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Post by 150FromFundy on Feb 26, 2010 16:31:36 GMT -5
I just finished a book by Steve Hart called Modern Rock Tumbling and felt it warranted a post. This is a REALLY good book for Newbie tumblers. Unlike many lapidary guides that cover all aspects of the lapidary arts, this book is all about tumbling. It focuses on rotary tumbling in great detail and spends a little time on vibratory tumbling. What I liked about it:This truly is a modern book written in 2008. All the photos are current and reflect what is available and used today. This book is written at a hobbyist level discussing the very same Lorotone and Thumler tumblers used by many of us. This book is comprehensive and develops the topic systematically. Here is what you will find inside:- The Basics (history, set-up, theory) - Preparation (sizing, loading, grading, cleanup, recording) - The 4-Stage Process - The 5-Stage Process for Softer Rock - Burnishing - Equipment Maintenance - Properties (particle size, hardness, toughness, abrasive/media - - quantity) - Materials (SC, polishes, ceramic, plastic, soap, burnishes) - Polish Specific Rocks - Vibratory Tumbling (intro, slurry, cycle time) What the sceptics (RTH veterans) may say:“ There’s nothin’ in that dang book that you can’t learn from RTH!” And this is exactly true. No arguments there! But … it took me about a year of “tumbling gone wrong” and RTH questions and answers to get to where this book will take you after one good read. After that, it will always be a good reference as the human brain ages. I definitely give this book a “thumbs up” and I know my other brother Darryl would do the same! You can get it from Steve Hart at The Little Red Store. www.littleredstore.com/Darryl. Modern Rock Tumbling by Steve Hart (photo used without permission, but it’s all good)
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Post by Toad on Feb 26, 2010 20:18:00 GMT -5
Funny how a book on 'modern' rock tumbling only touches on vibratory. Though the rotary stage(s) is essential, I think vibratory is just as much so - though other folks only use rotary... to each their own.
How many pages is it?
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Post by susand24224 on Feb 27, 2010 1:08:25 GMT -5
I think the book is excellent and I've been tumbling for thirty or so years--still screwing up occasionally. The vibratory tumbling section is not as thorough, but as it refers back to the rotary sections for various matters, is more thorough than the one chapter makes it appear. What I liked best about it is that although it gives specifics, it also focuses on observation of the process and letting it guide you rather than "use this grit seven days. . ., etc."
Plus the guy's just plain funny--btw, just checked, it's 96 pages.
Susan
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Feb 27, 2010 9:04:27 GMT -5
Think I'll have to look into this. However, I too feel sometimes there's an "old dog, new trick" attitude around the vibes. Or to put it another way, some negative vibes on vibes. I'd like to read up on advanced uses of the vibratory system....
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Post by rocklicker on Mar 1, 2010 17:09:21 GMT -5
Hmm, I believe I have the non-modern version... and it is very good. It doesn't have any mention of vibes but is chock full of useful tumbling info as you pointed out above. The thing I liked is that explained how to build a tumbler. I was able to successfully build 2 tumblers using the information in that book. Steve
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celt40
noticing nice landscape pebbles
KNIGHTHOOD FOR JOCK STEIN.
Member since July 2009
Posts: 99
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Post by celt40 on Mar 3, 2010 15:36:50 GMT -5
I notice that they will not ship outside US/Canada. Why? ? I thought they would want to sell as many copies as possable.
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Post by susand24224 on Mar 4, 2010 0:01:28 GMT -5
You might want to e-mail them and ask. There are a lot of countries now that tend to "lose" a lot of things through their postal system, which I think creates a major headache for the shippers. Also, the postal rates went up substantially to mail overseas.
UK is not a "problem" country, though, so maybe if you ask real nice (?)
Susan
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Post by 150FromFundy on Mar 4, 2010 13:23:56 GMT -5
The Little Red Store is not truly set up to sell to Canada. International postage rates have to be determined at the post office. There ar no FRB's. Credit cards have to be phoned in. The on-line Secure Site doesn't work outside USA. Even the toll free phones don't work outside the USA.
However, Steve Hart will bend over backwards to accomodate your order. I'm working on my second order now. The first one went great.
If you want something shipped internationally, just e-mail and ask. Chances are, you order can be accomodated. it will just take a little longer.
Darryl.
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Haleysdream
has rocks in the head
K-9 unit Rock Hounds
Member since January 2010
Posts: 654
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Post by Haleysdream on Mar 5, 2010 8:12:31 GMT -5
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stonemaster499
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since July 2014
Posts: 97
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Post by stonemaster499 on Aug 24, 2014 14:12:04 GMT -5
Great Book! I wanted to jump here with a 5-star review! I don't agree with the other comments that this book is only for beginners. ANYONE tumbling that hasn't read this, is missing something. It is not a book you just read, rather one you will use as a valuable resource, constantly referencing back to each section. This forum is great and has many recipes and formulas from people that tumble as a hobby. However, not many of the posters are actually tumbling on a large-scale or commercial level. I have learned a lot here, but don't underestimate the information in Steve Hart's book. I have had 5 different editions since 1988. He updated in 2008. The vibe section is still a little weak, as others mention, but still better than the general information floating in here. If you really understand the science, then you won't learn much. Most of the "expert" tumblers I come across, actually know very little...but get results. Keep that in mind too. Steve will breakdown the entire process, giving you more control as you go through each step. I shipped our first copy in 1992 to our factory in Madagascar. My qualifications: 22-years experience employing >500 lapidary experts in our Madagascar factory, and throughout our 50 quarries we own and operate. Our small rotaries hold 440 LB of rock each, vibratories 400 LB of rock each. We ship over 100 metric tons of rock each month, and operate more than 50 gemstone quarries in Madagascar. Tumbling is a small part of our business. When i see a 4# Lot-o-tumbler, i say "cute, who uses that toy"? www.madagascarminerals.comwww.gemsurfaces.com
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Post by Toad on Aug 24, 2014 14:49:39 GMT -5
Funny - I look at my comment from 2010, but now I'm strictly rotary. Not that I wouldn't get a vibe - but more a financial thing. I'll probably get another one day, but am perfectly content with rotary for now...
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Post by Toad on Aug 25, 2014 22:37:11 GMT -5
Rob (Jugglerguy) made an excellent point to me. Though rotary is cheaper equipment-wise (don't have to buy another tumbler). The vibes are cheaper in the long run based on the amount of grit/polish needed to be used. Guess I forgot that...
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Aug 26, 2014 2:08:00 GMT -5
Wow I just went to Amazon and they want $174.00 for a used paper back. I wonder if that comes with a tumbler LOL Stu
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Post by 150FromFundy on Aug 26, 2014 20:00:15 GMT -5
Interesting to see this post get resurrected from the "dead" after 4 years. This book is still available from the author, Steve Hart at The Little Red Store for $24.95. www.littleredstore.com/store/book-modern-rock-tumbling/It's still highly recommended for beginners that want to get better, and as a reference book for the know-it-alls. Darryl.
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Aug 27, 2014 3:51:58 GMT -5
Thanks Darryl, I just looked it up on the Kingsley North website and they have it as you said for $24.95. When I saw the listing on Amazon for $174 I thought that the book might be out of print and had become very valuable. At $24.95 I am going to order a copy from Kingsley. I don't tumble but I always thought about getting involved with that aspect of lapidary in addition to cabing and wire wrapping. Stu
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