soccermud
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2008
Posts: 18
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Post by soccermud on Jul 12, 2008 11:40:49 GMT -5
Hey guys, I've been thinking about beginning to tumble rocks for some time now and I've been checking out these boards trying to learn anything that I can. I still have a few questions though before I begin:
I live in Des Plaines, IL (close to Chicago). I was wondering if anyone knows of a place around here I could go to get some rough of my own instead of buying it? Also, how can I tell if I'm getting good rough if I order it off ebay? Are beach rocks good rocks to tumble because it seems a lot of people sell beach rocks on ebay.
I was thinking of ordering stuff from the rock shed since everyone speaks very highly of it on this site. Is this a good idea? I'll probably have more questions as I progress.
Thanks,
Chris
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181lizard
Cave Dweller 
Still lurking :)
Member since December 2005
Posts: 2,171
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Post by 181lizard on Jul 12, 2008 12:35:07 GMT -5
Howdy Chris! As far as rough goes...I can't help ya with local places to buy from but there are a couple of things ya need to know!  Beach agates are great tumblers. I've polished some and they can get a super shine. They may take a little longer to shape in the first stage cause they're hard but they are good to learn with. IMHO! Oregon Beach agates are real nice but can be on the spendy side. I'd wait till ya get a couple of tumbles under your belt before I parted with the $$. As for buying rough...you can't lose if you buy from many of the people mentioned here on this forum. Many members sell boxes of great tumbling stuff for a reasonable cost and you have the benefit of getting some really hi end bits & pieces because there are so many people that slab & cab. Besides...most of the people around here are real nice  . If you decide to give ebay a stab...just do a search for tumbling rough & you'll see from pennies per pound to over $1/lb. cgi.ebay.com/11-50-LBS-Jasper-Agate-Wood-Tumbling-Cabbing-Mix_W0QQitemZ120280567749QQihZ002QQcategoryZ4841QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemHere's just one example of someone selling a mix on ebay. I've done business with him & he was a very nice guy. Hope you find something here helpful! |
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Larry
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 267
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Post by Larry on Jul 12, 2008 12:36:56 GMT -5
Well, the only part of it I can speak for is the beach rocks part since that's all I do at this point. I like the way they come out. You're not going to get much in the way of value with beach rocks, except a few lucky finds here and there, but they do turn out a nice colorful batch.
One drawback with beach rocks and not knowing what you're getting is the different hardnesses but once you've been tumbling them for a while, you know what goes in good with what.
I'm pretty happy with just beach rocks right now since they are free and free is good to practice with I suppose. I would love to get some better stuff to play with but since I'm new to this I've spent enough on equipment already.
As for where... I live on Lake Ontario so not sure of the rocky beaches in your area but if Lake Michigan has good rocky beaches near Chicago, go there.
Take the above for what it's worth since I'm a newbie but all the opinions help I suppose.
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textiger
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 946
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Post by textiger on Jul 12, 2008 14:07:47 GMT -5
Chris,
Go to the Locations, Locations, Locations folder. The top file is something like "New site list for U.S. and Canada." Open it up and choose the link for Illinois. It includes a county-by-county listing of the type of rocks and the general locations where they have been found. And I believe folks have mentioned finding good rock around the lakes region, so you probably have some good material not too far away.
Happy hunting.
matt
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jrtrio
has rocks in the head
With10 tumblers tumbling the sound is so delicious!Send me more of those little red fellas, please?
Member since February 2006
Posts: 535
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Post by jrtrio on Jul 25, 2008 13:55:23 GMT -5
Des Plaines! Hello! I lived in the Chicago area during my "formative" years. Lived in Glenview, Northbrook, Des Plaines! and then finally Wheeling. After joining the Air Force I ended up living down here in North Carolina. I started tumbling about 8 years ago and was very lucky to find this site! What a great bunch of people! They always lend a helping hand when it comes to answering questions about tumbling, rocks etc. Remember there are as many ways to do things as there are people doing them! I do advise walking the shores of Lake Michigan. Not only will you find some wonderful rocks you'll also find glass! Yes you can tumble and polish glass. Just be careful. For right now I'd stick with rocks. One site that a lot of us use to get started is the Rock Shed. www.rockshed.com You don't have to spend a lot of money to get some really great specimens. As a beginner you'll want to stick with their mixed rock. With the different agates and Jasper's, all about the same hardness, you'll be more than happy with the outcome. The first rule of tumbling is "patience"! Every tumbler instruction guide will give you time tables for each stage, like 7 days for the rough grit 60/90 and so on for the next stage. But, you'll find that some of the rock just doesn't want to cooperate and you'll need to refresh the mix with new grit (or like I do rinse the rock and make a new batch and start again, this time checking after 2 or 3 days to see if the rocks are now shaped the way you like it. Some batches take for ever to get from rough to polished and others take no time at all. It just takes patience! Also, take notes! Copious notes! Write down what the mix of stone is, what type of grit you used, and as with the first stage write down you impression of the rock at the end of 7 days. If they're ready for stage 2 then if you have just the one barrel then clean everything! Rocks, barrel, lid etc. Some people like to run a load of borax and Ivory snow for a few hours up to a day. Rinse thoroughly and start you second stage. And after a few loads you'll find that you're getting the hang of it and off you go on the path of spending way too much money!! You'll want to get a saw to cut your own rock, or a drill to start making jewelry of the best of the best tumbled stone. There is so much in your future if you just remember the most important rule of the game. Yup, patience. Also another bit of advice that I can offer you is read read read! Read postings here under the Home Made Machines. There are tutorials there. And also read postings under the Lapidary Tips. Take your time and peruse the pages under Identification. Then when you are ready to start buying rock for those stones that aren't in your area check out the "Buy, sell, and swap shop" for members. Great place to buy rock from all over the country and the world. One final note. Try steering your vacations to places that have places that have mines and shops. They're all over the place too! But, since gas is now a zillion dollars a gallon short trips are recommended! Welcome to our world where people have rocks in their heads! |
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