tarylina
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2004
Posts: 84
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Post by tarylina on May 9, 2004 22:20:43 GMT -5
Hi, my name is Taryl and my kids and I just started tumbling rocks a week ago. On impluse, I ordered some uncleaned sapphires and rubies just to see what they looked like, then happened upon a Thumbler tumbler for practically nothing; so about a week ago we started a batch of mixed rocks (some were included in the tumbler kit.) We pulled some out this weekend, but left a few in because they didn't look done. Not that I know what "done" is supposed to look like, but I'm sure I'll have to botch a few to get it right. I think this is going to be a really fun hobby!
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Post by sandsman1 on May 9, 2004 22:42:51 GMT -5
welcome Taryl when they look good to you there done if ya think they need more 60/90 time then send them through again, i have rocks in 60/90 for 5 weeks now if they dont look right when i check next time there goin back again hahaha, its all up to you when they get to move on, in the beginning i found it real hard to wait wanting to see the finshed rocks but as you and the little ones go on you will get usta waiting for the best shape befor you move on ,, when ya get a chance start at the beginning and read your way to here alittle at a time with all the questions and answers you will get the feel for the way it goes, im new to this hobby myself but have learned alot from comming to this forum im sure you will too, if ya have a question ask im sure someone here can help with it ,i think everybody here is hooked on rocks ,and dont mind helping with a question thats what ive found so far a great buncha friends --seeya---john
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on May 10, 2004 8:53:25 GMT -5
Hey Taryl, welcome. Lots of great folks here that will be happy to answer your questions and help in any way they can. Tons of good info too.
Rubies and sapphires! LOL! I think everybody on the board got rubies, emeralds and sapphires when they first got their tumblers. And, I think most of us have had to move them out of the tumbler so we can tumble something else. Those rubies and sapphires are a booger bear, so just plan on waiting forever to see any results with them! ;D
It is fun hobby. At first it will drive you crazy because it takes SO LONG to get them out of the coarse grind - sometimes, as John said, 5 or 6 weeks! After that, it's pretty smooth sailing. Got to have lots of patience. So this hobby will not only teach you to turn out some beautiful polished stones, but will also teach you patience!
Done is when the rocks are the shape you want them and nice and smooth.
Ya' might as well start saving money for another tumbler, a saw, more grit, and always more ROCKS! ;D
This hobby is very addictive and if you really get hooked, like the rest of us, you will always want MORE!
LOL!
llana
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Post by Taryl on May 10, 2004 20:43:26 GMT -5
Thanks for all the input! I think this hobby will be perfect for us because are weeks are hectic and weekends are quiet. I'll let you know how long the first batch finally takes and how they turn out. Considering we started with some of the hardest stones first, I think it may take a while, but it will be worth it.
I'll be cruising the general board, too, for more input. Is is true that you really need to have one barrel designated for just polishing?
Like I said, we may botch the first batch, but hey - nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?
Thanks again!
Taryl
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bwalters
has rocks in the head
Member since March 2004
Posts: 557
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Post by bwalters on May 10, 2004 22:43:51 GMT -5
Welcome, Tarylina,
I think you will enjoy it here and meet lots of new 'friends'. I have. And everyone here has been a huge help to me with all of my questions.
I think that most of us started out with one barrel, but now several of us have a barrel for each phase. That's not a requirement for turning out good stones. I have 3 lb'er's that I only run coarse, pre-polish, or polish in each of the barrels. I also have a 15 lb'er that I run every phase in and have gotten some pretty stones out of it. I haven't been tumbling long enough to say anything for sure, but I think that most of this hobby is trial and error, and success depends on what pleases you!
Hope you and your kids enjoy your new hobby!
Barbara
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Post by cookie3rocks on May 10, 2004 22:44:50 GMT -5
Hi Tarylina,
Are you walking around with your head down lookin for rocks yet? If not, you will ;D
Become a member! Register and start earning points for your posts. Before you know it , you'll be ranked a God, like Sandman.
Seriously, it's alot of fun here, and lots of info to help you. Enjoy!
cookie
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on May 11, 2004 13:01:02 GMT -5
Register and start earning points for your posts. Before you know it , you'll be ranked a God, like Sandman.
I just noticed I have graduated to Senior Member! Oh my achin' back - from pickin' up all those rocks! ;D
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Post by rockyraccoon on May 11, 2004 23:00:21 GMT -5
welcome tarylina - hope you have a digital camera or a scanner to share pics with us.
kim
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tarylina
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2004
Posts: 84
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Post by tarylina on May 12, 2004 0:13:38 GMT -5
Hi, Everyone! This is really great to talk to people who can and are willing to help us with issues. Unfortunately. I'm one of those people who never stick to one hobby very long, but this one is cooler than most - and far less work! I'm still tumbling the rest of our very first batch, but I didn't really put too many rubies or sapphires in the first one. I figured we would practice on the ones that came in our kit first, then move on. It really is fascinating, though, how much prettier they are after just one week. I can really see how people can learn to see the potential beauty in a plain, ordinary rock.
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Post by mrbrett on May 13, 2004 13:26:36 GMT -5
Welcome tarylina! hope you stick with this hobby. It is amazing that rocks can have the most beautiful colors in them. I've been doing this since Dec. and I'm still finding agates and jasper and all sorts of interesting rocks that I didn't know were there. Have fun!
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Post by mrbrett on May 13, 2004 13:27:18 GMT -5
Welcome tarylina! hope you stick with this hobby. It is amazing that rocks can have the most beautiful colors in them. I've been doing this since Dec. and I'm still finding agates and jasper and all sorts of interesting rocks that I didn't know were there. Have fun!
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Post by mrbrett on May 13, 2004 13:27:31 GMT -5
Welcome tarylina! hope you stick with this hobby. It is amazing that rocks can have the most beautiful colors in them. I've been doing this since Dec. and I'm still finding agates and jasper and all sorts of interesting rocks that I didn't know were there. Have fun!
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RedwoodRocks
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2003
Posts: 762
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Post by RedwoodRocks on May 13, 2004 16:41:11 GMT -5
Hi Taryl,
Hope your rubies and sapphires come out well. Several other members have tried rubies and sapphires.
I too have a couple of kids who love to pick up lucky rocks - gravel under the deck. My wife just loves it when the kids leaves the rocks on the carpet and she steps on them. I have noticed that the polished also hurt when you step on them. LOL
Welcome aboard.
Cal
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Post by cookie3rocks on May 13, 2004 19:59:54 GMT -5
I think Brett must have a stuttering problem ;D cookie PS, I just checked a load I have in pre polish and I have this one big "saphire" that, though the color leaves much to be desired, is showing a wonderful irradesence. This is it's 3rd time through. Good Luck  cookie |
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