Hello Rock Tumblers! From sunny Tucson, Arizona
Nov 12, 2020 23:51:14 GMT -5
TheRock, NevadaBill, and 1 more like this
Post by storm on Nov 12, 2020 23:51:14 GMT -5
Hi everyone! I have recently relocated to Southern Arizona from Seattle and loving it…. Ok, this 2020 summer was a BIT too hot -but overall happy with the move.
I am new to the hobby, and like most of you I have 2 goals:
1) Hoping to learn from the best how to expertly rock tumble and produce more beautiful rocks
2) Get my bulk supplies (and major purchases) from the best places while saving money
What got me going on Tumbling: I saw a video on YouTube from “Michigan Rocks” called Mexican Crazy Lace tutorial, 48 mins long. He produced some very intriguing rocks, so shiny and awesome patterns. I loved it!
Stage 1: I immediately went to eBay and bought the National Geographic rock tumbling kit for 30 dollars.
So much care was put into that 4-week run of supplied materials, however I was constantly bumping or adjusting the tumbler to actually work, what a piece of junk!
My end rocks were 1/3 size of starting size, but actually looked decent.
**I needed more**
Stage 2: Upgrading my rotary tumbler to a single 3lb rotary from harbor freight set me back another 60 bucks, but it was a solid performer.
...More grit purchases, more rock purchases.
Stage 3: I went mainstream last month and got a respectable Dual 6-lb Rotary Rock Tumbler from MJR TUMBLERS – 250 bucks.
...More rocks, more grit. I was getting better, learning more.
Stage 4: bought a Lot-o-Tumbler for 220 bucks. Buying my grit in bulk now from sources like Johnson Brothers Lapidary.
My raw rock purchases are still on stage 2, using places like Kingsley North for Mexican Crazy Lace (25 lbs for $3.00/lb) and Tiger eye ($7.50/lb), and Red Jasper ($5.00/lb).
I need a better source for my raw rocks.
Thanks,
Storm
I am new to the hobby, and like most of you I have 2 goals:
1) Hoping to learn from the best how to expertly rock tumble and produce more beautiful rocks
2) Get my bulk supplies (and major purchases) from the best places while saving money
What got me going on Tumbling: I saw a video on YouTube from “Michigan Rocks” called Mexican Crazy Lace tutorial, 48 mins long. He produced some very intriguing rocks, so shiny and awesome patterns. I loved it!
Stage 1: I immediately went to eBay and bought the National Geographic rock tumbling kit for 30 dollars.
So much care was put into that 4-week run of supplied materials, however I was constantly bumping or adjusting the tumbler to actually work, what a piece of junk!
My end rocks were 1/3 size of starting size, but actually looked decent.
**I needed more**
Stage 2: Upgrading my rotary tumbler to a single 3lb rotary from harbor freight set me back another 60 bucks, but it was a solid performer.
...More grit purchases, more rock purchases.
Stage 3: I went mainstream last month and got a respectable Dual 6-lb Rotary Rock Tumbler from MJR TUMBLERS – 250 bucks.
...More rocks, more grit. I was getting better, learning more.
Stage 4: bought a Lot-o-Tumbler for 220 bucks. Buying my grit in bulk now from sources like Johnson Brothers Lapidary.
My raw rock purchases are still on stage 2, using places like Kingsley North for Mexican Crazy Lace (25 lbs for $3.00/lb) and Tiger eye ($7.50/lb), and Red Jasper ($5.00/lb).
I need a better source for my raw rocks.
Thanks,
Storm
~Duke
