textiger
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 946
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Post by textiger on May 19, 2005 2:28:15 GMT -5
My name is Matt and I am becoming a rock-aholic.
I am way new to tumbling (my first small batch is in a toy tumbler in the garage, going through the coarse stage) and have tons of questions. I will limit myself to three for this initial post:
1. What is the best beginner's book/reference/resource for identifying rocks that board users can recommend?
2. How often do any of you pick up rocks around your neighborhood/normal environment and toss them in the tumbler? I don't expect to be able to make any real rock hunting trips, but am always intrigued by stuff I find here and there. I'm plotting a quick visit to some railroad tracks this week.
3. Finally, and this is probably the newbiest question of all: I keep coming across dullish rocks that appear to be mostly smooth (straight to pre-polish?). They are very hard and appear to be translucent inside. I have them in reds, purples, browns and cream/tans. Is this a quartz? Or is it just some junk rock that nobody wastes their time on?
Thanks for reading and for any answers you may have.
--matt
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agatenut
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 127
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Post by agatenut on May 19, 2005 6:15:28 GMT -5
Welcome aboard, matt! You're soon going to get so hooked you'r going to need a larger tumbler! I don't know what books are out there, but when I got my Lortone tumbler, it came with a really good manual. Online sources(and this site) have tons of good info.
I makeit a point to go rockhounding every weekend at least for an hour or so. I'm always looking for new spots while I'm driving around. (businesses that decorate with gravels, etc.) Railroad tracks can be excellent sites.
Those dullish, translucent rocks are quartz. They polish beautifully. Some have inclusions that make them really interesting!
Enjoy the hobby!
ralph
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Rose
Cave Dweller 
Member since November 2004
Posts: 875
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Post by Rose on May 19, 2005 6:50:09 GMT -5
Hi Matt Welcome to the forum - this forum has been the best source of information for me. Read on and have fun  |
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on May 19, 2005 11:33:41 GMT -5
Welcome to the group and the boards. You will find most
of the information you seek right here on the boards.
I live about 100 miles north of you near Lake Somerville.
You should have no problem finding lots of nice rocks to work with. Look in gravel pits, pastures, creekbeds etc.
You can also buy rocks from other members of this group or from shops on the internet or ebay.
I would recommend dropping the kiddie tumbler and go ahead and get a real one....tumblers tumbler or lortone, or check out harbour freight..all are good.
Most of all...just have lots of fun picking up nice looking rocks and working with them..that's what this hobby is all about...
Pho
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Post by Cher on May 19, 2005 15:54:05 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum Matt, won't be long and you'll be wanting more tumblers and more rocks. Also, it's a must to have a camera so we can see the pics ... we love eye candy here.
Yes, I pick up local stuff all the time. Sounds like your's are really cool, great colors. I'd sure give them a try!
Cher
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Post by sandsman1 on May 19, 2005 19:36:24 GMT -5
hi matt welcome ---if i was you any rock that looks cool to you can only get better in the tumbler,, so dont pass any up-- when you go rock hunting take a windex bottle or something like that with you full of water and when you find something cool lookin spray it and it will give you an idea what it will look like polished-- it brings out the color and design in the rock
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Post by gaetzchamp on May 19, 2005 22:50:12 GMT -5
Welcome aboard Matt-
This is a great place for info. Look back at previous posts for help or just go ahead and ask questions. In the Photos section members usually post their pictures of finished product and include the tumbling times and grit stages and that should give you a good baseline about how long you should be tumbling your material.
A lot of peole have posted pictures of their "driveway gravel" and they really look good. I agree w/ Sands, just pick up whatever looks promising and get it wet.
You'll need some tools too to get started. Hammers, beaters, chisels, safety glasses to break larger pieces into manageable ones for the tumbler.
One thing I learned here was to have a good mix of small, medium and large rocks. The smaller ones (gravel sized) help get into the little nooks to help smooth them out. Other use pellets or other material in place of smaller gravel. I was tumbling rocks that were too large at first.
Anyway, just a few tips. Don't be shy, just fire those questions at us. The people here are awesome, feel lucky that you found this board.....it's the best in the business.
later, gaeter
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Post by krazydiamond on May 20, 2005 16:06:15 GMT -5
welcome, Matt! ;D
save your money on books, read some stuff in here, especially "Lapidary Tips", no better source of info out there than in here.
there are some amazingly good guides and references in here, and the photos say it all.
KD
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