vance71975
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 760
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Post by vance71975 on Dec 18, 2022 16:13:10 GMT -5
You can use Pea Gravel from wal mart as a replacement for ceramic media with harder stones, and its far cheaper. 30lbs of Rainforest Outdoor Decorative Natural Stone on wal marts website is 43.48 VS 120 to 225 for 30 lbs of ceramic Media depending on size. For softer stones, glass marble vase fillers work well as they are the same hardness as say obsidian, my wal mart had 12 oz bags for 0.98 cents to 3.98 depending on what ones you get, so they are also pretty cheap for filler softer rocks. this is currently what i'm using ... i have some ceramics still but mostly use gravel. i've used the small stuff from walmart (especially in coarse because, although i'm aware many say media is not necessary in coarse, i'll often be working out the smallest little imperfection and find a new, huge chip if i don't use it or don't use enough. even in tough stuff like jasper. my covington rotary seems on the fast side?) anyway i use the smaller stuff in coarse and i've bought some bags of bigger, rounder gravel from petco for the lot-o (per inga's obsidian instructions, though i've yet to try obsidian). i also find it more colorful and interesting - i've found lots of amazing, tiny little rocks in the pea gravel! the very best, coolest ones get promoted on through the stages, polished and kept out at the very end. That is another reason for pea gravel for sure you never know if your gonna find an awesome pebble! |
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Post by Son Of Beach on Jun 4, 2024 21:24:54 GMT -5
I would like to add a large plastic bowl or tupperware has become essential to my weekly cleanouts, talking like 12" minimum, were talking garage sale stuff. I'm pretty sure mine is the top of an old cake tupperware getup. Maybe for those that can do cleanouts outside, but I'm pained to find an alternative when it's already full of rocks. Clear or opaque is better when the water finally comes clean. Recent photo but you get the idea....  |
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andyiii
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2024
Posts: 21
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Post by andyiii on Jun 4, 2024 22:45:07 GMT -5
I would add: tools and resources for various parts of the process are often fun funds at Goodwill or like thrift stores. Maybe I'm odd,, but I like strolling through there looking at things and trying to imagine a new use for them.
Especially things like stainless steel colanders for washing/rinsing stuff - can be quite spendy for good ones at a kitchenn store, can often be $2 at my local Goodwill - and it's definitely less dangerous than using the one from the wife's kitchen!
Plastic bins and buckets.
And glassware - my local Goodwills have so many clear glass vases, glasses, jars, etc. that they often put them on 60-80% off. Why store all your shiny rocks in tupperware bins in the basement when you can get a cool antique jar or vase to put them in? For 40 cents LOL
- Andy III
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Post by Son Of Beach on Jun 4, 2024 23:02:40 GMT -5
I would add: tools and resources for various parts of the process are often fun funds at Goodwill or like thrift stores. Maybe I'm odd,, but I like strolling through there looking at things and trying to imagine a new use for them. Especially things like stainless steel colanders for washing/rinsing stuff - can be quite spendy for good ones at a kitchenn store, can often be $2 at my local Goodwill - and it's definitely less dangerous than using the one from the wife's kitchen! Plastic bins and buckets. And glassware - my local Goodwills have so many clear glass vases, glasses, jars, etc. that they often put them on 60-80% off. Why store all your shiny rocks in tupperware bins in the basement when you can get a cool antique jar or vase to put them in? For 40 cents LOL - Andy III Solid points all around. Almost all of the gear outside of my tumblers has been found/purchased cheaply. |
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Nov 14, 2024 18:17:57 GMT -5
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Nov 14, 2024 18:17:57 GMT -5
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Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
