johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Feb 16, 2016 22:21:10 GMT -5
If you use borax in any of your stages that will kill grass and plants. I have a 2 ft diameter pit about a foot deep that I dump all of my waste water in and I clean it out a few times a year when it builds up with spent grit. I do not save any slurry from any of the stages. When I am tumbling 40 pounds of rock per week I go through about 15 gallons of waste water. Chuck Just curious, Chuck… why do you not save slurry? Do you get better results using fresh water? Once again, I'm running two, 3 pound barrels at a time. Maybe running 40 pounds a week is just too much slurry to save?
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Feb 16, 2016 21:06:04 GMT -5
Wow, I can't imagine tumbling 40 pounds per week. I do use Borax to clean rocks between stages and during the polish stage… thank you for that info. A small pit sounds like a great idea, thanks again!
John
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Feb 16, 2016 20:16:35 GMT -5
Hello all,
I save all of my slurry from each successful stage. However, I fill countless bucketfuls of waste water while rinsing and scrubbing the rocks between stages. I have been simply dumping the water in my backyard. Having just started tumbling this winter, I have no idea what this will do to my lawn/grass. Any info/advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, John
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Feb 15, 2016 23:25:28 GMT -5
johnnymac1969 I know exactly what you're talking about. This site is a great resource with great members who are will to help with even the most basic of questions. I have only been tumbling for about 2 months also and have learn so much just reading the boards, talking to members, and watching my rocks take shape. Patience is the optimum word. When you get a tumbler, there should be a sticker with "PATIENCE" printed real big on it to hang above your tumbler. Some of my friends and family ask why I spend the money and time tumbling rocks, and what I am going to do with them when they are finished. I don't really have a good answer and I don't really know honestly. All I really know is that I enjoy it and thats all that matters to me. Jake You're exactly right, Jake! We'll figure out what to do with our tumbled rocks when the time is right. But for now, we're just enjoying our new hobby. BTW… I'm also a Buckeye! O-H
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Feb 15, 2016 23:13:46 GMT -5
I feel your pain. I bought an inexpensive tumbler (made out of blow-molded plastic) for my daughter this Christmas. It lasted about a month before it started to break apart. I have since invested in a Lortone 33B and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. If it's within your budget, I would also recommend buying at least 2 more barrels, one for each stage of grit/polish.
Good luck and happy tumbling!
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Feb 15, 2016 21:58:31 GMT -5
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Feb 15, 2016 19:47:29 GMT -5
Thanks Fossilman, that means a lot coming from you!!!
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Feb 15, 2016 19:24:57 GMT -5
Hello all, Here are some of the rocks from our first tumble. They are much shinier in person, I will have to work on my picture/lighting techniques. JohnnyMac
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Feb 15, 2016 17:44:31 GMT -5
Just testing to see if I finally figured out how to post pics to this site. My initial set-up before I actually started tumbling (about 2 months ago).
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Feb 13, 2016 21:16:58 GMT -5
Hello all,
My 8 year old daughter and I are new to the "art" of rock tumbling. After over 2 months of tumbling rocks in a Lortone 33B, we have learned so much. This site and its' members have given us so much valuable information! Our first batch of tumbled rocks turned out SOOO pretty and shiny!!!
All of that being said, the newcomers to this hobby should not be overwhelmed by the posts on this site. i know, they can be quite intimidating. it's a huge learning curve. For beginners, like me, just have enough patience to make your rocks shine. Don't worry about what to "make" of your stones, just enjoy the process.
My daughter and I have learned the art of patience.
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Feb 6, 2016 19:04:36 GMT -5
johnnymac1969 DON'T use a bench grinder. The bearings will get chewed up by the rock dust. More importantly the dust, when breathed, WILL cause health issues. A tile saw is a good option for going in on the cheap. That's what I did with my limited budget. You can cut rocks with it or grind them using the edge of the blade. Thanks for the good info and advice!
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Feb 6, 2016 15:36:37 GMT -5
After almost 2 months in Stage 1 (rotary tumbler), I still have some rocks that have pits, vugs, etc. I can't afford a rock saw and I'm not a DIYer. I'm wondering if a typical Bench Grinder, like the ones they sell at Sears, Home Depot, etc, could do the job of removing unwanted flaws on rocks? Or could an inexpensive Tile Saw work?
I'm not looking to cut slabs, just want to speed up the Stage 1 process by getting rid of pits before I even start tumbling.
Thanks!
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Jan 22, 2016 17:08:26 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies/info everyone. Like others have mentioned, I think I was using too much grit. But it's odd that Lortone's own manual calls for 4tbsps of grit for a 3lb barrel.
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Jan 20, 2016 10:03:06 GMT -5
Yes, running it 24/7.
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Jan 20, 2016 1:58:23 GMT -5
Hello all,
First off, I am extremely new to tumbling (about 2 months). After buying my daughter a "toy" plastic tumbler for Christmas, I quickly realized that we needed something better. I bought the Lortone 33B about a month ago and all was good for about two weeks. Now, all of the sudden, the grit is settling on the bottom after only one day. This has been going on for two weeks now. I have tried using less water, more water, less grit, more grit, etc. We are still in Stage 1 with both barrels and are using 80 grit, a balanced load and ceramic pellets for filler.
Any advice and/or info would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, John
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Jan 9, 2016 10:03:00 GMT -5
I am just a few weeks into my rock tumbling experience after buying my daughter a Lortone 33B for Christmas. My question/concern for today is this… will the nylon washer (on the opposite end of the motor) eventually wear out due to the constant rubbing from the barrel's washer? It is secured by a rivet, not a screw. If and when it does wear down, how would I replace it? Thanks for any info/advice in advance!
I tried attaching a pic, but it kept telling me the file was too big. Any help with that would also be appreciated!
Thanks, John
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Jan 8, 2016 15:59:45 GMT -5
Any takers yet? If not, my 8 year old daughter would be thrilled to get those rocks!
Thanks, John
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Jan 5, 2016 16:02:05 GMT -5
Hello all,
My 8yo daughter has been finding and collecting rocks and fossils ever since she was 2. This Christmas I bought her a $50 "toy" tumbler and it was her favorite gift! However, I felt like we could do better. Long story short, we are now the proud owners of the Lortone 33B tumbler! We found a relatively close rock shop and have gone "all in". My wife is not very happy with all of the money I have spent on our new hobby. Here is what I have purchased so far:
- Lortone 33B… $140 - Rough rocks… $40 - Grit/Polish… $40 - Extra barrel… $40 (for Polishing stage) - Media… $35 (Ceramic pellets & plastic beads) - 2 books… $50 ("Modern Rock Tumbling" & "Gemstones of the World")
I have learned much in just the two weeks or so since we began, but I would love to learn more! Please feel free to give any advice, info, etc. on what a beginner should know. And also, thoughts onwhat other equipment, etc. I should purchase in the future.
Thank you,
John
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