Introduction

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brian
having dreams about rocks

Member since September 2005
Posts: 70

Introduction Sept 23, 2005 23:36:58 GMT -5

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Post by brian on Sept 23, 2005 23:36:58 GMT -5

Fantastic site! So glad to have found you all. Tumbling is something I've been interested in but now I'm keen on it after having spent a couple days with this site and in your "company".

I confess I am an absolute beginner with no rock experience. That said, I'm hoping any and all will feel free to give me a walk-through with advice as to what kind of tumbler (type, brand, etc.) as well as rough to start with and reputable vendor(s). Also what's a reasonable amount to pay for a basic set-up that can be expanded if I get deeply involved in the hobby. (Looks like that's inevitable if you all are any indication....

This may be info I could discover by poring over the list archives so I hope it's not too presumptuous to ask for a consolidated reprise. Hopefully other newbies here can profit from it too. The intro info is worth it's weight in gold where the "how to" is concerned. I'm mostly interested in recommendations for beginners based on the experience of listmembers here regarding what's best out there and where to acquire it.

Sorry to hold forth at length. I'll close here so I can return to the photo archives (and drool).

Thanks for any help you might give.

Brian

"Friendship dances through the world bidding us all to awaken to the recognition of happiness."
-- Epicurus

rockds
still telling self it's just a hobby

Member since September 2005
Posts: 4,130

Introduction Sept 24, 2005 0:16:41 GMT -5

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Post by rockds on Sept 24, 2005 0:16:41 GMT -5

Welcome Brian!

You can get great info from this site as I have, people are very friendly and will answer ur ?s - I've asked a lot (started 2 weeks ago). I purchased two tumblers both Lortone. A 6lb and a double 3lb. therockshed.com is a good place to start and seem to have the best prices that I've found on the net not only for tumblers but also for grit/polish and have a nice selection of rocks as well.

I would recomend that you do some research either on this site or others (I did both) to make sure you meet your needs. One thing I can say for sure is you need to get at least 2 barrels and keep 1 for polishing only.

Hope this helps.

Robert

Quick to judge, quick to anger, slow to understand.
Ignorance and Prejudice and fear walk hand-in-hand.

xenaswolf driving up their electric bill Member since August 2005 Posts: 2,319	Introduction Sept 24, 2005 11:23:20 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by xenaswolf on Sept 24, 2005 11:23:20 GMT -5 Brian welcome to the fold. If these folks don't know the answer to a question, they will find it for you!

Cher
In Memoriam

Tumbling is addictive - Resistance is futile - You will be assimilated

Member since August 2004
Posts: 14,072

Introduction Sept 24, 2005 11:34:46 GMT -5

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Post by Cher on Sept 24, 2005 11:34:46 GMT -5

Hi Brian,
Welcome to the forum. There's plenty of info here and despite consolidated responses, it's a good thing to browse through the past posts. You'll find stuff that we might not remember. (ok, I mean me, I have crs really bad ... *smile*)
My recommendations ... get a Lortone or Thumlers
Deal with www.therockshed.com they have earned a reputation for kindness, honesty and fast service.

Cher

The very existence of flame-throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone
said to themselves, You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm
just not close enough to get the job done.
George Carlin

brian
having dreams about rocks

Member since September 2005
Posts: 70

Introduction Sept 25, 2005 7:55:24 GMT -5

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Post by brian on Sept 25, 2005 7:55:24 GMT -5

Robert, Xenaswold & Cher - Thanks for the welcome and advice. The Rockshed it is. I took a look at their site and they have everything I need and what looks to be reasonable pricing. I appreciated that their site was easy to navigate as well as easy on the eyes.

Now to start budgeting...

I really like Rockshed's carnelian from Madagascar. Would that be a decent rock for a beginner? I love the stone from Orland and Chihuahua in James' pics. Are they available retail anywhere? That mugglestone is beautiful too.

Does anybody have any books to recommend - field guides, tumbling, geology, etc?

Thanks for all your help -- Brian

"Friendship dances through the world bidding us all to awaken to the recognition of happiness."
-- Epicurus

Cher
In Memoriam

Tumbling is addictive - Resistance is futile - You will be assimilated

Member since August 2004
Posts: 14,072

Introduction Sept 25, 2005 8:35:48 GMT -5

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Post by Cher on Sept 25, 2005 8:35:48 GMT -5

I would recommend agates, quartz or jasper to start with. Those are pretty easy to put a shine on and good beginner rocks. The carnelian would be fine, Kim has the mugglestone at www.deltarockgallery.com Mexican Lace is pretty but it takes a long time to polish, and is better (IMO) slabbed. Post your questions on stuff (other rocks, polishes, etc.) over on the general forum so more of the members are likely to see them.

Cher

fatrichie has rocks in the head Member since July 2004 Posts: 651	Introduction Sept 30, 2005 0:09:19 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by fatrichie on Sept 30, 2005 0:09:19 GMT -5 Glad your here Brian!!

rockyraccoon
no longer being taken for granite

Member since December 2003
Posts: 7,980

Introduction Sept 30, 2005 3:28:07 GMT -5

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Post by rockyraccoon on Sept 30, 2005 3:28:07 GMT -5

brian welcome! so much to learn in this hobby but it's all good stuff. before you know it you will know more than you ever thought you would and still there will be plenty more to learn. posts on good books:
forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1120156518

forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1076952912

kim

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Chat Box v.2

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RickB:

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RickB:

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RickB: Life's a Beach Nov 30, 2024 6:59:10 GMT -5

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Son Of Beach:

Nov 30, 2024 17:05:10 GMT -5

RickB:

Dec 1, 2024 15:23:35 GMT -5

dandresow: Thanks. Haven't done anything with rocks for years. Just fixed an older HP 18 inch and dug out a 10 inch and 18in Lortone and I have a couple of trim saws and need to make something to cab with. We stay broke and I only have enough to put oil in 1 Dec 1, 2024 16:49:20 GMT -5 *

rocknrob: It's all fun and games until your rock habit turns into a lapidary habit. Dec 2, 2024 20:58:48 GMT -5

larfor: New to the forum and to rock tumbling. Hello all! Dec 2, 2024 21:29:20 GMT -5

RickB: