retrorocker
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2005
Posts: 114
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Post by retrorocker on Aug 22, 2005 22:03:58 GMT -5
Hi, I am very new to rock tumbling, but have been in a rock crazy family going back several generations. I just bought my first tumbler (a 3 lb. Lortone) which came as a kit. Plugged in approx. 4 hours ago.
My first question to all of you learned ones: I bought 2 jasper/agate rocks on ebay. They are potato shaped about the size of my fist - can i tumble them in my 3 lb. tumbler? One of them has a lot of pits but is a beautiful color.
Thank you - I am very happy to have found this site!
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Post by Cher on Aug 22, 2005 22:13:22 GMT -5
Hi Retro,
Welcome to the forum. You got a good tumbler in the Lortone but you can't put something that big into a 3 pounder. More like an inch, maybe even an inch and a half but only a couple that size. Get a big hammer (sledge or regular rock hammer) some safety glasses and bust them into smaller pieces. Be careful if you put them on cement to bust them up (drive or walkway) cause you can crack it. I'm sure others will pop in to welcome you and answer more questions. You've definitely found a great place to learn.
Cher
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Aug 23, 2005 7:37:33 GMT -5
Hey RR, like Cher said, unless you've got a very small fist, you'll need to break the rocks down into smaller pieces. If you know someone with a tile saw, maybe they could saw them for you. If not, break out the old sledgehammer.  Ron ps Welcome to the board! |
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Aug 23, 2005 12:57:33 GMT -5
Welcome- As the others pointed out- they are too big- I go by the general rule that the rocks cannot be any bigger than 3/4 of the barrel diameter (at the rocks biggest point) this would equate to about an inch and a half- and that is pushing it- they got to roll (actually tumble) around in the barrel in order to get polished- especially if they are real pitted-
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Duckbean
fully equipped rock polisher
Looking for rocks in all the wrong places
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,072
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Post by Duckbean on Aug 23, 2005 22:40:42 GMT -5
Hi Retro and welcome to the board! You'll find all the help you need around here. A piece of 1/4 inch steel plate like 12inch by12 inch is a nice thing to bust up rock on. Pick up a piece of scrap from a welding shop it's cheap and makes it alot easier. It saves on concrete floor or step repairs, I found out the hard way!
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retrorocker
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2005
Posts: 114
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Post by retrorocker on Aug 23, 2005 23:00:53 GMT -5
Thanks for the tips! I guess I will have to hammer them smaller. I do want to know what they look like inside...... What else could be done with these rocks? Thanks much, RR.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Aug 24, 2005 10:40:32 GMT -5
You could cut them (if you have a diamond saw) Or check with a local club and see if they have a saw- Usually the clubs are pretty reasonable priced (some even let you use the equipment free if your a member) Or ask on this board- some members will cut rock for ya for a reasonable price
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retrorocker
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2005
Posts: 114
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Post by retrorocker on Aug 24, 2005 21:38:49 GMT -5
 Thanks, stefan. I am looking around the site and picking up interesting info. RetroR
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Thanks, stefan. I am looking around the site and picking up interesting info. RetroR
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