Debs
fully equipped rock polisher
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png)
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,252
|
Post by Debs on Jun 11, 2006 3:17:34 GMT -5
All I know is that it all starts from a toy rock tumbler and than onto other things. It's about the love of nature, rocks! LOL< It's a little girls love for rocks and her first rock tumbler. Once the rock tumbler wore out, she kept the dream alive by collecting rocks where ever she went. After years of collecting and reaching adulthood she rekindled her love of rocks and bought a new rock tumbler. That lead to buying and collecting more rocks. Buying more rock equipment and yet more rocks! From there into learning how to make wire wrap jewelry and making rock slabs into mosaics. We are all learning and growing along the way from each other. We are all about rocks and things in the meantime. I love to read the posts and view all the pics. I like the forum just the way it is. It seems to grow and flow with all of us. It all starts with a little girl and her rocks!
|
|
MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_pink.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_pink.png)
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
|
Post by MrCoffee on Jun 11, 2006 4:02:57 GMT -5
I started back in 5th grade, with a Lortone 3A-NR tumbler. I wanted a cabbing unit back then, but did not meet that goal until just recently. I am finding that the cab making equipment is best suited for aiding in the enhancement of the tumbling process. Of course, the cab making to me is secondary since better production can be realized with my tumbling equipment.
I would strongly prefer that the site retain the Rock Tumbling Hobby name. The reason for my opinion, is that just about everything we do revolves around the tumbling its self. Results can be achieved, for example, on a vibratory tumbler, that would be extremely difficult if not impossible on just the cabbing unit its self. Then again, there are some stones that can't (or at least shouldn't) be tumbled (crinoid marble, malachite, among others). If a nice freeform cab is viewed on the member photos section, who's to say it may not have been tumbled? Even if the cab was sent through a 600 stage and then a polish in a vibratory unit, I'll still see it as a tumbled stone.
There has been a lot said about the Workforce saw. Its price enables a sonsiderable number of folks to afford getting into the hobby a little further. A well tumbled stone without defects will take longer to finish without some sort of intervention, which is where a tool such as the Workforce can excell. Although I have a full lapidary machine, I may even consider a Workforce for myself and save the 6" saw on the cabbing unit for trimming slabs. Notice again, how ownership of the Workforce reverts back to tumbling.
So there's my take on the subject. Keep the Rock Tumbling Hobby name. Herman and Rusty (two of my tumblers) would insist on it. By the way, everybody should think of a name for at least one of their tumblers. Why not have some fun with this? I know of a lot of cooks and bakers who name their big mixers, so why not give it a shot?
MrCoffee
|
|
dtcmor
freely admits to licking rocks
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_pink.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_pink.png)
Back to lickin' rocks again!
Member since May 2006
Posts: 898
|
Post by dtcmor on Jun 11, 2006 9:07:58 GMT -5
As a newbie to this site, I find that any information, no matter where I have to look for it is helpful. Everyone here seems to have his/her own niche' as to what they like to do with their rocks. As a beginner, it gives me alot more ideas that I never would have thought about trying. I think the sight is great just the way it is. Everyone is different and so are their rocks, tools and methods. Keep up the great work everyone! ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
|
|
ethel
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2006
Posts: 23
|
Post by ethel on Jun 11, 2006 12:00:53 GMT -5
I just wish I could get some type of high-speed internet service here. With dumb-old-dial-up, I can get a batch of polished rocks finished before my computer can download a batch of photos. I rarely look at the photo section because there just isn't enough time in my day to wait for them. Sigh. But I have learned much about tumbling since finding this site - I haven't progressed beyond the tumblers yet, but I'm sure I will. I'm still just fascinated at the transformation of plain old rocks from my yard and driveway.
ethel
|
|
|
Post by deb193 on Jun 11, 2006 12:39:56 GMT -5
Good point about downloads. It really does help when people use thumbnails, and limit pixils to about 600 in the longest dimension.
|
|
|
Post by gemkoi on Jun 11, 2006 12:55:30 GMT -5
I have thought about it, and know that i make more cabochons than i would general rock stuffs. And posting photos in the cabochon forum is were i thought they go. But in most cases, only other cabochons cutters look at that forum. SO in some aspects i feel inclined to post them in the general photo forum, i just run out of time or forget all to often.
I, like so many others here, started tumbling years ago. Within the first year however, i was very turned off because of the large degree of learning how to tumble, and how long is takes to find out your not doing it right. One day, i will get back into to finish tumbling for cabochons of the same material. Like Randy does, do all the cutting and preforming, then finish them. But right now, i still prefer working every stone by hand for the control factor. And also because i do this for a living, profit is a big factor, and tumble stones have next to no margin for profit.
Now all you need to cut cabochons is a good bench grinder, as small as a 4inch set up with all the needed wheels, or belts. a trim saw is nice, but you can supplement a trim saw for a pair of tile nippers and a new coarse metal diamond wheel(score the line with the edge of your wheel, and break the line with your nippers. I use this method as often as a trim saw). And after a couple lessons, you can cut cabs within minutes! I cut a rutilated cab yesterday from a tumbled piece, took a whole of 15 minutes from start to finish. And rutilated requires special orientation for the best needle pattern.
I have actually tried to get a cabochon group going. I started one last year in yahoo and have had very little member interests. But i think my main problem with that group is its mainly for people who seel cabs online. So i was very estactic to find this group were there was an actually cabochon forum!
I like seeing everything and anything rock related, and though sometime wonder about were to post things, i find it pretty straight forward. i post my cabs in the cab forum, when i have oddities or real one of a kinds, i post them in the photo section so it gets more views.
|
|
Debs
fully equipped rock polisher
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png)
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,252
|
Post by Debs on Jun 11, 2006 14:54:43 GMT -5
Okay, two thumbs up! Rock Tumbing Hobby!
|
|
|
Post by joe on Jun 11, 2006 15:43:15 GMT -5
Well this really leaves me kind of self conscious. I started tumbling a little over a year ago and probably wouldn't have taken it much further. Then I found this site and really started to get into it. I loved seeing what people could do with saws and grinders in addition to tumblers. So I got some saws and grinders. The things I do now on the grinder don't qualify as cabochons. No 15 degree bevels, no things that make a true cab. Just me making shapes and shining them. So now I'm not sure where to post them. If they aren't cabs or they aren't tumble finished do they have a place here?
|
|
|
Post by sandsman1 on Jun 11, 2006 16:05:52 GMT -5
hey joe if you seen some of my first trys at cabs you wouldent feel bad at all hahaha and if its a rock i think it belongs here no matter what shape or shine cause let me tell ya i still come across some of the first trys and redo them till i like them but i laugh the whole time hahaha -- hey everybody starts at the bottom to learn it just depends if ya stay there and i havent seen anyone here not stand up and run --- keep at it and one of these days someone will offer to buy your cab and you will see all the trys where worth it hell im still tryin every cab i make dont come out the way i wanted haha
|
|
|
Post by stoner on Jun 11, 2006 16:45:01 GMT -5
Joe, your work well qualifies as being a cab. Don't under estimate the value of your work. Bearcreek had some good advice for all of us budding cabbers. He said to put one cab a week aside in a drawer and after a year, take a look at your progress. Believe me, there's a big difference in my first cabs to what I do these days. And I owe a lot of what I'm doing now to John(sandsman). I watched him go from tumbling rocks to making beautiful cabs and it was truely an inspiration for me. Just another example of why it's okay to post pics of things other than tumbles. Hey, monkey see, monkey do!!!
|
|
Shelbeeray
has rocks in the head
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_pink.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_pink.png)
Member since January 2006
Posts: 688
|
Post by Shelbeeray on Jun 11, 2006 17:33:53 GMT -5
I like the mixture in the photo section. I can see what else is out there to do. If everyone who makes cabs just stuck to the cabs section, I probably wouldn't see it and know that is a possibility. It's fun to see what everyone is doing. I have little time and usually only visit one or two areas, so the general photos section is wonderful. We have so many talented people here, doing so many different things, and seeing that variety keeps the hobby interesting for me.
|
|
|
Post by rocklicker on Jun 12, 2006 2:09:53 GMT -5
Uh oh, busted. Has anyone noticed that since I joined this board a while ago, I have yet to post anything about tumbling? Truth is I haven't tumbled anything since joining! Even worse is I have a whole bunch 3-pount tumblers and a 20-pounder. All have been sitting idle. I feel so ashamed. At least I got that off my chest. What I need to do is clean out the garage so I have room for them. Was I doing that tonight? Nooooo, I was cabbing. I hang my head in shame.
Since I have been here though I have seen lots of folks who were unsure about tumbling become tumbling experts and so much helpful knowledge and encouragement exists here. I oggle at every new batch posted and love the fact that every month or so a posting comes up about borax. (Go borax!)
I guess cabbing is sort of an eventuality, but our roots will always be in tumbling. Now I really need to get off my butt and get the tumblers tumbling. No more excuses. Steve
|
|
|
Post by Original Admin on Jun 12, 2006 6:46:52 GMT -5
All - interesting thoughts there. Ive often thought the baord in general has moved onto other things aswell as tumbling alone. On reflection - I suppose it was bound to happen and could not be avoided - I didnt anticipate it happening - it just did over time. This has left me with the quandry of seemingly offering little or no places on the board for the many other individual things people do with the rocks. Which bugs me - as whilst I personally have no skills beyond tumbling rocks - there are many other aspects which I am certain deserve their own sub-sections. With this in mind - I could create any number of sub-sections if there are enough people to post in them and share info etc. I have started a thread called "Board Expansion" - so please if you would like a sub-section - post its "Name to be" and a description in there. Also - please can anyone who wants to do so - also say what they think about section names people recommend and give opinion aswell. The name of the board has to stay as "rocktumblinghobby" though - because it is through this phrase "rock tumbling" which people locate us on Yahoo - MSN and other search engines. I realise though that it is more than just rock tumbling which we are dealing with here - so the name "rock tumbling hobby" is - perhaps these days - not quite a true representation of all the people in here - and that which we do. Pictures in the "Member Photos" - well - pics are probably the best bit - and i'll address that one in another thread - "Pics Board". Personally - Im not tumbling right now due to the house work ive got to do - but Ive got a lot of pics to take at some point from various samples from people here and I need to get them uploaded too. Some finished - some in polish (yeah - get that - in polish and not spinning - terrible situation!!) ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
|
|
|
Post by BAZ on Jun 12, 2006 8:56:02 GMT -5
If all 1,000+ members were in a big room, most of us would be talking about the hobby. Sharing stories about rock trips, cabbing, the best way to do this, why not to do that, etc. After awhile a lot of us would also be asking how the kids are and "got any pictures of your kids?" While others would be joking around and just getting to know one another. Which is pretty much how this board seems to have evolved. Not a bad thing, I think the majority of the chat here is still about tumbling, and as tumbling is the "Gateway Drug", Mark has introduced new areas for cabbing and wire wrapping etc. accordingly. I don't think anything should change but I can hear where Don is coming from, sometimes we go off on different tangents, but that is just the nature of rockhounds. (with dogs, kids, houses, RV's, jobs, other hobbies, etc.) ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
|
|
|
Post by BAZ on Jun 12, 2006 9:01:50 GMT -5
On a personal note relating to the last sentence of my last post, see the quote under my avatar? That is me in a nutshell! I'm like a freakin' goldfish! Show me something shiny and I've completely forgot what I was doing 2 seconds ago! Oh, I'm so self-deprecating! Ha ha ha!!!
|
|
stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
|
Post by stefan on Jun 12, 2006 10:04:20 GMT -5
to tumble- or not to tumble- that is the question. Whether tis nobler to suffer the slings and arrows..... What was the question again? Sorry- I love this board- and have watched it develope from a hard core tumbling addiction (with a few cabs tossed in for s&G) to a huge social network if totally addicted individuals with way too much time and money on their hands!!! So no mattter what happens- this place is still going to grow and evolve (doc is correct- it's an electrical thing)
|
|
|
Post by gemkoi on Jun 12, 2006 13:07:12 GMT -5
plus, the idea of tumbling is pretty much what you have to do in order to cut rocks. How and what one chooses in the way of technique or process depends on their sole personality, and their budget. But we all pretty much go through the same kinda steps to cut these wonderful rocks we find, trade, or buy.
|
|