USMC15
Cave Dweller
I feel like I just came out of the tumbler ...
Member since March 2021
Posts: 273
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Post by USMC15 on Mar 5, 2021 17:17:14 GMT -5
Hello,
I am new to tumbling and have already made quite the investment on starting this hobby. I found out about this forum by watching Michigan Rocks on YouTube. (No he is not the reason I got into this hobby, just found him as I was doing research)
I am tumbling my first batches of rocks as of this past Wednesday and now it is a waiting game. My kids are just as excited as me on how they turn out. I am tumbling 3 stones, Mexican Lace Agate, Botswana Agate, Green Mossy Oak Agste (in separate barrels) and I have acquired other stones to tumble later.
I plan on doing other Lapidary stuff as I progress, such as jewelry making, sphere making, just about all of it. My goal is to be able to start a small shop that will supplement my retirement and keep me busy.
I got into rocks and minerals after I took a geology class in college, don't want to be a geologist but I think that the stones and crystals tells a story and are very beautiful. It is hard to not get excited when you find a great specimen.
My goal in the forum is to learn all that I can. I may not become the best, but I still want to be good. I would like to thank you all in advance for helping my dreams come true and for helping me become a great Lapidary.
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 5, 2021 17:19:45 GMT -5
Welcome from Virginia.
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stonemon
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2017
Posts: 1,024
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Post by stonemon on Mar 5, 2021 17:33:10 GMT -5
Howdy from Oregon!
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hummingbirdstones2
fully equipped rock polisher
Vince A., 1958-2023
Member since August 2018
Posts: 1,461
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Mar 5, 2021 18:22:14 GMT -5
Welcome, from Arizona.
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Post by manofglass on Mar 5, 2021 18:22:48 GMT -5
Welcome from Michigan
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Mar 5, 2021 19:19:36 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona!
You've landed in the right place to explore all things rocks. Lots and lots of knowledgeable and helpful folks on this board. Enjoy!
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Post by opalpyrexia on Mar 5, 2021 19:58:57 GMT -5
Welcome from Washington.
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Post by jasoninsd on Mar 5, 2021 20:43:14 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from Rapid City! I think you might be the closest (in proximity) member I've seen on here!
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,506
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Post by Brian on Mar 5, 2021 20:49:47 GMT -5
Welcome!
This is a great hobby to share with kids. Mine are loving it! You made some great choices for the first tumble, too.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,666
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 6, 2021 15:49:45 GMT -5
Howdy... You live in grand heaven there.... Thumbs up
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Post by stephan on Mar 6, 2021 16:13:45 GMT -5
Welcome from NorCal. Careful, your closest neighbor, jasoninsd, might be a bad influence. Come to think of it, all of us might be, so nvm. Welcome to the addiction and a bunch of enablers.
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Post by TheRock on Mar 7, 2021 0:09:07 GMT -5
Welcome to RTH Forum from S/W Michigan! ~Duke
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USMC15
Cave Dweller
I feel like I just came out of the tumbler ...
Member since March 2021
Posts: 273
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Post by USMC15 on Mar 8, 2021 20:01:51 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from Rapid City! I think you might be the closest (in proximity) member I've seen on here! Box Elder, so real close
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Post by aDave on Mar 8, 2021 20:18:38 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from Southern CA. We loved our trip to your area a few years ago, and we still want to get back. Don't know if you are aware or not, but you're real close to a great Lapidary supplier, the Rock Shed, which is in Keystone. If you haven't been before, you need to take a trip there. Enjoy your stay here.
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USMC15
Cave Dweller
I feel like I just came out of the tumbler ...
Member since March 2021
Posts: 273
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Post by USMC15 on Mar 8, 2021 20:25:44 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from Southern CA. We loved our trip to your area a few years ago, and we still want to get back. Don't know if you are aware or not, but you're real close to a great Lapidary supplier, the Rock Shed, which is in Keystone. If you haven't been before, you need to take a trip there. Enjoy your stay here. I took a Geology elective in college and I went looking for Rock Shops. They were the second one I went to. I have spent thousands of dollars there. I'm in there so much they know me by name. Shawn is a great guy and real knowledgeable. Everyone there is so friendly.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 8, 2021 21:23:32 GMT -5
Welcome from Kentucky! I see from your other thread that you are excited to do a cleanout and get this first batch moved along. Also, that you are considering a Lot-O purchase. You and me, we got a lot in common. I did buy a Lot-O before my first batch of stones were done in the rotary and I know I produced a far superior final product than I would have with rotary tumbling alone. (Much respect to the rotary only tumblers) That machine is very forgiving, even for a first time user, who is usually trying to polish a bunch of rocks that don't belong in the same barrel together (guilty). Keep your rotary tumbler(s) open for rough grinding that first stage and move everything to the vibe when you have enough ready to move to stage two. That, and have patience in the first stage, with those Bots especially. They are tough and take a while to round out, but it's worth the wait.
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Post by aDave on Mar 8, 2021 22:57:41 GMT -5
Welcome from Kentucky! I see from your other thread that you are excited to do a cleanout and get this first batch moved along. Also, that you are considering a Lot-O purchase. You and me, we got a lot in common. I did buy a Lot-O before my first batch of stones were done in the rotary and I know I produced a far superior final product than I would have with rotary tumbling alone. (Much respect to the rotary only tumblers) That machine is very forgiving, even for a first time user, who is usually trying to polish a bunch of rocks that don't belong in the same barrel together (guilty). Keep your rotary tumbler(s) open for rough grinding that first stage and move everything to the vibe when you have enough ready to move to stage two. That, and have patience in the first stage, with those Bots especially. They are tough and take a while to round out, but it's worth the wait. USMC15, I couldn't agree more with this sentiment. I was a rotary guy for quite a while, so I feel the pain. Now, rotaries for rough work, a vibe for everything after the fact.
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Post by jasoninsd on Mar 8, 2021 23:26:00 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from Rapid City! I think you might be the closest (in proximity) member I've seen on here! Box Elder, so real close I'm south of Radar Hill - out by the airport...so even closer than I thought! LOL Seriously, welcome to the forum. If you need anything, don't be shy to give me a holler.
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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 12, 2021 10:55:44 GMT -5
Welcome from the Desert Southwest! You are not the first sent to the forums by Michigan Rocks! Rob has a popular spot on Youtube.
You have some good company here, with others from your state (SD) as well. They might be able to offer you some advice along the way.
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