Roger
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,487
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Post by Roger on Jan 1, 2013 15:57:28 GMT -5
Hello all Happy Holidays! I am a new member and new to tumbling and polishing. I just purchased my first tumbler 12 days ago and have my first batch of tumbled glass sitting in a decorative plate on the table. I have "always" wanted to tumble/polish rocks and I have no clue why I waited over 40 years to start! I purchased the Thumler's industrial UV10 and ~100lbs of various rock. Jaspers, lapis, some quartz, flourites, turquoise, avertine, opal, agates and glass. I am looking to add some additional machines to the process and would love some advice. What I would like is three to five, I think...Vibratory 1 for rough, Vibe 2 for pre-polish, Vibe 3 for polish, and at least one largish tumbler for more serious rough grinding and shaping? I would like to turn out a few pounds of finished material every 2-3 days? I have no idea at all if that seems reasonable or not..? Also, can anyone point me to a source for nice, interesting glass for tumbling? The RockShed (awesome people!) has some - however their supply is limited and they told me they may not be able to get more. (boo!) Anyway! I am thrilled to have found this board! I have read 100's of posts and learned quite a lot already. Thank you all, for posting so much terrific information. I know I will be visiting this site regularly and hopefully reach a point where I can contribute something useful myself Happy New Year! Roger
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RockIt2Me
has rocks in the head
Sometimes I have to tell myself, "It's not worth the jail time."
Member since December 2009
Posts: 668
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Post by RockIt2Me on Jan 1, 2013 16:32:17 GMT -5
Welcome from Arkansas!
I give advice on alot of things, but tumbling is not one of them...someone will be along shortly to assist you. Where are you from?
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Roger
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,487
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Post by Roger on Jan 1, 2013 16:50:18 GMT -5
Hello RockitMe. I live just outside of Austin in Leander Texas. I am surrounded by everyone's favorite tumbling and polishing material. That is right, limestone.. I am completely lost in finding anywhere local to find rock, glass or other material to play with. I get the feeling the UPS man is going to get tired of lugging heavy boxes to my door lol. Roger
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Jan 1, 2013 17:11:12 GMT -5
Welcome! If you are looking for some rockshops semi close to you,there is The Red Rose Rockshop in Johnson City,and The Little Gallery and Rockshop in Smithville,both about an hour away from you.You do live in a pretty barren area for nice stuff to find on your own.Enjoy it here! snuffy
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RockIt2Me
has rocks in the head
Sometimes I have to tell myself, "It's not worth the jail time."
Member since December 2009
Posts: 668
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Post by RockIt2Me on Jan 1, 2013 17:17:37 GMT -5
There are some excellent vendors on these boards....I seldom buy from anywhere else. Be sure and check out the Buy, Sell, Trade section (not sure if that's the correct title). I just got a LFB from Oregon Rock Shop of high grade Amethyst Sage....Tony always has great stuff. Nancie
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sheltie
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2012
Posts: 982
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Post by sheltie on Jan 1, 2013 17:34:36 GMT -5
Welcome aboard, I live just down the road from you in Georgetown. Don't forget we also that we also have the rarest of all rocks around here, flint. Considering where we live and the dearth of decent rocks, you don't have many options. You can hound for yourself, buy online, or buy from a store. I do the first two and try to concentrate on the first one. However, I go to CO, UT, ID, and OR for my summers and am going to Q later this month. This hobby is TERRIBLY addictive and can get very expensive when it has you in its grip. We started out (a year ago) with a rotary tumbler. We now have two rotary, one vibrating, one vibrating lap, a combo cabbing/trim saw, a Richardson Ranch buffer/polisher, and a 16" slab saw. Now I'm thinking about buying a wet/dry polisher. And I thought my golf addiction was bad! Anyway, enjoy this forum. There are a bunch of folks here who are more than willing to help and they have a great deal of expertise.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 1, 2013 20:17:47 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum. The Red Rose is very nice and on the 290 8-10 miles West of the junction by Johnson City. It is owned by a very nice lady and she has some nice rock (unlike most "rock shops" with crystals and dyed agate book ends. It is actually very close to my property in Henly.
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Roger
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,487
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Post by Roger on Jan 1, 2013 21:05:46 GMT -5
My wife and I just returned from Fredericksburg (Tx). Is Red Rose part of a gas station or right next to one?? Both buildings all by themselves miles from anything else??
I saw a sign on side of the road, hand-painted and weather-worn that read "rocks and minerals".. I was not even sure it was a place still in business lol
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 2, 2013 9:25:46 GMT -5
That is the place. A gas station with a few strip mall type stores. She had pallets of rock out front when we were there last Spring. The phone number is 830-868-4130 and her name is Patty. If you get down to San Antone there is an old rock shop at South end called "Texas Lapidaries". They had a lot of palmwood when I was there a couple of years ago. Their number is 210-533-7778. Boerne Rock Shop (can't find their number) not too far away but only open 4 days a week so you need to call first.
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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 Jan 2, 2013 10:35:59 GMT -5
Greetings from florida... we don't have limestone, or any other stone... we have sand!!!
If you are looking for glass for tumbling, do what I do... hit up the thrift stores and see what they have... I was cleaning out the shed and took a couple truvk loads down to the local thrift and when I asked about glass for tumbling, they gave me 2 boxes of glass to try, some colored, some not, some too thin, but with nice thick bases so I said thank yoou took it home and began taking my frustrations out on it with "Betty" lol... no I just need an empty tumbler.
BTW... If you want to turn out stones every 3-4 days do not tumble agates or any hard rock... not gonna get that really liquid shine, in my opinion unless they tumble 2-3 days in each stage, then move on to the next, and don't forget to burnish rock, not glass, to really get that last bit of shine out of them!!
Thats my :2cents:
and again... Welcome to the Asylum.... nothing but rock addicts in here ... thank god !!
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