Post by bschultz on Mar 31, 2004 16:19:22 GMT -5
Hi, I'm Bob Schultz. I've lived in south Texas all my life and have had a passing interest in rocks since childhood. About 6 yrs ago when my youngest son was about 13 he developed a strong interest in rock and lapidary fueled by his uncle who lived in Portland Ore. at the time and had a small lapidary shop. I let my young son go for a visit (flying on a plane for the first time and a layover in Vegas to boot all by himself). I was a nervous wreck until he arrived but all turned out well and he returned in two weeks with a beautiful Opal ring that he had made for his mom in his uncles shop. He was hooked and so was I.
The first lapidary tool we bought was a very small tumbler and used it till we wore the barrel out. We then started buying other equipment, a slab saw, trim saw (actually we made the trim saw but it works great), an "All You Need" horizontal plane grinder for cabs etc. etc.
We joined the local Gem and Mineral club so that we could meet other rock people and learn more about how to best use some of the equipment we had collected. We met a lot of nice folks. As a matter of fact, one of the gentlemen in the club was a man who was one of the Dads that lived on my street when I was a child. Kind of a coincidence. Anyway, at the first annual club picnic that we went to they asked me to be Vice President. It's not that they were all that impressed with me, It was the "new meat syndrome" but I held the position for 2 yrs and then President for 2 yrs. As of now I am Show chairman for next years Gem and Mineral show.
Am I rambling? Sorry. I have been wanting to get another tumbler for a long time but just kept putting it on the back burner. The club uses a lot of tumble rock for the show each year and I wanted help supply some of it. Well I was at the show last weekend (the same show llana was at) and found an old Thumler Model B. It was really nasty but dirt cheap so I bought it and am fixing it up. I got on the internet on Monday and stumbled onto this site and saw llanas post about being at the same show that I had worked at and the rest is history. You guys have been very helpful in getting me back into tumbling. Thank You all. I think all I will need to buy is a new seal. I've got it all oiled up and had it rolling last night just for a shake down. The barrel is a little untrue like it must have been dropped on its bottom at one time but It looks like it will roll alright.
Well I guess I've soaked up enough bandwidth. Thanks Andy for creating this board. It was a "Jewel" of a find.
Bob Schultz
The first lapidary tool we bought was a very small tumbler and used it till we wore the barrel out. We then started buying other equipment, a slab saw, trim saw (actually we made the trim saw but it works great), an "All You Need" horizontal plane grinder for cabs etc. etc.
We joined the local Gem and Mineral club so that we could meet other rock people and learn more about how to best use some of the equipment we had collected. We met a lot of nice folks. As a matter of fact, one of the gentlemen in the club was a man who was one of the Dads that lived on my street when I was a child. Kind of a coincidence. Anyway, at the first annual club picnic that we went to they asked me to be Vice President. It's not that they were all that impressed with me, It was the "new meat syndrome" but I held the position for 2 yrs and then President for 2 yrs. As of now I am Show chairman for next years Gem and Mineral show.
Am I rambling? Sorry. I have been wanting to get another tumbler for a long time but just kept putting it on the back burner. The club uses a lot of tumble rock for the show each year and I wanted help supply some of it. Well I was at the show last weekend (the same show llana was at) and found an old Thumler Model B. It was really nasty but dirt cheap so I bought it and am fixing it up. I got on the internet on Monday and stumbled onto this site and saw llanas post about being at the same show that I had worked at and the rest is history. You guys have been very helpful in getting me back into tumbling. Thank You all. I think all I will need to buy is a new seal. I've got it all oiled up and had it rolling last night just for a shake down. The barrel is a little untrue like it must have been dropped on its bottom at one time but It looks like it will roll alright.
Well I guess I've soaked up enough bandwidth. Thanks Andy for creating this board. It was a "Jewel" of a find.
Bob Schultz
), Bob, it's we who thank you for finding us. You're experience will help others for sure. Would be interesting to hear about how you made some of your equipment sometime.
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