sford13
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2009
Posts: 119 
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Post by sford13 on Sept 22, 2009 11:47:45 GMT -5
Ok I bought a Lortone 33B from the Rock Shed. Got it as a kit. But also bought a bag of Calico Stone from the garden dept at my local Home Depot store. Figured I would sort thru the bag and come up with enough rock to use that as my first tumble. Was going to save one of the barrels for polish only. Got the tumbler and started the HD rock. 5 minutes later I could resist no longer and started the second tumbler with rough that came with the tumbler as part of the kit. Now into it at week one, I checked both tumblers and recharged them last night. Because the HD rock was mostly smooth was able to take some of them out and add some more to the batch. Others were just about there but probably need a second week in the course step. The other rough that came in the kit was looking good as well. I think another week will have it ready as well. Now my problem is that I am thinking I need another 33B or something for all the rocks I wanna start. This could turn out to be a very expensive hobby. Guess this year for Christmas I am really hoping to get a box of rocks.
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Post by superioragates on Sept 22, 2009 12:01:22 GMT -5
LOL, that's funny! I think most of us here are wishing for a box of rocks! Or a grinder, nother tumbler, or a vibe, I know at least 1 person wants a saw, many want a cabbing machine......These things are all on my list......cept the saw, got that one! I think what I really want to do is build a collection of 1 rock from each and every state......yeah that would be fun! Don't feel alone in the can't wait thing.....I couldn't wait either, had this plan in my mind, 1 tumbler for each stage........uh huh, that didn't happen!
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Post by deb193redux on Sept 22, 2009 12:13:04 GMT -5
What is Calico Stone - Is it hard enough to polish?
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sford13
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2009
Posts: 119
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Post by sford13 on Sept 22, 2009 12:46:27 GMT -5
Being totally new to this hobby I can not identify the rock itself. But calico stone is just a variety of washed river rock. They sale it at Home Depot for putting around your house. So far it looks like it is going to shine up real nice. Alot of what I got was kind of a cloudy yellow with veins of redish color going thru it. Imagine this is just sorted river rock. Mostly lighter colors in the calico bag. They also have river rock which was mostly darker colors. Hope that helps.
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Sept 22, 2009 14:46:49 GMT -5
I'm the same way. I can't stand to see empty barrels sitting.
You can use the same barrels for all stages of tumbling as long as you clean them really well after each stage. That means soap and water and a scrub brush. Be sure to scrub the lip where the lid sits and give the lid a good scrubbing on both sides.
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Post by tkrueger3 on Sept 22, 2009 15:01:04 GMT -5
LOL! Welcome to the addiction!
Tom
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tomcloss
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 158
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Post by tomcloss on Sept 24, 2009 22:27:51 GMT -5
LoL be carefule what you wish or ask for. Last christmas my inlaws asked my wife what I would like for christmas. She jokingly said a box of rocks (which I would like). So instead of getting a box of rough rocks I could grind shape, or tumble they ended up going to a mystic / occult shop and bought spent a ton on rocks which were more like small specimans then rocks I could tumble. Don't get me wrong I love the rocks they got me but some of them will never leave the bags. (I now have a chunk of sulfur in my collection)  Best advice I can give. If you ask for rocks from someone who isn't into the hobby be specific. Tom |
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karock
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2007
Posts: 667
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Post by karock on Sept 25, 2009 0:11:09 GMT -5
Welcome! I have two 3lb tumblers and 6 barrels. I use two for # 1 grind and keep the rest seperate. Rockdewd is right about using any grit, but I am lazy about cleaning them. I got the second one used for $40 but on my second batch the motor burned out. Keep reading the posts and you will find the stuff you like to tumble and get good at it, that way others will trade their treasures for yours! LOL
KAROCK
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Sept 25, 2009 16:48:32 GMT -5
Soon it will make perfect sense to you spend your money on grit. You'll wonder whether to buy 10 pounds at a time or order a 50 pound sack and take the hit for delivery.
You'll chuckle when you think about the days when rocks from "Home Depot" were good enough as you await delivery of the 10 pound box of special rocks you were able to snag at an especially nice price. Ah yes, the innocence of the uninitiated. Welcome Home.
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Post by MyNewHobby on Sept 25, 2009 18:00:48 GMT -5
Well .... I can see by reading through this thread that the insanity is spreading quicker than when I started in January.
I started with one, then two small 1 lb Rolling Stones tumblers. A friend as a gift sent me the 33B kit, and I also have a Thumler's UV-10 Industrial (Which I Love). Yes ../ I can have 5 tumblers going all at once when the moods kicks in. Which is usually all the time.
While you are on the inside walls of RTH, never worry about asking for rocks and NOT getting what you asked for. You will get ROCKS. ;D
As a matter of fact, I just ordered a big bad boy from RockHobbit.
As always .... My Humble Thanks
And welcome to the insanity!
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