interestedmom
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2005
Posts: 2
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Post by interestedmom on Nov 21, 2005 15:28:22 GMT -5
Hi, I've been studying this hobby for a year now for my son. He picks up pocket fulls of rocks everywhere he goes. He has a whole drawer full of rocks. Since he has ADHD, he has a short attention span. I'm wondering if anyone out there has any experience getting their kid into rock tumbling as a hobby, especially an ADHD kid. I thought he would enjoy the polished version of the rough stones and he does like to craft almost anything. Any experience you can share with me will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Post by rockds on Nov 21, 2005 17:45:39 GMT -5
Welcome first of all and I will be gald to tell that if your son is picking up/collecting rocks more that not he would love to see them polished up - I know I did. The kicker is that if you get him a tumbler, please make sure it is a good one. The 'toy' ones often break which will lead to frustations down the road. The Lortone 33B would be a great start IMO. I don't know your child's age but he made need some 'help' at first. Tumbling is a great way for you son to learn about rocks and geology for that matter. Each step takes a little time but he will be able to do other things in between. One of the great things is that if he forget about them, it wont hurt anything.
Hope this helps
robert
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Post by Cher on Nov 21, 2005 18:17:11 GMT -5
Don't get a vibratory tumbler though, they require babysitting, but with a rotary tumbler like Robert mentioned I would think that it would work fine. Doesn't take long to set up and get it rolling, changing in between stages doesn't take that much time either. They are left for a week or so between each set up so they wouldn't require his undivided attention. With a minimal amount of work, I think he could enjoy it. The Lortone 33B is good, it has two tumblers, one can be used for the first couple stages, the second for the later polishing stages. Good luck!!
Cher
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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 Nov 21, 2005 18:40:33 GMT -5
.....and when you change grits be sure to NOT dump it down the sink. Dump it outside somewhere.....
Pho
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interestedmom
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2005
Posts: 2
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Post by interestedmom on Nov 21, 2005 18:49:41 GMT -5
Thank you. I am looking at the tumbler you all recommended. I like the fact that you do not have to watch over it constantly, but do have to spend a little time with it here and there. The fact that it has two barrels could make the process more interesting and provide gratification which is what motivates these children. I love this web site and think we both could get a lot of support and information about the hobby. Thank you so much for your help.
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Nov 22, 2005 11:20:06 GMT -5
Yes he is a rockhound- My 9 year old "helps" me all the time- Sometimes she gets bored (what chid doen't) but when I pull a batch out of final burnish- her and I spend a lot of time going through them (she does not have ADHD- but that does not matter) I have yet to find a child who can resist picking up a smooth shiny rock and rubbing it!
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Post by rockds on Nov 22, 2005 12:36:19 GMT -5
mom, I found this site a little while ago - the best price on the 33B that I could find (don't know shipping cost). Check under the vendors section, Lortone Prices for other options. www.acelapidary.comrobert |
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