jaytba
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2021
Posts: 1
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Post by jaytba on May 26, 2021 16:18:13 GMT -5
Hi All. Started rock hunting as a boy. Enjoy/ed the treasure hunt. Paused during the family years as kids became the hobby. Now in retirement and pursuing multiple interests as time, wife, children and grandchild allow. Thought I'd work with the rocks I've collected over the years. Have a combination unit, vibrating flat lap, 10" saw, Model B rotary and an Ultra-Vibe 10 tumbler. Numerous books on the topic as well. Consider myself a novice as I explore what each of these tools is capable of. My ultimate goal is to produce a small table (yeah woodworking will be another challenge) with polished rocks and cabochons sealed in resin. The gentleman who introduced me to rock hunting many years ago in Washington state produced such items and they were beautiful. On my journey to that end goal I have produced a small quantity of polished stones and made my first foray into cutting rocks. I believe it will take some time to master cutting decent small cabochons. While I have several questions I'd like to ask I will start with a simple one. While I'd like to slab(my term) some rocks for use in the table mentioned above I first want the outsides polished so there would be no raw side visible. And while I'm trying to adhere to guidelines I've read I know I'm challenging my Model B with too large of stones. So finally to the question(s). What size rotary tumbler should I have to tumble rocks up to 3 1/2" to 4" diameter? I'm looking at the Covington 40# Model 628 and am trying to justify the expenditure. Are there other options? By the way, the material I'm working with is agate, jasper, and petrified wood. I look forward to any and all input. Have a great day! jaytba
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Post by opalpyrexia on May 26, 2021 17:32:10 GMT -5
Welcome from Washington. I don't tumble, but the tumblers here can certainly help.
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Post by jasoninsd on May 26, 2021 19:25:55 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota! I have a Model B rotary and a UV-18 vibratory tumblers. Both of them can easily handle a 4" rock/slab. The one thing to remember about a 40 pound tumbler is that you're going to be lifting those 40 pounds constantly... I think we'd all love to see pictures of your projects and rocks!
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Post by manofglass on May 26, 2021 19:54:47 GMT -5
Welcome from Michigan
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rocket
spending too much on rocks
Quality slabs for quality cabs in 2022
Member since September 2020
Posts: 292
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Post by rocket on May 26, 2021 21:18:03 GMT -5
Welcome from Maryland
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Post by Pat on May 26, 2021 21:50:13 GMT -5
Welcome from California. Not a tumbler, but you came to the right place.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on May 26, 2021 21:50:43 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona!
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saxplayer
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2018
Posts: 1,327
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Post by saxplayer on May 26, 2021 21:57:22 GMT -5
Welcome! You have a ton of great equipment already, how awesome! In terms of rotary tumbling say a 4'' diameter rock, a 12 lb barrel will work easily. If you are wanting to do many 4'' diameter rocks at once you'll need a huge 40lb tumbler and lots of smalls.. to adequately tumble the outer "crust" into something polished and smooth, it will be challenging because you need a lot of smalls to do so. I would recommend grinding the outer "crust" away first then tumbling. See jamesp posts here about his "tuck blade" grinding system.. search that. Recommended highly for quickest removal of material.
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Post by drocknut on May 27, 2021 10:51:28 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from south central Arizona. I don't tumble right now but this is a great place to learn and ask questions. You might want to post your question in the tumbling section of the forum to get more responses.
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rockfrog
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2021
Posts: 114
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Post by rockfrog on May 27, 2021 11:42:08 GMT -5
Welcome from Texas!
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