lemonyleprosy
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2024
Posts: 3
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Post by lemonyleprosy on Nov 10, 2024 3:14:21 GMT -5
Hi! I’m new.
My name is Micah, and I’ve just relocated to Idaho where apparently there are *many* places to rock hound. I just finished a half a year long motorhome trip across the US, during which my new wife and I collected lots and lots of pretty things. I’ve always looked for and picked up nifty rocks, but this will be my first time polishing and cutting and shaping and whatnot.
It’s great to meet you all!
I’d appreciate recommendations on tools- tumblers, things to use to shape and cut, etc. I’m more of a diy type of person, and quite good with electronics- so I’m definitely down to make my own tumbler if I can figure out ideal rpms, etc. I’m sure I can repurpose a motor from a thrift store or old washer/dryer or something from AS&S, supposing I can figure out an ideal gear ratio, etc.
Anyhow, hello!
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,157
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Post by dshanpnw on Nov 10, 2024 7:51:23 GMT -5
Welcome from Washington state, practically neighbors. I'd love to go rockhounding in Idaho. I made a simple tumbler for big 12 pound barrels. Getting the pulley ratio seemed complicated and it sort of is an exact science, but trust me, you can figure it out. Search barrel RPMs on this forum and you'll get plenty of answers. Covington corporation is now selling Lortone tumblers so you might want to look into a Lortone 33B model from them.
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Post by chris1956 on Nov 10, 2024 9:32:37 GMT -5
Welcome from Missouri.
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Post by opalpyrexia on Nov 10, 2024 11:54:11 GMT -5
Welcome from Washington.
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 10, 2024 15:59:03 GMT -5
Hi and welcome from Virginia.  We have a DIY section full of tumblers. Check it out. |
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Post by Starguy on Nov 10, 2024 16:22:30 GMT -5
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whalecottagedesigns
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2024
Posts: 366
Member is Online
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Post by whalecottagedesigns on Nov 10, 2024 19:24:32 GMT -5
Welcome from Dubai!
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Post by vegasjames on Nov 11, 2024 2:39:09 GMT -5
Welcome from Southern Nevada.
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rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 611
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Post by rocknrob on Nov 11, 2024 12:44:51 GMT -5
I love my Lortone 33B! Tumbling isn't a focus of mine at the moment but you will find a literal encyclopedia's worth of tumbling info on this board. Welcome from Washington State!
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lemonyleprosy
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2024
Posts: 3
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Post by lemonyleprosy on Nov 11, 2024 20:36:11 GMT -5
Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone!
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Post by Pat on Nov 11, 2024 21:21:21 GMT -5
Welcome from California.
You’ve come to the right place.
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titaniumkid
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2023
Posts: 499
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Post by titaniumkid on Nov 12, 2024 5:23:03 GMT -5
Hello from Australia |
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Post by liveoak on Nov 12, 2024 7:10:11 GMT -5
Welcome from NW Florida
Patty
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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 12, 2024 7:27:56 GMT -5
Welcome from AZ
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,167
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Post by rockbrain on Nov 12, 2024 10:20:09 GMT -5
Welcome from Central California. Always good to see new tumbler builds.
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 12, 2024 21:45:47 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota! Like has been mentioned, the DIY section has several tumbler builds...and the ratios have been discussed in there as well. You'll definitely want to kick back with a good beverage and start perusing those threads...they can occupy a LOT of time! LOL |
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Post by catmandewe on Nov 12, 2024 22:24:54 GMT -5
Welcome from Idaho.
Tony
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lemonyleprosy
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2024
Posts: 3
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Post by lemonyleprosy on Nov 14, 2024 17:17:12 GMT -5
Has anyone tried the Harbor Freight tumbler? I’m considering it just to get started while I figure out a build- it’s cheap, but I know how cheap can go- some of the tools I’ve bought from them have been great, some have been pretty much worthless.
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,167
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Post by rockbrain on Nov 14, 2024 17:55:00 GMT -5
They're not bad. My son in law runs two HF tumblers a lot and has very few issues. I've run one quite a bit with no issues. They have changed and have a new one out now. Different brand but it looks like the same thing.
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We have a DIY section full of tumblers. Check it out. 
