sschus87
starting to shine!
Member since November 2015
Posts: 49
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Post by sschus87 on Nov 17, 2015 23:32:00 GMT -5
I bet I am not alone in that, huh?
I attended my first rock show in Mason Michigan a month or so ago, and I was hooked. I bought a Harbor Freight tumbler and some grit online and scoured a few driveways for rocks and started my first batch. Glad I read a little info on here before I got headed down the wrong path. I have been pretty happy with my results so far and I know that this is going to be a life long hobby for me now. Being 48, I only have another 30 or so years to figure this stuff out. Wish me luck!!
BTW, am I the only one who pulls in to a parking lot and before I walk in to the business I have to look at their rock beds outside just in case a gem is hiding there? I haven't found anything super special yet, but, hey, you never know...
Anyhow, thanks for this board! I am looking forward to learning from all of you and enjoying this for a long, long time...
Thanks---Steve
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 18, 2015 7:26:20 GMT -5
Welcome from a fellow Michigan member. Between myself and my kid we pretty much check out all the landscape rocks at businesses but I took it one step further this summer and rock hounded the roof of the building I work in while the repair guys were fixing the A/C. Found three Michigan pudding stones hiding up there. Chuck
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Post by Peruano on Nov 18, 2015 7:32:40 GMT -5
When you find yourself picking up gum, cig butts, or reaching for colored paper to examine their details, you know you are trying too hard. Enjoy. Tom
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Intheswamp
Cave Dweller
Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on Nov 18, 2015 7:52:45 GMT -5
Welcome aboard, Steve. Yep, you never can tell what you'll find in the parking lots. I'll even casually check the *busted* bags of gravel at Lowes, HD, etc.,. Dollar Tree carries some interesting $1 bags of Chinese rocks, too. Depending on what part of the country you're located in you might find rocks along sandbars on rivers or creeks or along lake shorelines...naturally anywhere rocky terrain is found but the variety might be limited. I like gravel beds and shorelines as I'm mostly looking for tumbling rough rather than the big chucks for slabbing, etc.,. Exposed banks along the highways and by-ways (road cuts) can yield rocks...construction sites, etc.,...basically anywhere the earth is exposed and some erosion has taken place. Also, somebody(can't remember who) suggested looking at railroad beds as each area/region will have different varieties (colors, grains, etc) of granite...some polish up right nicely. Be careful as this hobby can get rather addicting. The area of south Alabama that I live in I refer to as the land of muck and mud...not many rocks around here so I have to drive a couple of hours to find much of anything...costs me gas but it's good therapy, the ride is simply part of "the hunt". So, where are you located (roughly). Have fun!!! Ed ETA: <DUHHHH!!!!> Michigan....I never got good marks in "reading comprehensive (they never had enough pictures)". In Michigan...you should have plenty of huntin' grounds!!!! I'm jealous!!!!
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marinedad
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2010
Posts: 813
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Post by marinedad on Nov 18, 2015 8:48:22 GMT -5
your not the only one checking out the parking lot landscape gravels and rocks, welcome.
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Post by paulshiroma on Nov 18, 2015 8:52:53 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum, Steve! And yes, you're not alone in that comment. My wife requested the ability to put her car back in the garage. Had to clean it out last couple of weekends an dmove lots of rock ... LOL Good to meet you!
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Post by mohs on Nov 18, 2015 8:54:46 GMT -5
Welcome to RTH Steve! fun introduction
spending too much on rocks ha ha
that's a popular phrase around here which you’ll reach quickly just by posting
what part of Michigan?
this rock & rhythm is for Chuck
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Post by Jugglerguy on Nov 18, 2015 21:01:54 GMT -5
Hey Steve, welcome from Alpena, MI. Michigan is a great place for rock huntin'!
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sschus87
starting to shine!
Member since November 2015
Posts: 49
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Post by sschus87 on Nov 18, 2015 21:18:36 GMT -5
Thanks guys! It's good to know that I am not alone. Reading how many posts some of you have made indicates how addicting this hobby can me.
BTW, I live in Jackson, Michigan. I need to look for a local club to get active with and learn from...
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Post by Pat on Nov 18, 2015 21:48:49 GMT -5
Welcome from California. When your wife gets interested and can see what you can do with rocks, she won't mention the money. Maybe. : )
It's a great hobby. Enjoy!
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micellular
has rocks in the head
Rock fever is curable with more rocks.
Member since September 2015
Posts: 640
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Post by micellular on Nov 18, 2015 22:13:59 GMT -5
Haha Pat, I was gonna say that too. Get her hooked and she won't complain. As much. Or maybe you'll duel over who gets a turn. Welcome from California!
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Post by jakesrocks on Nov 18, 2015 22:28:12 GMT -5
Welcome to the funny farm of rock addicts Steve, from a South Dakota Rockahaulic.
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RockIt2Me
has rocks in the head
Sometimes I have to tell myself, "It's not worth the jail time."
Member since December 2009
Posts: 668
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Post by RockIt2Me on Nov 19, 2015 6:04:45 GMT -5
Welcome from the swamps of south Louisiana!
My husband wouldn't dare complain about the money I spend on rocks and equipment....he even encourages it. A happy wife makes for a happy husband.
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Post by ishotjohnsheriff on Nov 19, 2015 7:06:43 GMT -5
I too am scratching my head trying to figure out a way to get my darling wife to stop rolling her eyes every time I come in from the garage covered in Mineral oil or on the weekends covered in Red clay. She is from MI so maybe there is hope?
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 19, 2015 12:55:21 GMT -5
Welcome Steve-its a great forum!!!!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 19, 2015 12:56:32 GMT -5
Also welcome ishotjohnsheriff....................
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 19, 2015 12:57:53 GMT -5
LOL,looking at rocks before entering a business-try McDonald's in Sidney,Montana!!! I have found huge agates,Jaspers and petwood....Fist sized...
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2015 8:53:46 GMT -5
Greetings [sschus87] Steve firstly may i welcome you to RTH Forums from Bonnybridge, Scotland. Your Harbour Freight Tumbler if it's a one or two barreled rotary tumbler model, most of the component parts can be replaced with higher quality Lortone parts that can last several times longer than the HF parts Lortone 3A = 1x 3lb rubber barrel, Lortone 33B = 2x 3lb rubber barrels, most people here on RTH forums including me get our parts from The Rock Shed (SD) in Sticky #1 below. Please check out my Sticky's below. -- Please click images to open larger images in a new Tab, same with everything that is Underlined! I currently have a Lortone QT 12/66 (USA) rotary & 2x Viking Vibrasonic (Diamond Pacific) (USA) vibrating tumblers, with 2x 14lb hoppers using Silicon Carbide grit F80, F220, F600, F1200 and Tin Oxide (1.0 micron) or Aluminum Oxide (1.0 micron and 0.3 micron) polishes. I hail from (The Barony of Seabegs) Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, U.K, where aliens (15mb) sometimes come for a visit & about 4 miles west from that monstrosity & 7 miles west of this new monstrosity! Sticky's: their contents are resource information 1#: Vendors worldwide (2mb), 2#: How to use the forum, 3#: How to identify rocks & minerals, 4#: Save money on expensive grits & polishes, 5#: Aussie Lapidary Forum: Rock Tumbling Guide!
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Nov 30, 2015 15:17:48 GMT -5
Greetings from a fellow newbie! (Middle Georgia) Been a member for a couple of months. This has been the most fun forum - friendly, helpful folks willing to give advice, opinions and just plain conversation about a subject we all are interested in. A very encouraging group of people. Also a good place to purchase slabs and rough if you run out of drive ways and rock beds (see Sabre52). Enjoy. Don
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Post by krazydiamond on Dec 2, 2015 19:30:01 GMT -5
Welcome, Steve! Fair warning, you are on a slippery slope here. This hobby is addicting....and can get expensive.
KD
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