four. Ok thanks for the warning I won't do that. BTW Michigan Rocks is where I found The link to this forum.
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,033
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Post by rockbrain on Aug 5, 2023 22:58:17 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from Central California. Rob aka Michigan Rocks is a great instructor. As far as getting started for less than $100, the first rock of crack cocaine is only $15! Good luck!
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Post by parfive on Aug 5, 2023 23:42:23 GMT -5
Welcome, Sean.
First things first. Call The Rock Shed and order five pounds of 60/90 silicon carbide grit. There’s no way your 4-step grit pack has enough coarse grit to get your first batch done properly.
Michigan Rocks just did a report on The Rock Shed, it should be easy to find now.
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Post by Pat on Aug 6, 2023 0:06:26 GMT -5
Welcome from California. Not a tumbler, but many tumbling experts here. Good luck!
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karasd
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2023
Posts: 3
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Post by karasd on Aug 6, 2023 2:46:01 GMT -5
Welcome from SoCal! I am new here also.
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Post by liveoak on Aug 6, 2023 6:31:42 GMT -5
Welcome from NW Florida.
Patty
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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 Aug 6, 2023 6:36:43 GMT -5
Welcome!
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Post by jasoninsd on Aug 6, 2023 7:16:23 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota!
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Aug 6, 2023 7:29:59 GMT -5
Welcome from Rochester, NY!
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Post by vegasjames on Aug 6, 2023 9:49:31 GMT -5
Welcome Sean from Southern Nevada.
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skmcconnell361
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 125
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Post by skmcconnell361 on Aug 6, 2023 13:00:52 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from Central California. Rob aka Michigan Rocks is a great instructor. As far as getting started for less than $100, the first rock of crack cocaine is only $15! Good luck! My next door neighbor is the Police K9 so I think I need to avoid that rock L . as for starting out less than $100 lets just say that goal was obliviously missed. I am about to head out and get a Dual Drum rotary tumbler similar to the one Rob at Michigan Rocks recommended.
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skmcconnell361
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 125
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Post by skmcconnell361 on Aug 6, 2023 13:06:57 GMT -5
Welcome, Sean. First things first. Call The Rock Shed and order five pounds of 60/90 silicon carbide grit. There’s no way your 4-step grit pack has enough coarse grit to get your first batch done properly. Michigan Rocks just did a report on The Rock Shed, it should be easy to find now. I already ordered extra grit from amazon, but I am ordering some aluminum oxide polish from the Rock Shed to add as step 5 in this process. hopefully I can still salvage this first batch. As my current supplies run out I will be using the rock Shed to restock.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Aug 6, 2023 21:58:06 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona!
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Post by drocknut on Aug 7, 2023 9:10:32 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from south central Arizona
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skmcconnell361
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 125
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Post by skmcconnell361 on Aug 7, 2023 18:36:14 GMT -5
Okay this is after step 1 from National Geographic Hoby tumbler instructions, (I know that was my first mistake). But at the time the four step packets was all I had and this 1/2 pound of rocks. I decided to see this through and see what I get by following the instructions. After watching several videos on Michigan Rocks Youtube channel I have lowered my expectations quite a bit. I no longer expect them to come out shinny.
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Post by jasoninsd on Aug 7, 2023 21:18:46 GMT -5
skmcconnell361 - The really good news is, if they don't come out like you're wanting, you can always run them through some of the later stages again using the supplies you get from The Rock Shed.
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ashley
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2023
Posts: 927
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Post by ashley on Aug 7, 2023 21:51:11 GMT -5
Hi from Illinois! My first tumbler was the National Geographic professional one. I actually like it. Its not bad. I have upgraded to other tumblers but actually bought a second nat geo one too. Your rocks will turn out just fine if you run them in some AO polish from the Rock Shed. That is what I did with my first batch too.
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skmcconnell361
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 125
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Post by skmcconnell361 on Aug 8, 2023 18:16:40 GMT -5
I scored this as my second rock tumbler at Harbor Freight Tool's grand opening in a town nearby. I was looking at the National Geographic professional one also but when this pop up for 30 bucks less I had to jump.
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Post by jasoninsd on Aug 9, 2023 9:16:04 GMT -5
Watch out...the accumulation of equipment is only going to get worser! LOL
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skmcconnell361
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 125
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Post by skmcconnell361 on Aug 9, 2023 10:30:48 GMT -5
Okay, I ran into my first real problem with the National Geographic Hobby Tumbler. This morning when I checked on the tumbler all of the lights was flashing and tumbler was not running. Thinking it was overloaded I took out some of the ceramic pellet's and tried again but the tumbler quit again, I did this three times and not down to about half full barrel and it the tumbler base is still erroring out less then a minute. The first three steps seemed to go fine but step four is proving to be a problem.
I probably should start step four over from scratch, but due to lack of time I just switched over to the new tumbler, because I needed to get back to work. Any suggestions?
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