swiper
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 64
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Post by swiper on Jul 14, 2014 22:43:35 GMT -5
I've saved enough to order a Lot O Tumbler from the Rock Shed. They have a great selection of rock for sale but I'm having a hard time choosing. I see they have a mixed bag which I will probably get, but what else would you recommend as a cool rock to tumble?
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Jul 14, 2014 23:06:46 GMT -5
My vote would be the South Dakota Pet Wood. But you can start with any of the agates or jaspers. Avoid the quartz, apache tears, and other softer rocks until you get some experience. The best rocks to tumble though are the ones you collected.Even if they don't get the best shine they'll still be more precious than the bought rocks you polish.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jul 14, 2014 23:32:16 GMT -5
I really enjoyed the Mexican lace agate I got there. It took forever to grind down and was much, much smaller by the end, but wow, was it cool looking. Mexican Lace
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Jul 15, 2014 8:55:05 GMT -5
I have never gotten any "bad" rough from them. Be aware that the mixed rough is likely to have some of the "softer" rocks mixed in. I have ordered the mixed rough several times and always been happy with what I received.
Can't go wrong with the Bahia agates ...
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panamark
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,343
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Post by panamark on Jul 15, 2014 9:16:00 GMT -5
I second recommendations of Rob and Ken. I have gotten some good stuff from the Rock Shed, but have to say I was pretty disappointed with the mixed stuff as it was almost all the softer and cheaper stuff, nothing really nice. I liked the mexican lace but agree that it takes a loooong to tumble. I liked the apatite and amazonite for the colors, and they tumbled up nice. The mexican jasper and fancy jasper looks good, also the Mozambique agate (which I have never seen before).
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roundrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Holding on to the Stone of Destiny
Member since June 2014
Posts: 91
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Post by roundrock on Jul 15, 2014 9:59:01 GMT -5
I bought a few pounds of the Bahia agate and Mexican lace and am actually tumbling both now. After the first clean up of a week in 60/90 the stones are looking great. The Bahias are coming along faster than the lace. I expect the lace will go through several rough stages before moving on. I also bought some Turritella and Unakite that I have not started yet, but the colors showing in the rough have me waiting in anticipation.
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jjdub
starting to shine!
Member since December 2013
Posts: 27
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Post by jjdub on Jul 15, 2014 11:33:04 GMT -5
I have never gotten any "bad" rough from them. Be aware that the mixed rough is likely to have some of the "softer" rocks mixed in. I have ordered the mixed rough several times and always been happy with what I received. Can't go wrong with the Bahia agates ... Agreed, Bahia is a great rock to start with. I would stay away from the green tree agate (lots of pits) but otherwise any of the agates and jaspers should suit you well.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jul 15, 2014 11:36:19 GMT -5
You might want to avoid the quartz. It's not that quartz is bad, but it fractures easily or will already be fractured when you get it. I got a mix of quartz, clear, citrine, and amethyst from The Rock Shed and it's not one of my favorite tumbles. There was nothing wrong with it, I just prefer agates and jaspers. Also avoid anything soft, it will be harder to get a shine on.
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swiper
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 64
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Post by swiper on Jul 15, 2014 13:35:42 GMT -5
Well you know how they have the little titles under your name "Considering spending too much on rocks"? Well, yeah. Let's just say I won't tell the wife how much I just spent. I HAD to take advantage of the 10% and 20% off for buying the Lot-O. The Rock Shed had the best price I could find too so it made it a no brainer. I did not buy any quartz and skipped the grab bag of rock as there are other sites I can buy mixed stuff for cheaper. I did buy some apache tears for a future tumble as I think they are so cool. I'll definitely wait on those until I have enough experience though. Bought them now for the 20% off. Bought some mexican lace, petrified wood, and a bunch of other stuff I can't think of right now. Good thing I am working overtime next weekend... Thanks for recommendations.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jul 15, 2014 15:07:37 GMT -5
You know how when your wife buys a bunch of stuff at Kohls and they circle the discount on the receipt and tell her how much she "saved"? That always irritates me. But in this situation, maybe you could use it to your advantage and show her how much you "saved". She'll probably tell you that you should have ordered even more so that you could have saved more!
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roundrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Holding on to the Stone of Destiny
Member since June 2014
Posts: 91
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Post by roundrock on Jul 15, 2014 19:22:14 GMT -5
You know how when your wife buys a bunch of stuff at Kohls and they circle the discount on the receipt and tell her how much she "saved"? That always irritates me. But in this situation, maybe you could use it to your advantage and show her how much you "saved". She'll probably tell you that you should have ordered even more so that you could have saved more! But wait until she comes back from shopping and then compare who saved the most. Either way you come out a winner, you either spent less or saved more.
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swiper
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 64
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Post by swiper on Jul 15, 2014 21:06:53 GMT -5
I forgot she receives the Paypal receipts in her email...doh. Oh well, just had to explain the OT from yesterday and next sunday will take care of it. I'll keep that tip in mind next time though roundrock!!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on Jul 16, 2014 14:46:05 GMT -5
Enjoy it all.....
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swiper
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 64
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Post by swiper on Jul 16, 2014 21:24:57 GMT -5
Thanks fossilman, definitely will. I'm enjoying my rocks from Lake Superior but it will be nice to have something as a known variable. It will be something different to play with.
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swiper
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 64
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Post by swiper on Jul 18, 2014 21:23:20 GMT -5
Received my order today. Can't wait to mount the Lot-O and get started!!
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Post by connrock on Jul 19, 2014 8:11:50 GMT -5
The Lot-O-Tumbler is very aggressive and will create slurry pretty fast.I suggest that you start using it on a day you can tend to it often,,,,maybe take a look in every 2-3 hours so you can see what's going on in there and get familiar with the whole process. As the slurry forms the action/rolling rocks will slow down and will only need a few squirts of water from a spray bottle to get them rolling nicely again.Add a little water and wait for a couple of minutes.Add more water and wait a couple minutes,etc,etc. If you add too much water the rocks will almost stop rolling and the barrel will "sink" down into the frame,,,the sound will change as well so DO NOT add too much water.Patience is a MUST here so be patient.
The first course of 220 grit needs much more tending then the following courses as they don't remove much material from the rocks. The manufacturer suggests putting a small hole in the barrel cap but I found that this only helps to dry the tumbling rocks out much faster so I suggest you don't put a hole in the cap.You can always do it later if you want to. If you have questions or problems feel free to PM me and I'll try to help you as best I can! Good luck,be patient and mostly,,,ave fun! connrock
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swiper
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 64
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Post by swiper on Jul 19, 2014 20:56:31 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice. I most definitely will start my first batch on a day I have off so I can tend to it.
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