firstrune
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2009
Posts: 156
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Post by firstrune on Jan 1, 2009 12:27:38 GMT -5
Hello, I'm new here and brand new to rock tumbling. My husband and I own a large farm in northwest Missouri and I began collecting rocks from around the farm a couple of years ago. Not having any equipment to take them further than their found stage, most of them enjoy a home in my butterfly gardens. However, after my 1, 577th rendition of "If I only had a rock tumbler.." ;D my husband gave in and gave me one for Christmas this year! He purchased the tumbler from The Rock Shed along with some starting supplies. I must add a plug herein for The Rock Shed, they were very friendly and very helpful, even going so far as to ship in a generic box and cutting the shipping label off so that I wouldn't know what it was given that it was likely I'd be home when it was delivered. I found that rather frustrating but my husband was delighted. ;D And they also sent candy! My next purchase was the book, Modern Rock Tumbling, by Steve Hart. It was shipped VERY quickly and I just as quickly gobbled up all the great information in it. It's very informative and well written for the layman. My husband was very thankful for Mr. Hart's warnings concerning rinsing your rock in the kitchen sink, complete with a picture of an elbow drain which had suffered that particular malady. My husband made a point of making sure I looked at the picture. Thank you Mr. Hart, you probably saved us thousands in drain repairs.. The tumbler my husband gave me is the Thumler's AR-2, which to my inexperienced eye looks like a very well made machine. I have not yet tumbled any rocks as I need to make preparations for that, including a workspace, containers, etc. I'm also trying to work through the problems of the rock rinses, which it seems are best done outside, and that can be problematic in the winter months in Missouri. I'm very enthused about being a part of this forum, it seems there are so many experienced, knowledgeable and helpful members here. I'll try not to ask too many questions! For a little more about me, I'm married to a wonderful man who is Active Duty Military in the Air Force. We moved from Arizona to Missouri in 1993, and together we raise Miniature horses. Along with what is very likely to be a well loved hobby of rock tumbling, I also love to read, garden, take long walks with my beloved dogs, and cart around with some of our trained harness horses. Again, thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this forum and the opportunity to learn. I promise to try to keep the questions to a minimum and I'll certainly share the progress of my very first batch of rocks. Bonnie
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uneekarts
starting to shine!
Member since December 2008
Posts: 42
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Post by uneekarts on Jan 1, 2009 13:17:52 GMT -5
I am new here as well and I welcome you and congratulate you on your successful 1,578th rendition. I've been eyeballing that AR-2 myself. Let me know how it works for you?
Maybe you can get a large pan or 5 gallon plastic bucket to do the cleaning in the house so you don't freeze your hands off?
Good luck with the first batch and keep us posted on the results.
doc
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Jan 1, 2009 13:23:20 GMT -5
Welcome to the board, you will meet a lot of good people here. The 5 gal bucket uneekarts mentioned is the way to go. Washing outside is a problem in Canada too. Be sure to post lots of pictures.
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Post by frane on Jan 1, 2009 15:32:51 GMT -5
Welcome to the board! Maybe I can share what I do for the winter months in order to keep my tumblers going; You will need 2 cheap buckets, 2 fish aquarium nets, a dollar store oil funnel ( I remove the long spout) and several empty milk jugs, etc. When rinsing the stones, gently pour stones into the fish net over the funnel that is in a milk jug. have a jug of water close by. Pour a little water into the tumbler barrel and swish around. Pour over the stones in the fish net. Transfer the net with rocks into one of the buckets (forgot to mention, have water in this bucket) and swish around to rinse. Pull rocks out of net a few at a time, while still in the water. Pull out and set aside in a container. Once you have removed all rocks from the water, dip barrel into the bucket of water and wash. Paper towel dry and refill with rocks, water and grit. When you get to the final stage, before polish, do the same as before, only run the stones through a borax wash after you rinse. After the borax wash, use the polish only fish net and the other bucket for a final rince before going into a polish only barrel. It is so much easier when you can rinse them outside but this works during the winter months. Just recap milk jugs when full and put in the garbage. At least it keeps me going. Hope this helps. Fran
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firstrune
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2009
Posts: 156
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Post by firstrune on Jan 1, 2009 20:44:56 GMT -5
Thank you so much to all for the nice welcome! Uneekarts, I searched around the garage and barn and found a couple of buckets I think will work well for rinsing in the house. Fran, thank you for your great suggestions, I'll put them to use. I'm lacking fish nets and a funnel but can readily buy those locally. So that obstacle is much closer to being overcome. Saskrock, thank you for the welcome, I have been browsing the board and it appears to be a very friendly group. I will post pictures of my first batch's progress, it should be interesting. Uneekarts, I'll let you know how the tumbler works out for me, I can't really judge it as I have nothing else to compare it to, this will be my first tumbler, but I do like the looks of it.
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chinook203
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2006
Posts: 849
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Post by chinook203 on Feb 4, 2009 22:56:51 GMT -5
Hi firstrune! I know, a bit late, but still wanted to welcome you here, it's a great group. Welcome to RTH from another Missourian!
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rockwizz
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2007
Posts: 971
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Post by rockwizz on Feb 6, 2009 13:43:16 GMT -5
Welcome. Hope your experience with the board and its members is as great as mine. I have really learned a lot from everyone here, and everyone is so willing to share.
Let me know if you want to trade some rocks!!!
Rockwizz
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Mudshark
fully equipped rock polisher
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,083
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Post by Mudshark on Feb 6, 2009 18:17:44 GMT -5
Hi, welcome to the board!!!Anything you want to know is yours for the asking.Lots of great people here. Mike
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