seabrz
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2012
Posts: 1
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Post by seabrz on Nov 17, 2012 16:09:51 GMT -5
Hi all - I am looking for Christmas present suggestions for rock tumbling equipment for my 13-yr-old grandson.
This past summer, we took a family vacation to the Western NC Mountains and he was quickly "addicted" to gem mining (in the tacky tourist ops.) His parents and I were quite surprised when he came home and continued his research on rocks and minerals, and it is now his biggest hobby. In fact, he changed his 7th grade science class choice to geology! He already knows so much now about identification, classification, etc, and I want to keep encouraging this new hobby.
I want to provide him with a top-notch apprentice rock tumbling setup so he can process the few pounds of rocks that he brought back from NC, but I know that he will be quickly discouraged if I buy him equipment that will fail. He's my only grandchild, so I do not mind spending a few hundred on quality hardware that will last several years.
If possible, I would prefer suggestions for an excellent complete turnkey tumbler kit, so I don't have to purchase individual components.
Also, this website has great info on rock polishing, but are there any other books someone can recommend? (I want to wrap them up in the gift.)
FYI - the family already has a large shop with electricity at the rear of their large backyard so location for tumblers is no problem.
Thanks so very, very much for any suggestions!
SeaBrz (Rockhound's Grandma)
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Dora
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2012
Posts: 252
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Post by Dora on Nov 17, 2012 16:49:55 GMT -5
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Minnesota Daniel
freely admits to licking rocks
A COUPLE LAKERS
Member since August 2011
Posts: 891
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Post by Minnesota Daniel on Nov 17, 2012 17:30:45 GMT -5
Welcome SeaBRz!
1. Your grandson needs to join this Forum. The best tumbling information and advice is here. 2. Don't hesitate to call Shawn at the Rock Shed. He will be great help. 3. The second book Dora recommends is one of my favorites 4. There is series of rock hound books for different regions with titles like "Midwest Gems Fossils and Minerals". Tells you where to find them. Lots of books specific to places like Lake Superior, or Gem trails of Texas etc. too.
Word of Caution: Now I don't know what it was your grandson collected in NC, but people don't try to tumble Sapphires or Rubies, they are just too hard. Many people will tell you flat out that you can't tumble them. Emeralds and Garnets are tumbled, but most wouldn't recommend them for beginners, they have there own difficulties. You wouldn't want your grandson to start out on the wrong track and get discouraged.
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marinedad
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2010
Posts: 813
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Post by marinedad on Nov 17, 2012 19:15:30 GMT -5
welcome seabrz, ditto on the lortone units, i have 2 of the 3-a's and a larger 15 lb. tumbler. i'll share a personal story. grandfather owned a campground in w.n.c. and i fell in love with "rocks" grandparents got me a new star diamond good quality tumbler. after i ran out of grit my parents refused to buy more, "too messy" 2 years later mom sold it at a garage sale. please make sure if he likes the hobby he gets grit. i would be willing to send you a small flat rate box of rock for him to tumble. all different kinds of similar hardness rock free. mark.
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marinedad
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2010
Posts: 813
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Post by marinedad on Nov 19, 2012 23:25:12 GMT -5
seabrz, if you want me to send rocks for tumbling you need to let me know this week. i am leaving for cal. for a few weeks.
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Nov 19, 2012 23:43:43 GMT -5
seabrz, if you want me to send rocks for tumbling you need to let me know this week. i am leaving for cal. for a few weeks. I'll second that with a pound or 2 of Lake superior agates in smaller tumbling size. agates are generally preferred for a first tumble as they tend to be more forgiving of mistakes, and as I had the good fortune to come into a small supply of the rock I can pay it forward by offering 2 pounds to your grandson to use for his tumbler. Let me know.
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itsandbits
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 825
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Post by itsandbits on Nov 20, 2012 0:49:54 GMT -5
Welcome Seabrz and "way to go" guys
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