cincy
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2007
Posts: 2
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Hi All
Jun 25, 2007 16:35:13 GMT -5
Post by cincy on Jun 25, 2007 16:35:13 GMT -5
Hi all, just found the forum and wanted to say hello.
New to everything here. Long story short, my wifes grandparents recently passed and nobody wanted all of their rock stuff (as we called it at the time).
The family was going to throw everything away so I decided to make a trip (4 hours) and take a peak. I did have a little interest.
I have found my self a new hobby. I rented a uhaul and loaded everything up and took it home. Enough to fill my entire two car garage - rocks and tools. 14" slab saw, tumblers, slab polishers not to mention what looks like enough roks to last a life time. I can;t wait to dig in, I have a 4 year old and one year old and want to make it a family thing.
Sorry a little long winded.
Can anyone recommend some good books to get started with? All of their books were published in the 70's. I am ok with the tumbler. I have no idea as to rock identification and how to use these tools. I don't want to start cutting stuff and potentially destroying a good rock.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for any responses.
Cincy
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cleo12797
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2007
Posts: 279
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Hi All
Jun 25, 2007 18:05:34 GMT -5
Post by cleo12797 on Jun 25, 2007 18:05:34 GMT -5
Hey Cincy,
Welcome to the best rockhound site on the internet! I joined back in April and have found these people to be extremely kind, generous and knowledgeable. I think that you will find someone here with an answer to any question you may have.
Ang
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firewalker45
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 929
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Hi All
Jun 25, 2007 23:01:04 GMT -5
Post by firewalker45 on Jun 25, 2007 23:01:04 GMT -5
Hi Cincy, welcome to the board. Nothing wrong with books in the 70's. They should give you the basics. You can cut safely any rock that is 1/3 or less the diameter of the blade. In your case you can cut close to 5 inchs and under. Don't be worried about the rock. Your blade you have to be more concerned about. wreak a blade and it can bring tears as they can be expensive. lol Feel free to ask any questions as there are a lot of people here with a lot of knowledge and enjoy being helpful. Daniel
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Hi All
Jun 25, 2007 23:09:55 GMT -5
Post by Lady B on Jun 25, 2007 23:09:55 GMT -5
Hi Cincy,
Welcome to RTH. I joined in May and have had the most wonderful experiences here--fun, informative, super helpful, and friendly, VERY, VERY friendly.
I am sorry for your wife's loss but I think her grandparents would be thrilled to know their passion will now enjoy new life in at least two more generations of their family. What an incredible legacy they left.
As for books, I have many and I have also borrowed every one that our county library has in stock but of all the ones I have re: rocks themselves, my favorites are the following two:
Gemstones of the World. by Walter Schumann. ISBN 1402740166 (I love this book because it has all kinds of important info and it has color photos of gemstones in the rough, polished, cabbed, and faceted stages.)
Rock and Gem. by Ronald Louis Bonewitz. ISBN 0756609623. (This is a Smithsonian book and it is just beautiful, as well as informative.)
I buy almost all of my books at Amazon--often used and therefore at great savings--but whenever possible I check out the books first via the public library to see if a book is really worth the investment.
(I also have Introduction to Lapidary. by Pansy D. Kraus, but I am just a newbie when it comes to tumbling, cabbing, etc. so let some of the experts here at the Forum give you some suggestions on lapidary books.)
Again, Welcome aboard.
Lady B
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Hi All
Jun 26, 2007 13:41:12 GMT -5
Post by Condor on Jun 26, 2007 13:41:12 GMT -5
Welcome Cincy, and lucky you to inherit all this wonderful equipment and rocks. You know what is even better than all the stuff you just acquired? The fact that you will spend lots of time with your little ones doing it. Wait until you go on your first rock hunting trip. The looks on their faces when they find something will be priceless. Be sure to take plenty of pictures of them. Like Lady B, I too recommend the book titled Introduction to Lapidary by P.D. Kraus. That's the first book I read when I first started getting into lapidary way back in the day. Check it out here: www.amazon.com/Introduction-Lapidary-Jewelry-Crafts-Pansy/dp/0801972663/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-3006647-6096854?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182882792&sr=8-1Of course, you will learn lots here from so many people. Just ask away. Condor
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cincy
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2007
Posts: 2
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Hi All
Jun 26, 2007 14:04:16 GMT -5
Post by cincy on Jun 26, 2007 14:04:16 GMT -5
Thanks all,
I picked up the book today. Away we go!
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one80mike
freely admits to licking rocks
@(-_-)@ Princess Leia!
Member since February 2007
Posts: 908
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Hi All
Jun 26, 2007 21:10:21 GMT -5
Post by one80mike on Jun 26, 2007 21:10:21 GMT -5
Welcome Cincy,
You've got the rocks, you've got the gear, you've got the books and now that you are on the board you've got all the help, advice, experience and ideas you could possibly want.
Mike
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Hi All
Jul 2, 2007 5:44:27 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2007 5:44:27 GMT -5
Hey Cincy, welcome to the board! It's great to have a new member!
Nathaniel
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RockyBlue
fully equipped rock polisher
Go U.K.
Member since June 2006
Posts: 1,719
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Hi All
Jul 3, 2007 21:17:00 GMT -5
Post by RockyBlue on Jul 3, 2007 21:17:00 GMT -5
Welcome on board Cincy.I sent you a PM...................Rocky
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Hi All
Jul 3, 2007 23:03:21 GMT -5
Post by sbreed on Jul 3, 2007 23:03:21 GMT -5
Welcome Cincy!
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Hi All
Jul 6, 2007 21:56:10 GMT -5
Post by BuiltonRock on Jul 6, 2007 21:56:10 GMT -5
Welcome you lucky dog!!!!!! John
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Hi All
Jul 8, 2007 15:45:07 GMT -5
Post by MrP on Jul 8, 2007 15:45:07 GMT -5
Welcome, Enjoy, it is a great hobby......MrP
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