firstgenius
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2013
Posts: 2
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Post by firstgenius on Dec 31, 2013 12:57:06 GMT -5
I have several rocks that I selected from a small quarry in New Hampshire. They are relatively large, and I would like to put them on display or use them as bookends. The question is, how do I go about doing this? Are the rock tumblers on the market too small? How should I go about this?
Please help me!!
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,352
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Post by quartz on Dec 31, 2013 13:37:45 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum, there's lots of information and help available here.
First ques., how big is "relatively large"? Typically, bookends are sawn to provide a flat surface to set on, and generally a flat surface at a right angle to push books together. Display pieces are often tumble polished, if indeed that is what you want to do with them. Some pieces are better left cleaned and otherwise unmodified to display as specimen pieces. More information on the material you have and intended goals for use would be helpful; pictures are always helpful.
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blessed
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by blessed on Dec 31, 2013 20:58:14 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum. There are tumblers on the market that will polish a 10 LB. rock. Big dollars. Being a old wood rat with saw dust on the brain. I would build a wood "L" out of oak or other nice wood, and just set the rock on it. This way every thing could be dusted. That what I would do. Just a thought.
James
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firstgenius
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2013
Posts: 2
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Post by firstgenius on Jan 1, 2014 12:26:27 GMT -5
Quartz and blessed, thank you for getting back with me. I have attached a photo of the rocks that I have. I don't really know much about rocks, but I am wondering if I can tumble the ones I have in this picture. Blessed, do you have a link to a website where I could purchase a tumbler like the one you mentioned? Quartz, what should I do now? I have a few relatively large rocks, can I tumble them? here is the picture. Please help! flic.kr/p/iP2MDQ
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blessed
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by blessed on Jan 1, 2014 22:02:47 GMT -5
Most of us buy our supplies from "The rock shop". Super nice people. They have one that is rated for 65 pounds. Like I said "BIG DOLLERS".
James
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blessed
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by blessed on Jan 1, 2014 22:04:56 GMT -5
The Rock Shed.
James
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Jan 1, 2014 22:19:34 GMT -5
Firsgenius: You have a couple options, one is the Lortone C40, and the other is the Covington 40 pound production tumbler. I like the Lortone, because it has a carry handle on the side of the 40 pound metal barrel. It'll get heavy, so I am sure you would make some good use of that feature. You could consider the Diamond Pacific, if you wish to spend the money. But that barrel will likely weigh a hundred pounds when it's full. The Covington 40 pounder can be had for $30.00 less than the Lortone, but it may be of similar quality. With that considered, you will want at least one or two smaller tumblers to handle parts of the load that have been smoothed out by the larger tumbler. You could probably get away with a Thumler's Model B, or even a Lortone QT-12 (both are in the $200.00 range) for the smaller units.
I would say, your start-up cost will be in the neighborhood of $800.00, but that doesn't include the 50 pound box of 60/90 grit you'll need in addition to the tumblers. But don't despair! That's usually the price of a good hunting rifle, or even a nice set of gulf clubs.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,352
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Post by quartz on Jan 1, 2014 22:26:19 GMT -5
If you have a big enough tumbler, you can tumble anything. That is often a limiting factor; i.e. cost to buy or ability to build. Were you to tumble the pieces you show, figure on a barrel size that your rocks will fill to 3/4 full. You didn't provide a size reference, but it looks like a couple of them are maybe near fist size. One option here [which I personally dislike] is to break the larger ones up to provide smaller tumbling fodder. Or tumble up the smaller ones and save the larger as specimen pieces. The options are many, do a lot of looking at others work before making up your mind. The one thing I noticed is your collection looks to be opaque rather than translucent, they may tumble up to be very smooth, but not real shiny. This is often the case with quartz, as the opaque material is made up of fairly large crystals, rather than very small. Not that this is a bad thing, you do what you like. Expect to spend a lot of time looking and learning, and remember one thing, there are no "rules", if you enjoy what you are doing and the results you are getting, that's O.K. And, patience, patience,... Larry
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 1, 2014 22:57:28 GMT -5
If the rock is soft enough, you could use a flat lap. This is a fossil I polished on a flat lap. I started out buy grinding it down with an angle grinder and then finished it on a flat lap. It's probably only about a four on the Mohs scale though. I wouldn't try this method on anything harder.
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jconn83
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2014
Posts: 9
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Post by jconn83 on Jan 5, 2014 16:57:03 GMT -5
Can someone post a website for rock tumblers and other equipment please I am very new to this and I would like to be more involved thank you
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 5, 2014 17:33:29 GMT -5
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 6, 2014 12:29:54 GMT -5
OK, Looking at your picture I think the first thing that should be addressed is whether those rocks will tumble at all. Rocks that will polish well must be homogeneous in texture and hardness and not overly porous. You cannot tumble hard rocks and soft ones in combination and stones that are composed of several minerals of varying hardness will be problematic too. Before I invested big bucks in a commercial sized machine for tumbling big rocks, I'd really examine evaluate the specimens you want to tumble to see if they are even good candidates for a tumbler......Mel
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