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Post by taylor on Jan 4, 2021 22:30:42 GMT -5
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! Postponed...until April. Many of the shows' websites are giving April 2021 dates.
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mizre
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2021
Posts: 1
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Post by mizre on Jan 5, 2021 17:29:35 GMT -5
Hi I'm new and I simply just love rocks to collect. I haven't polished though I have a rock tumbler and am interested in learning to polish and would love to find actual gems. I am mainly looking for places to go find rocks that are in my area. I have rocks all over my yard and have several displayed bowls inside my home. I also have a 4yr old grandson that loves rock as much as I do we just like exploring and finding neat stuff.
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Post by opalpyrexia on Jan 5, 2021 20:45:27 GMT -5
Hi, mizre! Welcome from Washington. You should consider creating your own separate thread (a new topic) so that everyone notices you.
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Jan 7, 2021 13:43:26 GMT -5
Hi, mizre ! Welcome from Washington. You should consider creating your own separate thread (a new topic) so that everyone notices you. Agree! When you get a chance mizre, please introduce yourself some time!
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Jan 7, 2021 13:47:45 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! Welcome to the RTH from the Desert Southwest!
What a great introduction! And wow, the picture of equipment you purchased is awesome. You have quite a find there. The Frantom being a real gem that once you clean up and running sharply will last you a lifetime. What a find!
I look forward to seeing some of the restoration maybe in another photo some time. Or perhaps a post of some of the works.
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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 12, 2021 13:16:13 GMT -5
Thanks NevadaBill! I wish I had more time to work on refurbishing the unit and cutting rocks, but life has a way of keeping me busy. I finally received some supplies I was waiting for over a month for. USPS appears to be overwhelmed! I was able to true my two grinding wheels and create some replacement stand-offs (I believe that's what they are called). I fixed the water system and have a gravity feed. I just ordered some grease to grease the bearings. I will post some updated pictures soon.
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Post by TheRock on Mar 2, 2021 9:56:48 GMT -5
Welcome to RTH Forum from S/W Michigan! ~Duke
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