RockSea
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2021
Posts: 3
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Post by RockSea on Feb 25, 2021 2:03:05 GMT -5
Hi RockSea here, I am new to the thread, and relatively new to rock tumbling. The hardest part for me is the WAITING!! Its like watching the grass grow. Soooo, while I'm impatiently waiting for my rocks to complete the second 7 day period of Grit #2, I have a question. Is there a homemade concoction to use instead of purchasing couse grit (#1), that works just as well?
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 25, 2021 2:31:20 GMT -5
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lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 766
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Post by lordsorril on Feb 25, 2021 5:54:01 GMT -5
The hardest part for me is the WAITING!! Greetings, My solution to the patience issue was to just add more rock tumblers so there is always a sense of 'progress'. If you buy Silicon Carbide in bulk from someplace like Johnson Brothers Lapidary then you can reduce the cost significantly over time.
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standles
spending too much on rocks
Well all I got was a rock ... Cool!
Member since February 2021
Posts: 325
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Post by standles on Feb 25, 2021 8:20:00 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum.
I feel your pain. Adding to my issues is a 7 year old grandson that has no patience. I use rotary for the first stage as it is most efficient. That first stage can take weeks as it is doing the majority of the shaping work. I added vibratory tumbler (about to get second) for the rest of the steps. In the vibe i can finish the last 3 stages in a week and it takes alot less grit than a rotary. The issue is feeding the vibe. I started with a single bbl tumbler now have four 3# bbls running. I am looking for a Thumbler Model B rotary to add so I can complete 12+ pound batches at a time.
As for the grit I am not away of any "homemade" type grit. The qualities of Grit are it has to be harder than material (reason for SiC) and have sharp edges. I thought about beach sand but saw where even though it can be used it would take twice as long as SiC and take twice as much in general. I regulated myself to buying grit in bulk. I get mine from Kingsley North but as stated Rockshed seems to be the preferred outlet.
Be sure to show off your beauties when you get a batch done. Steven
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 25, 2021 9:03:04 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona!
Not a tumbler, but if you have space to store it, buying bulk would be the most cost efficient way to go.
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Post by greig on Feb 25, 2021 9:15:14 GMT -5
Good question but you won't like the answer. The efficient stage 1-2 grit for the price is SC. The rounding can be faster if you pre-shape the rock or use softer rock.
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 25, 2021 9:43:27 GMT -5
Welcome to our rock world from Virginia. I don't tumble much, but I do know there is a lot of good tumbling advice here.
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Post by miket on Feb 25, 2021 10:39:45 GMT -5
Welcome to RTH! I started with rockhounding, then moved to tumbling and ran into the same issue with the waiting. I've had some stones that have been tumbling for over a year and I'm still not satisfied. So I got a saw and started cutting, then cabbing, then wrapping. Now the waiting doesn't seem as bad! I'll echo what jasoninsd stated, go to The Rock Shed for grit.
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Post by amygdule on Feb 25, 2021 11:45:29 GMT -5
Welcome from the Oregon Coast. The Sea is Rocking the Beach this winter and producing lots of gravel full of Agates, Jaspers and Fossils. While I'm waiting for the tumblers to work their magic, I go back down to the beach and collect more rocks. Good luck and success with your rock tumbling adventure.
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lookatthat
Cave Dweller
Whatever there is to be found.
Member since May 2017
Posts: 1,360
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Post by lookatthat on Feb 25, 2021 12:15:50 GMT -5
Get a bunch of orchids. You will then learn patience whether you want to or not.
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saxplayer
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2018
Posts: 1,327
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Post by saxplayer on Feb 25, 2021 13:12:43 GMT -5
Hi RockSea here, I am new to the thread, and relatively new to rock tumbling. The hardest part for me is the WAITING!! Its like watching the grass grow. Soooo, while I'm impatiently waiting for my rocks to complete the second 7 day period of Grit #2, I have a question. Is there a homemade concoction to use instead of purchasing couse grit (#1), that works just as well? Welcome to the forum! Tumbling is a test of patience indeed. Stage 1 is the longest as it is what determines the shape. This is really up to you as what you are after. I mostly tumble my stage 1 for months.. usually 2-3 months, sometimes 1 sometimes 6-8 months! I do weekly grit changes as the grit breaks down. If you have a serious desire to be tumbling, I'd recommend buying grit in bulk, and I recommend 36/70 grit from therockshed.com in bulk. I buy 100lb at a time
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Post by Pat on Feb 25, 2021 13:59:19 GMT -5
Welcome from California. I’m not a tumbler. After much encouragement and cheers from tumbling friends, we bought a tumbler et al years ago.
Followed directions and patiently waited for an hour, then another hour.... when it wasn’t done by dinner, it was clear to me that tumbling was not for me.
The tumbler became an accessory to metalsmithing. With stainless steel shot, a drop of Dawn, and some water, it polishes sterling, copper, and red brass jewelry pieces. Making and finishing jewelry is much quicker and more satisfying than polishing rocks.
However, I am grateful there are many tumblers. I like all those shiny rocks!
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Post by opalpyrexia on Feb 26, 2021 1:07:25 GMT -5
Welcome from Washington.
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jimaz
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2018
Posts: 461
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Post by jimaz on Feb 26, 2021 12:21:33 GMT -5
Welcome from southern Arizona.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 26, 2021 16:10:01 GMT -5
Howdy! Patience is the key... it doesn't get any better as time goes on either, LOL..
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Post by TheRock on Mar 1, 2021 13:44:51 GMT -5
Welcome to RTH Forum from S/W Michigan! ~Duke
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Mar 3, 2021 14:06:07 GMT -5
Welcome from the Desert Southwest!
The waiting is the hardest part (wait .. that sound like an old Tom Petty song!). Well, it's true for me too. I had a real problem opening up the tumbler days before it was ready just to see how the rocks were coming along. I still do it with the Vibe tumbler all the time.
You are definitely not alone in this regard!
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