Gary P.
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2020
Posts: 10
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Post by Gary P. on Dec 30, 2020 10:36:06 GMT -5
Hello fellow rock hounds! I just joined and wanted to introduce myself. I hale from the Chicago area of Illinois and I'm a geologist working in the environmental field. I have always had a love for geology since I was old enough to pick up a rock. I had the benefit of parents and family that loved to travel the lower 48 and we camped in our little pop-up trailer. This afforded me many opportunities to explore the geology across the US and collect boxes of rocks  . I began tumbling stones when I was much younger. Recently my girlfriend and I traveled to a little town north of Milwaukee WI call Cedarburg and discovered The Gem Shop. What a find! We have been back there three times picking out and buying rough rock from hundreds of 55-gallon drums and bins both inside and outside of the shop. We had the pleasure of speaking with Gene at the shop who I believe does most of their cutting and polishing on the premises. He gave us an impromptu tour of the shop. I noted some old rock saws tucked away in the back of their shop and asked if one in particular was for sale and if it still worked. Gene said he wasn't sure and plugged it in and sure enough the blade started spinning. I purchased it on the spot. I turns out it is a very old Fran Tom combo unit with a 10-inch trim saw, two grinding wheels, and a polisher on the end. I later found an old tag for the Westinghouse motor that identified the it as being manufactured in 1953! I have been spending the last month and a half getting it cleaned up and have replaced the blade and belt. I have more to do on it but I've began cutting rock slabs. This has really re-sparked my interest in geology and rocks! I found this website while I was searching the web for information on my saw and to learn how to cut slabs. I do like to tinker and have been spending some time trying to modify my rock vise to make it more versatile and have searched the forum pages for inspiration. There is a ton of good information on this site and I have to thank all of you that have contributed over the years. I look forward to reading more and hopefully being able to contribute something useful as I learn more. Thanks! |
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Post by manofglass on Dec 30, 2020 10:49:40 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from Michigan
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 30, 2020 11:01:42 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota! Very nice introduction. I think that might be the same rock shop I've read about on here from another member...the name and 55 gallon barrels ring a bell. That's awesome you were able to get the saw like that...and I'm sure the rabbit hole you have just jumped down will yield many hours spent using it! LOL I'm pretty sure manofglass would be willing to help you out with any questions on fixing/altering your saw or its components...he's amazing with that stuff! Feel free to contribute any and all pictures along the way...we love living vicariously around here! LOL |
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Gary P.
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2020
Posts: 10
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Post by Gary P. on Dec 30, 2020 18:05:50 GMT -5
Thanks for the welcome! I just finished building a sheet metal liner for the tray under the grinding wheels that had a number of holes. I haven't figured out how to upload photos yet. Yes, it is a rabbit hole! I'm already hearing grumbling from my girlfriend about "hiding" in the basement.
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 30, 2020 18:21:57 GMT -5
Hello and welcome from VA. I get emails and newsletter from The Gem Shop. (Assuming it is the same one.)
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Post by opalpyrexia on Dec 30, 2020 19:13:20 GMT -5
Welcome from Washington.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 30, 2020 21:33:35 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona! I spent the first 50 years of my life in the Chicago 'burbs until I escaped. 
Here's the link to the Cloudinary Tutorial that will set you up to upload photos to the forum via the "Upload File" button on the upper right of your screen. Takes a little time to walk through it, but once it's set up it's extremely efficient. |
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Gary P.
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2020
Posts: 10
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Post by Gary P. on Dec 31, 2020 16:48:16 GMT -5
I'm looking to escape too in the next few years. Thanks for sending the link!
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Gary P.
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2020
Posts: 10
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Post by Gary P. on Dec 31, 2020 17:35:14 GMT -5
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Gary P.
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2020
Posts: 10
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Post by Gary P. on Dec 31, 2020 17:36:20 GMT -5
I was able to figure out the tutorial, but how do I know how large of a file size it is?
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Post by drocknut on Dec 31, 2020 17:58:07 GMT -5
Hello and welcome to the forum from south central Arizona.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 31, 2020 18:33:00 GMT -5
I was able to figure out the tutorial, but how do I know how large of a file size it is? If you are on a Windows machine, just right click your picture and click properties at the bottom of the pop-up menu. |
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,039 
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Post by gemfeller on Dec 31, 2020 20:25:57 GMT -5
Welcome from southern California! Frantom machinery is among the best ever made. Your refurb looks great and I'm sure you'll have many pleasant hours using it. You're fortunate to have met and purchased from Gene Mueller of the Gem Shop. He's renowned as a gem miner, seller and lapidarist. I'm looking forward to your posts. While I'm not a professional geologist the field is one of my passions, especially plate tectonics and its consequences...living in coastal California I'm occasionally shaken (but so far not stirred) by some of the latter.
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Post by Pat on Dec 31, 2020 20:36:59 GMT -5
Welcome from California.
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Gary P.
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2020
Posts: 10
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Post by Gary P. on Jan 3, 2021 11:25:35 GMT -5
Thank you for everyone's welcomes! I look forward to posting as time allows and I know I'll have a lot of questions as I spend more time getting acquainted with the saw and reading the posts on this site.
Hi gemfeller. I wasn't aware of Gene's credentials although we definitely felt we were in the presence of a person with much knowledge, skills, and passion! The show was doing live videos his past fall on rocks they have collected and are selling with Gene front and center! I would like to join some of the rock collecting field trips I have read about, but with the current state of affairs it seems like those are on the back burner for now. Does anyone know how I get into the loop on when/where field trips are coming up and how to participate (if that's possible)?
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Gary P.
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2020
Posts: 10
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Post by Gary P. on Jan 3, 2021 11:27:02 GMT -5
Meant to say "shop" instead of "show" above, as in The Gem Shop.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,039
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Post by gemfeller on Jan 3, 2021 13:13:38 GMT -5
Gary P. Field trips are usually sponsored by local gem clubs. I don't know where you live but you can do an on-line search for gem and mineral clubs in your area. Joining will give you access to club members' knowledge of collecting opportunities in your area. Most clubs have speakers on lapidary-gem topics and many have lapidary equipment available for use by members. A big opportunity to buy fine lapidary material and schmooze with other rock enthusiasts is now in progress at Quartzsite, AZ. It happens every January, with many dealers coming together in the desert, offering all sorts of buying, collecting and learning options. The annual February Tucson AZ group of shows is another but the big shows (AGTA, GJX and others have been cancelled this year due to Covid. I'm sure many smaller dealers will be there but you'll need to do some searching to find details. Warning: lodging in Tucson during the shows can be expensive and often requires booking a year in advance. Unless you have an RV the same applies somewhat to accommodations near Quartzsite (Blythe CA among others). Happy hunting!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,715
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Post by Fossilman on Jan 4, 2021 11:00:55 GMT -5
Welcome and enjoy..
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Post by 1dave on Jan 4, 2021 12:43:35 GMT -5
Neahahahaha! Ve Half vays to steal ALL your time!  |
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Post by opalpyrexia on Jan 4, 2021 22:12:09 GMT -5
Neahahahaha! Ve Half vays to steal ALL your time!
And money!!
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. I began tumbling stones when I was much younger. Recently my girlfriend and I traveled to a little town north of Milwaukee WI call Cedarburg and discovered The Gem Shop. What a find! We have been back there three times picking out and buying rough rock from hundreds of 55-gallon drums and bins both inside and outside of the shop. We had the pleasure of speaking with Gene at the shop who I believe does most of their cutting and polishing on the premises. He gave us an impromptu tour of the shop. I noted some old rock saws tucked away in the back of their shop and asked if one in particular was for sale and if it still worked. Gene said he wasn't sure and plugged it in and sure enough the blade started spinning. I purchased it on the spot. I turns out it is a very old Fran Tom combo unit with a 10-inch trim saw, two grinding wheels, and a polisher on the end. I later found an old tag for the Westinghouse motor that identified the it as being manufactured in 1953! I have been spending the last month and a half getting it cleaned up and have replaced the blade and belt. I have more to do on it but I've began cutting rock slabs. This has really re-sparked my interest in geology and rocks!
