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Post by Bob & Jordan (CharlindaBob) on May 3, 2010 19:39:32 GMT -5
Hello and please forgive me if I am in the wrong place as this is my first time posting as I just joined. I just purchased a Thumler's tumbler with 2 barrels as a reward for school excellence for my 9 year old son who is always collecting all sorts of rocks. We expect arrival any day now and we ordered 4# of various rocks and 5# of 80 grit which really leads into my question. How much should grit cost including shipping? I found some in a major town not too awful far from me that charges $1.89 a pound for 80 grit silicon carbide and $2.22 a pound for 120 and 220. Of course there is a catch, I have to buy it in 50# increments. Is that too much or is it pretty reasonable? Also, being here in central Florida, we evidently don't have any nice rocks, so can anyone enlighten us on where to find any Florida gems? Looks like we may have to purchase them. Any advice at all is appreciated. My son is excited to get the tumbler and I'm excited for him. Ok, thanks for any advice......Lord knows we need it.....Bob & son Jordan
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Thunder69
Cave Dweller 
Thunder 2000-2015
Member since January 2009
Posts: 3,105
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Post by Thunder69 on May 3, 2010 19:56:37 GMT -5
HEy Bob, That is not a bad price on the grit...Fifty pounds is a bit much(sometimes)if you are just starting...I would get it if it were me......Looks like you'll have to get more rocks ;D.As far as florida rocks..can't help you there...but look in the buy and sell section and you might find some good deals...There are a few folks from Florida on here that will know more about your states rockhounding areas....Also check the Rockshed(www.rockshed.com)...Has good deals on polish and rough rock for tumbling...Good luck,and ask any questions ...we will be glad to help....John
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Post by captbob on May 3, 2010 20:15:04 GMT -5
Hi Bob & Jordon, welcome to the forum! Being new to tumbling, you will find there is LOTS to learn and you found the right place for that.
First off, the grit used for tumbling doesn't need to be a "straight" grit such as 80, 120 or 220. Grit breaks down in a tumbler, so exact sizes aren't all that important. You want to look for grits such as 60/90 and 120/220. MUCH less expensive than a specific sized grit and works just as well.
When you get to finer stages such as 500, it may be more important, but as I said, grit breaks down and makes itself fine over time. Read up here and you will understand better...
There are those that only use 60/90 to shape and then leave it in as it breaks down into smaller grit. Not how I go, but I've seen that it does work.
You're going to have many questions along the way, so I'm not going to try to explain the whole process here. There is a good guide on the Home Page.
As to Florida "gems"...
I have an extensive collection of Florida mineral specimens, but they aren't anything that you would put in a tumbler. You may happen on some interesting river pebbles or beach rocks, but you are pretty much wasting your time if you are looking for quality tumbling material.
I assume that you have two 3 pound barrels - nice tumbler by the way. So, feeding it fun rocks to tumble really wouldn't be too expensive. Been to eBay? You could get a nice assortment there pretty cheaply. Folks here on this site often offer nice rocks and usually at very reasonable prices.
Tumbling can turn into a fun hobby for you two, but the most important thing (which may be kinda hard) is patience.
Tumbling a nice batch of rocks takes time... I'm talking months!
Again, welcome to the RTH
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Post by Bob & Jordan (CharlindaBob) on May 3, 2010 20:36:39 GMT -5
Hi and thanks for the information. I didn't think we would find any rocks that were worth tumbling around here. Yepper, we been all over eBay and ordered 4 different rocks and will work on those awhile. We'll have to look on here too and see if we can find any "deals". Yes, we bought the one with 2 three pound barrels. We still have a bunch of reading to do, but have read to almost a 'burn out" now. lol .... Bob and Jordan
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on May 3, 2010 21:00:21 GMT -5
Fifty lbs. will last forever with loads the size you're doing, especially as you get to finer grits. The Rock Shed and Kingsley North have good grit prices, both graded and ungraded.
Chuck
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Post by susand24224 on May 3, 2010 21:43:08 GMT -5
If you put a "post" in the buy, sale and trade section here indicating that you are looking for mixed tumbling materials for a beginner, you likely will get a number of responses from people who aren't posting what they have for sale.
What a great bonus for good grades! I hope your thoughtful gift leads to a lifelong interest.
Susan
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Post by tkrueger3 on May 3, 2010 22:34:05 GMT -5
Hi! You're starting with the same tumbler I started with. A word of advice when you get the tumbler set up and are ready to start your first load of rocks. The Thumlers' lids can be a bit problematic. They WILL leak unless assembled properly and with extra care. Be sure, when you are putting the lid plate into the tumbler, that the little shelf on which it rides is ultra clean. The least little bit of grit or dust will be a leak. Then, make sure you have the belt fully engaged into the slot to hold the lid securely. Then, when you get it all put together and before you put it onto the rails to tumble, turn the barrel upside down and make sure there are no leaks. Do all this, and you shouldn't have any major disasters like I had. Went out in the garage to check it one morning and had a rug-sized patch of gritty mud and rocks all over the floor. What a mess to clean up! For tumbling material, the Rock Shed is my primary source. Good material at good prices, and the proprietor, Shawn, is a super good guy. www.rockshed.com. Good luck, and be sure to frequent this forum - these people are absolutely THE BEST! ;D Tom |
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Post by johnjsgems on May 3, 2010 23:23:45 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum. It is always cheaper to buy in quantity but your 3 lb. drums will need about 3 tablespoons per run. Grit is heavy too so a reasonable local source could well be better than a discounter after shipping is added. My rock piles are under about a foot of sand right now but if you send me a PM with a shipping address I'll try to find a flat rate box full of tumbling rough. Always like to help get youngsters hooked.
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on May 4, 2010 7:05:13 GMT -5
I have an assortment of tumbling rough as well. It would be a surprise mix as I don't know just what all is there. Send me a PM with address & I will also send you a small flat box to help you get started.
Donnie
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slabcabber
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 590
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Post by slabcabber on May 4, 2010 9:42:14 GMT -5
Hello Bob and Jordan, Welcome to the forum . Shoot me a PM with your tumbler size and you address I will see what I can do for you as for as grit. I have large tumbler so I buy it by the 50lb'ers so im sure I can get you started with grit..Good Luck
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Post by Bob & Jordan (CharlindaBob) on May 8, 2010 14:05:27 GMT -5
I want to take this opportunity to thank you all. Never in any other forum or group has there been an outreach and welcome like you have shown my son and me. I feel that we are among the better people of the world with you folks! You are a great bunch and as I've mentioned in a PM or two, we feel honored to be here. We received the Thumler A-R2 and it is up and running!!! We have two 3# barrels, weighed barrel, rocks, grit and water on a small digital scale to just under 3# gross weight each and it is running smooth. Now the hard part......waiting  . I am sure we will have questions soon as I help Jordan with his tumbler. Thanks to all.....Bob & Jordan |
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slabcabber
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 590
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Post by slabcabber on May 8, 2010 17:01:17 GMT -5
Well as you can see we are glad to have you here. I will send you some grit in the mail soon it is the least I can do for you and your son...There is a lot of people here that love to help.
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Post by Bob & Jordan (CharlindaBob) on May 11, 2010 12:41:05 GMT -5
Thanks again everybody. Our tumbler has been turning for 3 full days now and my son is being very patient. Our rough may have to turn longer than a week though. I did add some plastic BB's as I felt it needed more in the barrel than 8 -10 stones which barely filled up half the barrel. Hope the BB's help. Been searching and a lookin'. I did find grit @ 1.78 a pound shipped, but again it comes in 50# increments. Well, off to work.....
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Post by jakesrocks on May 11, 2010 13:03:31 GMT -5
Bob & Jordan, you might want to get one of the many good lapidary catalogs out there. You can order all of your different grits by the pound. One good and reliable source I use often is Kingsley North, Inc. You can get their catalog for free at www.kingsleynorth. com. They have all sorts of neat stuff which may help to fire your sons interest in the hobby. They even have many nice tumbling size rocks for sale. Don |
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Post by Bob & Jordan (CharlindaBob) on May 13, 2010 12:07:26 GMT -5
I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Donnie of Donnie's Treasures for the box of assorted rough that she sent my son for tumbling. He will get much enjoyment from just looking them over in the rough and will be eager to see them when finished. Again, our thanks go out to you, our friend.
Bob & son Jordan
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on May 14, 2010 13:00:39 GMT -5
You are quite welcome, it was my pleasure! Looking forward to seeing what all was in there!
Donnie
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Post by Bob & Jordan (CharlindaBob) on May 17, 2010 23:36:41 GMT -5
To all you RTH folks,.....you are the greatest! Slabcabber, Jordan opened your package like it was glass crystal inside. He made me promise to thank you (like I wasn't going to?) for the grit and polish. Enough to get him not only started, but enough to complete both barrels! The generosity and camaraderie on this group is astonishing. I told Jordan the best thing we can do is pass on what has been so freely given.
When I learn how, I will post a picture of Jordan and his tumbler so you can put a face to his name. We both sit side by side at this computer and go through the many postings and pictures in here. We will try to put pictures before and after of his first batch too.
It is nice to have friends in this group, and Slabcabber, you are certainly one of them. Thank you!
Jordan and dad
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Post by Bob & Jordan (CharlindaBob) on May 18, 2010 10:35:41 GMT -5
Thanks again everybody. Our tumbler has been turning for 3 full days now and my son is being very patient. Our rough may have to turn longer than a week though. I did add some plastic BB's as I felt it needed more in the barrel than 8 -10 stones which barely filled up half the barrel. Hope the BB's help. Been searching and a lookin'. I did find grit @ 1.78 a pound shipped, but again it comes in 50# increments. Well, off to work..... Well, after a week, we opened the barrels up, found changes in the rocks but not profound, decided to remove the plastic BB's and replaced with some smaller pieces of rocks that Donnie was so kind as to send to us. I think the plastic BB's probably shouldn't be added in the first step, and if y'all agree with that, in the trash they go as I don't want to add the same BB's in one of the other steps. Now to leave it for a week, will check on it this Saturday again. I am sure Jordan will remind me... Another question: Jordan has seen some Lake Superior agate pictures on here that are absolutely stunning, and he is bidding on a couple on eBay. What would you use to tumble with the agates if you only have one or two? And if you are using a tile cutter or saw, what do you use to protect your fingers while cutting such a small piece? I assume gloves, but it must be hard to hold on to a small rock that only weighs a couple of ounces or so? Guess I'll do the cutting if any is to be done as Jordan is too young. OK, 'nuff for now...and thanks!!! |
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Post by jakesrocks on May 18, 2010 11:17:33 GMT -5
When tumbling hard material like agate and jasper, the plastic pellets aren't needed until the pre-polish and polish stages. But don't throw those pellets away. Store them in a labeled container. Old peanut butter jars are good for this. If you ever tumble soft or fragile material, you'll want those pellets in all stages
If those Laker agates are too small to cut by hand, super glue a small block of wood to them. It will give you something to hold on to. And don't be afraid of the blade. Most lapidary blades won't cut you. You can put your finger against the blade while it's spinning, without any harm. The sides of the blade may give you a little nick, but nothing serious. Speaking for myself, I'd never wear gloves around a spinning piece of machinery. Mangled and broken fingers could be the result if the glove snagged on something.
Don
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Post by susand24224 on May 20, 2010 11:04:00 GMT -5
You can put other "hard" (Mohs 7 or so) rocks in with the Lake Superior agates when you tumble. It might be a good opportunity for a quartz-hunting expedition to keep the agates company in your tumbler. Some garden variety quartz is really pretty when tumbled, so that would be an extra bonus!
Thanks for generating a delightful thread.
Susan
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