Andy
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2003
Posts: 2
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Post by Andy on Mar 9, 2003 21:30:40 GMT -5
HI - Welcome to the Rock Tumbling Hobby message board.
Started on 9th March 2003.
I was thinking.... I'd like to post pictures up of any work anybody has done, back on the main site, if you'd like to share your work with other visitors, then send it in to me at andrew@rocktumblinghobby.com and I will post it up there.
Andy.
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Welcome
Mar 10, 2003 9:05:43 GMT -5
Post by Kai on Mar 10, 2003 9:05:43 GMT -5
Hi there.. great site... My husband has expressed an interest in this hobby, and I would like to get him a kit to get started.. Can you help me decide which one to get.. what to look for ? what to watch out for ? I would really appreciate your advice. Thanks in advanc
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Welcome
Mar 10, 2003 20:49:14 GMT -5
Post by Andrew on Mar 10, 2003 20:49:14 GMT -5
Hi Kai, welcome to the board, you are the first member!!
It all depends on how much rock your husband wants to produce really. Heres a rough guideline though which you may find useful.
Start with a tumbler which can hold two barrels at 1.5 Pounds of stone each (or a larger twin at 2x3LB barrels) - its more interesting if there are two projects running at the same time as they get out of step and need attention at different times - this increasing your own involvement.
Make sure you can get separate barrels for the tumbler you choose - its best to have at least one barrel for each type of grit. I'd ask in your store whether this is the case as you view the machines they have (I consider this important) - Some kits are sold with just the one set of barrels and these are expected to be used with all grit types - not advisable.
On the site - you can see the type of barrel I use, they are cheap and cheerful, easily replaceable and readily available.
In terms of stone, you could try and find out from your husband what he likes and buy a bag of that which is allready broken into suitably sized pieces for your chosen barrels. If you go for a twin barrel machine, you can buy an additional mixed bag to start with - keep your eye out for an "agate" pack - ideal for starting out and relatively well mixed hardnesses.
Some barrels are lined for soundproofing, so if noise could be an issue - look out for this type as you shop around. Its not dreadfully loud - but very very persistent.
Then you'll need the other bits and peices like grits and such as shown at the main site.
Hope this helps for starters.
Thanks for visiting - let me know how it goes - or if you have any more questions and I'll do my best.
Andrew.
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Welcome
Mar 13, 2003 10:06:07 GMT -5
Post by Pat on Mar 13, 2003 10:06:07 GMT -5
thanks Andy for the quick reply to "a gritty question" email!!! this is a great site and I look forward to tapping into the message boards for info from you more seasoned tumblers. Pat
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Welcome
Mar 13, 2003 21:39:59 GMT -5
Post by Andrew on Mar 13, 2003 21:39:59 GMT -5
Hi Pat - no problem - hoped it helped.
Yes, there are plenty of people on the site each day, reading up.
I am looking for links from other rock sites at the moment so soon enough there will be lots of enthusiasts visiting and contributing their knowledge and secrets.
Andrew.
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Moonsinger
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2003
Posts: 1
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Welcome
Apr 3, 2003 11:59:18 GMT -5
Post by Moonsinger on Apr 3, 2003 11:59:18 GMT -5
Hi, thanks for letting me join!
Can anyone tell me if I can tumble broken china? I'm doing mosaic, and would like to get a smooth edge to my pieces of tile, china, etc. Will tumbling take off the glaze? Could I put tape or something on top of the piece so the glaze won't come off?
Thanks, Moonsinger
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Post by Andrew on Apr 4, 2003 2:18:21 GMT -5
Hi Moonsinger
Tape will not last more than an hour or so in grit, so you will lose your glaze very quickly.
Also, I would think that China will chip and pit as it is too brittle for this process - although I have never tried it.
I dont really know a lot about china, maybe someone else visiting could help out?
Cheers Andrew
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Post by Tnguy on Apr 5, 2003 0:14:21 GMT -5
You can gring true porcelain just like rock, I've done this with the "Ming" shards available as jewelry-making material. Use a fine-grained silicon carbide wheel (100) and work slowly using water to keep things wet and cool.
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Post by Ivey on Apr 5, 2003 0:16:13 GMT -5
Er....make that "you can grind..."
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Welcome
Aug 28, 2003 15:49:35 GMT -5
Post by hurk 03 on Aug 28, 2003 15:49:35 GMT -5
well Andy.... Logged on today and there were 7 guests having a look see... just wanted to say congrats on the impact the site seems to be having and thought the welcome should be moved back to the first page ;D thanks again for the site HURK ps. how many members do you have now?
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Welcome
Sept 2, 2003 16:55:30 GMT -5
Post by Andrew on Sept 2, 2003 16:55:30 GMT -5
I don't know how many we are now on the board, but it is growing, and the more the merrier, and of course - the more people there are then the more answers and views can be given.
It seems to be growing steadily which is good.
The site itself gets about 100 unique visitors per day, which is a fairly respectable 35,000 people per year for a honny site - given that the topic is fairly "niche".
Most visitors to the site go to the pictures page, and the equipment page - with many others stepping through the cycle and spending up to and hour or so poking round.
Just for info. I think this forum will continue to grow steadily as we are number 1 on Google for "rock tumbling", and additionally, we are number 4 on MSN for "rock tumbling" - (cant beat that cos of the sponsored paid advertisers).
These search engines are where most people find us from.
Just for info.
Cheers Andrew.
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Welcome
Sept 2, 2003 16:56:21 GMT -5
Post by Andrew on Sept 2, 2003 16:56:21 GMT -5
Honny? Hobby I mean.
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WilliamC
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2003
Posts: 416
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Welcome
Sept 2, 2003 20:14:27 GMT -5
Post by WilliamC on Sept 2, 2003 20:14:27 GMT -5
Greetings All, Hey Andy, just wanted to add my thanks to you for providing this site and message board. It's fun to have others to communicate with that share my interest in rocks and rock tumbling. I'll try to get some pictures to you after I complete my first batch of the green aventurine. WilliamC Oh yes, Chris wants to add some smilies, so here goes...
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Welcome
Dec 4, 2003 15:55:57 GMT -5
Post by Noosh9057 on Dec 4, 2003 15:55:57 GMT -5
Well I would love to post some of my Rocks as soon as I get my first bach done.
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