Rock Tumblers

C.bronco · Sep 14, 2010

All I know is I had an uncle who went on rock excavations and brought goodies back fo all. They are pretty cool, though. The rocks certainly come out smooth!

Pyrohawk · Sep 14, 2010

I have used a lot of rock tumblers.... but never for the purpous of tumbling rocks lol!! I'm actually an amateur pyrotechnic when I'm not away at college. We use rock tumblers to mill black powder, just one of the processes involved in turning the original chemicals into our favorite propellant!

So I'm afraid my help will be limited. But I do know that I have had some that burn out after very little use and can't handle a lot of weight or continuous running before the belt snaps. I recomend removing the belt they give you and instead get some industrial, very thick, rubber bands and supplementing them for the belt. They will break after about 48-72 hours of continous running. The standard belts will slip if you put a heavy load in the tumbler and it won't rotate very fast.

I recomend going to your local Harbor Freight. They sell a fantastic model that will last for a very long time, can handle bigger jobs and will only set you back about 40 bucks if memory serves me correctly.

Deleted member 42 · Sep 14, 2010

I'm getting all nostalgic, now.

My mom got my Dad his first tumbler when I was four, and he got his Ph.D.

We would pick up rocks as kids, as a family thing, going to agate-rich beaches, or quarries known for quartz, or rivers with alluvial agate, jasper, and quartz.

It was enormously fun, and very much a family activity. I still have some of the rocks from the first attempt or so.

backslashbaby · Sep 14, 2010

That is so cool!

I have buckets of stones out in my shed. I love rock-hounding, and NC has some awesome places to find stuff (the biggest emerald in the US, just recently, AAMOF). Over the years, I've collected a bunch of stuff, but I've never polished it all up.

I love the agates and jaspers, etc. So cool! I think I'll ask for a sculptor/carver's set for Xmas.

Izz · Sep 15, 2010

Pyrohawk said:
So I'm afraid my help will be limited. But I do know that I have had some that burn out after very little use and can't handle a lot of weight or continuous running before the belt snaps. I recomend removing the belt they give you and instead get some industrial, very thick, rubber bands and supplementing them for the belt. They will break after about 48-72 hours of continous running. The standard belts will slip if you put a heavy load in the tumbler and it won't rotate very fast.

I recomend going to your local Harbor Freight. They sell a fantastic model that will last for a very long time, can handle bigger jobs and will only set you back about 40 bucks if memory serves me correctly.

Thanks for the advice *makes more notes* Unfortunately, Harbor Freight hasn't set up shop down my part of the world, and they only ship within the US. But i've had a look at their models and will see if i can hunt down something similar here.

Medievalist said:
I'm getting all nostalgic, now.

My mom got my Dad his first tumbler when I was four, and he got his Ph.D.

We would pick up rocks as kids, as a family thing, going to agate-rich beaches, or quarries known for quartz, or rivers with alluvial agate, jasper, and quartz.

It was enormously fun, and very much a family activity. I still have some of the rocks from the first attempt or so.

Lisa

backslashbaby said:
I love rock-hounding, and NC has some awesome places to find stuff (the biggest emerald in the US, just recently, AAMOF).

*makes mental note to teleport to NC once he discovers teleportation, which should be the day after tomorrow if the future me who visited the other night wasn't lying--apparently i discover time travel too, but that takes a lot longer and seriously messes with my tenses*

I love the agates and jaspers, etc. So cool! I think I'll ask for a sculptor/carver's set for Xmas.

Oooh... Fun.

backslashbaby · Sep 15, 2010

Come teleport, yes!

Check it out:

65 carats, baby

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/08/31/national/main6823004.shtml

I have emeralds from hounding there. *Ahem* not so big or clear, though

Fenika · Sep 15, 2010

How does one grind by 'hand'? I've got a dremel here, and a circular grinder. And tons of rocks with a quartz-like core to practice on. I'd prolly just take off a finger though!

backslashbaby said:
That is so cool!

I have buckets of stones out in my shed. I love rock-hounding, and NC has some awesome places to find stuff (the biggest emerald in the US, just recently, AAMOF). Over the years, I've collected a bunch of stuff, but I've never polished it all up.

I love the agates and jaspers, etc. So cool! I think I'll ask for a sculptor/carver's set for Xmas.

Oh, oh, oh. If I do get the rock tumbler, you should bring those over just so I can see what you end up with

Plus, please let me know where those places are!

backslashbaby said:
Come teleport, yes!

Check it out:

65 carats, baby

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/08/31/national/main6823004.shtml

I have emeralds from hounding there. *Ahem* not so big or clear, though

Wowza.

Izz · Sep 15, 2010

backslashbaby said:
65 carats, baby

SHINY! NOM!

Fenika · Sep 15, 2010

That is a rock you don't wanna smuggle via the intestines.

Caitlin Black · Sep 16, 2010

Wait? Those things are worth money? We have tonnes of 'em in boulder form over here! Why was I not informed I could make a profit on those pesky Emerald boulders?!

/sarcasm

Rock Tumblers

C.bronco

I have plans...

Pyrohawk

Aspiring author

Deleted member 42

backslashbaby

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Izz

Doing the Space Operatic

backslashbaby

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Fenika

Izz

Doing the Space Operatic

Fenika

Caitlin Black

Wild one

Rock Tumblers

I have plans...

Aspiring author

Deleted member 42

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Doing the Space Operatic

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Doing the Space Operatic

Wild one

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