waytogoalice
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2008
Posts: 1
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Post by waytogoalice on Jun 6, 2008 20:44:54 GMT -5
I am new to the hobby and slightly intimidated by the experience of the members. I have a HF 2 barrell tumbler that have produced 1 batch of rock that I am pleased with. I want to keep the price of this hobby to a minimum and I want to make the most of the equipment I have...Any advice?
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Post by akansan on Jun 6, 2008 21:10:45 GMT -5
No need to be intimidated by the members. You're exactly where I was when I started.
The HF (we call it a CE here) can be a good tumbler. If you have to replace parts, you'll probably end up paying just as much in the end as one of the "higher" end tumblers, but it's spread out over time. Like with most HF products, quality even among the CE tumblers varies. I think there's still one person here who's using the CE without replacing anything but the belt after a couple years! I wasn't so lucky with mine.
If parts start going out, the Lortone parts are easy replacements with minor adjustments.
We love pics! Care to show us your tumble?
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Terry664
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2005
Posts: 1,146
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Post by Terry664 on Jun 6, 2008 21:17:09 GMT -5
Well I am certainly not one of the elite here, but I have accomplished more than I thought I would, and I am very happy where I am in the hobby. My equiptment consists of 2 model T Thumler tumblers and one AR-2 double 3 lb tumbler(also a Thumler), I got these over a three year period, I have had the AR-2 for about 2 years. I also use a WF tile saw, bench grinder, and a black and decker rotary tool, like a dremel. Not counting blades, and dremel wheels and grinder wheels, I have spend approx. $250 on that equiptment. I have paid for all the rocks I have bought by selling pendants. But all I do is cut simple shapes with WF finish shape with grinder and Dremel, and of course tumble. It all depends on where you want to go, it does cost, but you can do quite a bit on less than $500. Now this does not count continuing grit, polish, blades, etc.
Terry
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textiger
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 946
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Post by textiger on Jun 6, 2008 21:20:15 GMT -5
Virtually everyone here joined the board as brand spanking new tumblers. Many of us began using the toy tumblers made for the kiddies.
You are right, this hobby can get pricey pretty quickly. Don't feel like you have to keep up with the Joneses. Do what you like and what you can afford. Patience tends to be a virtue throughout this hobby. When you are ready to expand, there are plenty of knowledgeable folks here who can steer you to some really good deals.
And I think everyone here will admit, that the best rocks usually are the ones we find ourselves, not just because they are free. Where do you live?
matt
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huffstuff
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since August 2007
Posts: 1,222
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Post by huffstuff on Jun 6, 2008 21:30:38 GMT -5
Hi! I joined last August, when I got a single 3-lb barrel tumbler. Since then I have purchased a Home Depot Workforce tile saw, which I like because it helps me start my tumbling batches with the best-shaped rocks, which means faster results (fewer pits, no cracks, sometimes even shapes)!
I am working on my 3rd batch, although I've had a lot of starts and stops this time for many reasons. I have bought some rock from board members and been very happy with my purchases. The rocks that come with the tumbler are usually not the best.
I would really like a larger tumbler so that I can tumble larger rocks, but that will come in time! After all, a larger tumbler will also mean a lot more grit and more time to maintain (I love to check my barrel frequently, and that takes time!)
Start slow. Be patient. If after a week or so a rock isn't turning out how you thought it would or want it to, you can either keep it tumbling or throw it into your garden! You can always put it back in later!
Welcome to the wonderful world of tumbling! It's a lot of fun!
Amy
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snivlem
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 167
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Post by snivlem on Jun 7, 2008 0:26:53 GMT -5
if you think you might want to cut rock, and easily justified if you have some tiling projects coming up around the house soon, I would definitely go buy a WF saw at HomeDepot as soon as you get some rough to cut. It is the best $88 you'll spend.
After that, buy grit in bulk, and the Rockshed is a great, fairly priced source for hobby stuff.
To save money on rough, some go rockhound it.
With gas prices today, I try to buy several things from one seller on Ebay.
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Jun 7, 2008 2:25:29 GMT -5
If you want to make you own equiptment, look in the new home made equiptment section or the lapidary tips section. If that fails just ask, people here are very willing to help. With ideas from this site I have built a tumbler,flat lap,sphere maker,diamond saw,faceter, and my latest toy is a combo vibrating flat lap/tumbler. None of these cost more than $30 to make, they may not be as good as store bought but I can definantly make shiny rocks. My biggest piece of advice would be check out your local heating/air conditioning store. They will usually let you take a motor out of a old furnace for little or no money.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jun 7, 2008 3:22:45 GMT -5
Hi
Welcome to the board from UK
We all started off not knowing the basics and ways to work rocks help was at hand with RTH,
Thats the best part of RTH everyone helps each other, world wide as well
Just ask and you will be helped and guided.
For polishing guide have a look at the RTH 4 step guide for starters.
Equipment as others above have offered advice everyone is only to willing to help you
have a good day
jack
yorkshire UK
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Post by Michael John on Jun 7, 2008 5:31:15 GMT -5
Starting a new hobby, you never pour cash into it at first. You try it, see if you like it, then maybe spend some cash here and there. Go the cheap route for a while.
A big part of this hobby is rockhounding. You grab some friends or family and take-off in search of rocks to work with. Bring a few tools, a picnic lunch, and plenty to drink. Why spend money on rocks when you can go out and "borrow" some from Mother Nature? No matter where you live, there's bound to be some decent rocks within reasonable driving distance.
There is a lot of info on the internet about where to find rocks. You may even find that there's a rock and mineral club right in your own town. They often have outings, and sometimes have equipment available to members. If you tell us where you are, people here may even be able to tell you where to find good stuff.
In the future, the next investment you'll probably want to make is a WorkForce Tile saw from Home Depot. Over 100 members of this forum bought them, and we all love them. With it, you can cut small slabs and cut slabs into shapes. The saw, with tax, is under $100!
Good advice ... before you buy stuff, ask on the forum first. People may know where to get stuff for less money, better quality, or from a reliable vendor.
There's a buy/sell/trade section here. Members are almost always selling nice rock there, at VERY good prices.
Anyway, hope that all helps. Glad to have you aboard!
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