penguinrocks
starting to shine!
Member since August 2022
Posts: 36
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Post by penguinrocks on Aug 24, 2022 22:45:38 GMT -5
Hi All! I'm working on my first tumble - just finished first week of rough and have been searching this forum for lots of tips and advice I've been interested in rockhounding for a while, and planned half a trip a few years ago where we did some fee digs (topaz, opal), as well as free digs (garnets). I live in the SF Bay Area but just drove up from a visit to southern California a few weeks ago where we did a fee dig in Pala, and then stopped along the I-5 in the Panoche hills to see what we could find (based on looking through this forum for places to go!). Really new to looking for anything like agates or jaspers so I still have no idea what I'm doing but looking forward to learning more! Just applied to my local gem/mineral club last weekend too so hopefully will learn to cab! I was super excited to see results after my first week of coarse tumbling below. No idea how well these will turn out but am enjoying the process
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Post by liveoak on Aug 29, 2022 6:12:41 GMT -5
I'm not a tumbler, but if you post on the Rock Tumbling sub-forum, there are lots of knowledgeable people that like to help.
Patty
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 2,572
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Post by rockbrain on Aug 29, 2022 8:54:15 GMT -5
Welcome from Central California. Most of that stuff looks like it should tumble well. The second batch looks very familiar. I've gone to a spot on I5 a few times known as "Area 54" Close to where Highway 165 hits the 5. That looks like a lot of what is found there.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Aug 29, 2022 9:01:22 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona!
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penguinrocks
starting to shine!
Member since August 2022
Posts: 36
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Post by penguinrocks on Aug 29, 2022 11:23:45 GMT -5
Welcome from Central California. Most of that stuff looks like it should tumble well. The second batch looks very familiar. I've gone to a spot on I5 a few times known as "Area 54" Close to where Highway 165 hits the 5. That looks like a lot of what is found there. Yes! It was around that area though I just read you are not supposed to go there anymore?
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 2,572
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Post by rockbrain on Aug 29, 2022 11:30:54 GMT -5
Welcome from Central California. Most of that stuff looks like it should tumble well. The second batch looks very familiar. I've gone to a spot on I5 a few times known as "Area 54" Close to where Highway 165 hits the 5. That looks like a lot of what is found there. Yes! It was around that area though I just read you are not supposed to go there anymore? The actual area 54 is apparently private property now. I've probably been in there a half a dozen times with my vehicle. I've been down in the Central pit part of it. I've also been up on the orchard roads on the edge multiple times. I've seen workers and said hi to them a few times. I've never had any indication from anyone that I shouldn't be there. It was about the second to the last time that I went out that I got a hunting map app that shows everyone's property. That shows up as private property on there. All the maps I had seen in the past show it as BLM land. So it does look like someone has purchased it. So yes, you're probably correct, you're probably not supposed to be down in there. There are lots of surrounding area and there's stuff all around there. I had that app on a trial basis, I was thinking about getting it again as they have contact information for landowners on there. It looks like some big ranch bought it up. There's a house right there in the area that I've been up real close to but never seen anyone there. I think it's probably just one of the workers stays there though. So basically to recap, I've been in there at least a half a dozen times with my vehicle after it was private property without knowing.
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penguinrocks
starting to shine!
Member since August 2022
Posts: 36
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Post by penguinrocks on Aug 29, 2022 11:41:55 GMT -5
Yes! It was around that area though I just read you are not supposed to go there anymore? Ah ok. That's too bad and I didn't realize it when I was there. I guess I will have to check better next time. Its quite a drive for me anyway so I probably won't be back down the 5 for a while, though I wish there was more places to look for rocks closer to where I live....
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Post by Starguy on Aug 29, 2022 12:34:36 GMT -5
Good progress penguinrocksIt looks like you are working on some nice material. Looking forward to seeing some photos of shiny rocks. Welcome to RTH from Idaho.
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Post by jasoninsd on Aug 29, 2022 15:15:57 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota! It looks like you are getting a really good start on the tumble!!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2022 16:09:09 GMT -5
Hi from Illinois! Those are looking good! Can’t wait to see them finished! What equipment and grit are you using?
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penguinrocks
starting to shine!
Member since August 2022
Posts: 36
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Post by penguinrocks on Aug 29, 2022 20:23:41 GMT -5
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! Hi from Illinois! Those are looking good! Can’t wait to see them finished! What equipment and grit are you using? I can't wait either! Or rather I will... lol waiting is hard. I'm starting with 2 three lb barrels in a cheapo harbor freight tumbler, plus a Thumler's 12lb tumbler that I didn't show any pics of yet. Will take some pics once I open up the barrels again. Right now course grit is just some 46/70 I got from rock shed and some 60/90 grit I got from polly plastics. I've been googling this forum a lot and those came up at some point
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2022 20:30:49 GMT -5
Awesome! Yes, the rock shed is the way to go with grit. You won’t be disappointed.
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