amerysarmy
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2015
Posts: 1
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Post by amerysarmy on Jul 18, 2015 11:53:40 GMT -5
Ok, My daughter will soon be 7 years old in Aug. She has recently gotten the Geology bug while she has been studying Paleontology. We will be going on several digs in the upcoming weeks. She has a terminal illness that keeps her from doing many things. One of which is muscle tone or lack there of. I want to get her a Dremel and a flex shaft for her birthday to use on her rock finds. What is the best Dremel (speed controls, tools etc) to use with the flex shaft on rocks, minerals and Gemstones? I have also registered her for a JR Rockhound club but since its summer their first meeting back isnt til Sept. I would really like any tips, tricks, equipment suggestions, newbie info, etc you all are willing to share. Her disease is physical not cognitive so she has the brain power to understand and she actually has a quite brilliant mind for a 6 year old. Thanks in Advance.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 18, 2015 15:02:29 GMT -5
Amerysarmy, My congratulations and appreciation for encouraging you daughter in such a challenging hobby. It will be one that will likely stay with her for a long time. While I hear you ask about Dremels and flex tools, I'm tempted to suggest a vibratory tumbler as a way to jump into rocks efficiently, relatively inexpensively, and with nearly instantaneous rewards in terms of progress, products, and fascination in the variety of nature. A 24 hr run shows big progress, and a 4 or 5 day run can produce kid pleasing results by the dozens or hundereds. The entry level Raytech vibratory machines are in the $100 range and grit use is modest compared to a rotary tumbler. This is especially true when you start with stream, river, or beach stones that have been prepolished, rounded, and sorted by mother nature. Attention span relative to progress is important in any startup hobby.
I've helped my nephew grind on a few rocks using a bench cab machine and he enjoyed that but he did not stay long enough to finish up the product (with adult help) products could be completed cooperatively. I'm just thinking the hand eye coordination of using a flex shaft tool would be one step up from addressing a bench type grind/sanding wheel. Of course the flex shaft could be mounted in a vice.
Lapidary equipment is relatively safe, but I can envision some aspects of Dremels that are more of concern than other tools. I'm sure others will have good suggestions for your consideration too. Tom
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Post by mohs on Jul 18, 2015 18:26:19 GMT -5
That’s really great !
I don’t particularly have any suggestions for Amy --but she need to know she shines like a diamond.
I can say my sister as cerebral palsy and did really fabulous painting on plaster of paris figurines. So when it comes to art and limitations--- there are none.
Best wishes,
Ed
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Post by mohs on Jul 18, 2015 18:39:36 GMT -5
another suggestion might be a lapping machine not necessarily to to do faceting hard gems
but I don't see why this machine, with the attachment, couldn't be used to polish facets on any type of different stones?
it would engage the mind and the possibility of producing some fine cabs...
another thing down the road Amy may enjoy is beading lots of geology in that craft...
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Jul 18, 2015 20:56:13 GMT -5
A Dremel doesn't require much muscle but there may be a requirement for precision which I found tiring. In my younger years when I had some health issues I felt like a good solution (for me) was to use a rotary tumbler for grinding/shaping followed up by a Lot O to get a quick polish. It wasn't a REAL quick process, and I know kids need a certain amount of quick gratification, but it might be something to think about if the Dremel proves too tiring for her to hold for more than a few minutes at a time.
Those who follow me know I no longer use a vibe. Before I got into tumbling, I started as a cabber using a cabbing wheel and I've always enjoyed doing that when I was able to. These days I'm back to using a grinding wheel to get rough shapes followed by a rotary. But I like the rotary plus Lot O process better for a 7 year old. Quicker results will encourage her and also less chance of losing a fingernail. Heck, I still lose fingernails from time to time...grinding wheels get hungry!
I know this isn't helpful if you have already decided on the flex shaft. But if you are still pondering it's something you can consider. If you are confident Dremel/flex shaft is the way to go, it might be good to repost your question or a similar question in the carving thread...
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Post by pauls on Jul 19, 2015 16:47:39 GMT -5
If you go the Dremel route buy a Dremel or Foredom not one of the cheap Chinese jobs, they just aren't good value.
Another way for your daughter to get polishing her stones is to really go back to basics, go to an Auto panel shop or Auto paint shop and buy an assortment of different grits Wet and Dry papers. Work through the range something like 120 grit 240 grit 600 grit and 1200 grit sheets this should only cost you a couple of dollars and by the time she is up to the 1200 she will have a semi polish on her stone. I am not sure what to recommend for polish, maybe someone is near you and could get a small quantity of Tin Oxide to you. It is really just a matter of rubbing the stone on the 120 until all the blemishes are gone then work through the numbers up to 1200, perhaps place the sheet of wet and dry on a towel to cushion it and protect your furniture, but otherwise its simple and cheap.
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Jul 19, 2015 18:05:37 GMT -5
I'd have to follow along with Peruano here. I think the vibe tumbler would produce wonderful specimens without the possible injury with a Dremel. I have both, and seldom use the Dremel except to drill holes in a cab once in a great while. The Loto (vibe-tumbler) goes 24-7!
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