es355lucille
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2016
Posts: 194
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Post by es355lucille on Feb 15, 2016 2:22:25 GMT -5
Hi Everyone!
Rock tumbling is something my wife and I have always wanted to do when we were kids. Well, we had three boys and that seems to put life in a new direction. Now that all the kids are now gone from home (Whoot!) we were thinking that its time to give this a go. We love rock hunting.....my wife is an artist and does a lot of painting.....I love photography......so we would like to get into this as a hobby. I have been reading a few of your threads at night and am finding them very interesting! You guys do some great work!
What would be the best resource book or site for a beginner? (besides here) Process? material hardness, materials needed for tumbler etc.
I would like a good tumbler/saw that will last a few years. Any suggestions on make and model? I realize that in any hobby there are the cheap to ultra expensive models. I am looking for a good quality unit so that I don't have to repurchase in a short while. The only brand name I have seen in Canada around me is Lortone, but I know nothing of the product(s).
Thanks in advance for any help or direction you can send me!
Brad
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 15, 2016 9:41:20 GMT -5
Welcome and yes "Lortone" is the name to stick with on tumblers...They run forever!!! As for rock saws,there are many out there,depending on what you are looking for.... If your going small,the "Little Rascal" 6 inch saw is good.....
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 15, 2016 9:44:57 GMT -5
This will help you understand more of certain products...This is a great Company to buy from too.... As always do your homework and shop around... www.kingsleynorth.com/
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es355lucille
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2016
Posts: 194
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Post by es355lucille on Feb 15, 2016 12:13:29 GMT -5
Welcome and yes "Lortone" is the name to stick with on tumblers...They run forever!!! As for rock saws,there are many out there,depending on what you are looking for.... If your going small,the "Little Rascal" 6 inch saw is good..... Thanks Fossilman! I had a look around on that site you gave me......I have not located that saw. Great site, thank you.
fossilman is there a place on this board for "Equipment"? I will go searching again. I was using my ipad earlier and I don't think I could see all the topic areas.
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Post by snowmom on Mar 4, 2016 7:06:59 GMT -5
rocktumbler.com/tips/rotary-and-vibratory-rock-tumblers-explained/ actually, you are at the best site to learn rock tumbling right here on this forum. If there is a place with more information and more helpful members, i don't know of it... the search feature should turn up a lot of general information on getting started in tumbling. Welcome to the boards!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 4, 2016 12:41:38 GMT -5
As D said,this forum has everything you could possibly want to know on Lapidary....Thumbs up
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bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719
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Post by bushmanbilly on Mar 4, 2016 13:52:57 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from Sask. If your looking for a used saw you can try Greens rockshop in Calgary. As Fossilman said, this place is better than any book you can buy.
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es355lucille
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2016
Posts: 194
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Post by es355lucille on Mar 4, 2016 14:02:18 GMT -5
rocktumbler.com/tips/rotary-and-vibratory-rock-tumblers-explained/ actually, you are at the best site to learn rock tumbling right here on this forum. If there is a place with more information and more helpful members, i don't know of it... the search feature should turn up a lot of general information on getting started in tumbling. Welcome to the boards!
Thanks! I appreciate the help!
Brad
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es355lucille
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2016
Posts: 194
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Post by es355lucille on Mar 4, 2016 14:08:44 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from Sask. If your looking for a used saw you can try Greens rockshop in Calgary. As Fossilman said, this place is better than any book you can buy.
Thanks, yes I checked out Greens only online. I did check out Ken's Gems Supplies in Calgary......lots of lapidary equipment in that place.
Hey are you buying rough in Canada or just hounding? I ordered some rough from Stonebridge in Ontario.......but I thought there would be more places in BC, closer to me here.
Where in SK are you close to? I am west of Calgary towards the mountains.
Brad
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bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719
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Post by bushmanbilly on Mar 4, 2016 14:32:35 GMT -5
You will have to phone greens about their used equipment. I bought a used Franton from them a few years back. I think I payed $400 for it.
I buy most of my rough from people on this forum. I believe its better to buy from the source that from a 3rd party in Canada.
Lots of good places in BC to hunt. If your west of Calgary. Kamloops would be a good place to start. I have a old Rock Hounding BC book from 1973 that I will scan and post here soon. Plus a Minerals Of Alberta paperback from the 70's.
I'm just a stones throw across the border in Kindersley.
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es355lucille
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2016
Posts: 194
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Post by es355lucille on Mar 4, 2016 15:15:19 GMT -5
You will have to phone greens about their used equipment. I bought a used Franton from them a few years back. I think I payed $400 for it. I buy most of my rough from people on this forum. I believe its better to buy from the source that from a 3rd party in Canada. Lots of good places in BC to hunt. If your west of Calgary. Kamloops would be a good place to start. I have a old Rock Hounding BC book from 1973 that I will scan and post here soon. Plus a Minerals Of Alberta paperback from the 70's. I'm just a stones throw across the border in Kindersley.
Hey Thanks! I contacted Greens for a listing of their used equipment. I would like a rock saw 16" or better.....if I can find a good deal. I did find a guy with a Park Royal made in Portland Oregon that is an older saw.......otherwise the new stuff is pretty pricey.
I will definitely have to check out Kamloops online as well to see what creeks, rivers etc.
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bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719
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Post by bushmanbilly on Mar 4, 2016 16:00:29 GMT -5
Buy the old one. They are built to last. Even if you have to replace the bearings its still better than a new one.
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es355lucille
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2016
Posts: 194
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Post by es355lucille on Mar 4, 2016 17:13:32 GMT -5
Buy the old one. They are built to last. Even if you have to replace the bearings its still better than a new one.
Thanks for the advice!
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