Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted November 28, 2023 Share Posted November 28, 2023 Any lapidarists in our midst? I know a family who has four little girls - ages about four to twelve. With Christmas on the horizon, I had a thought about a "collective" gift for them - a tumbler type rock polisher, thinking it might be something they could enjoy together. With that, thoughts and advice on how to pursue this without breaking the bank would be welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Joker Posted November 28, 2023 Share Posted November 28, 2023 This time of year tumble style polishers can be found at wally world, target and usually places like hobby lobby. They are entry level science kits to encourage kids to explore geology. Just pop rock tumbler into you googly thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted November 28, 2023 Share Posted November 28, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted November 28, 2023 Share Posted November 28, 2023 1 hour ago, Pat Riot said: That would be wódka. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted November 28, 2023 Share Posted November 28, 2023 1 hour ago, Pat Riot said: Wrong Thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgavin Posted November 28, 2023 Share Posted November 28, 2023 Harbor Freight? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted November 28, 2023 Share Posted November 28, 2023 3 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said: Wrong Thread No, it’s something for 4 little girls to do in their spare time…in Poland Believe it or not I found that searching for “rock polisher meme”. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted November 28, 2023 Share Posted November 28, 2023 7 hours ago, Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 said: , I had a thought about a "collective" gift for them - In my not so humble opinion "collective gifts" are a Bad Thing. Just as are most things collectivist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted November 28, 2023 Share Posted November 28, 2023 10 hours ago, Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 said: Any lapidarists in our midst? I know a family who has four little girls - ages about four to twelve. With Christmas on the horizon, I had a thought about a "collective" gift for them - a tumbler type rock polisher, thinking it might be something they could enjoy together. With that, thoughts and advice on how to pursue this without breaking the bank would be welcome. SDJ is right. One gift will be something to fight over. Take them and their mother to a mall. Each picks what they want, limit $20 or whatever. They will love Uncle Rocky forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted November 28, 2023 Share Posted November 28, 2023 I try to find something that makes gawd awful noise. Drum set tops the list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgavin Posted November 28, 2023 Share Posted November 28, 2023 Fill the grand kids with See's Candy... buy 'em a drum set.... send 'em home. Bag pipes are an option, but usually too pricey for this purpose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cholla Posted November 28, 2023 Share Posted November 28, 2023 Check out a Tumble Bee tumbler. If I remember correctly, they are made in the USA and are reasonably priced when compared to Lortone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted November 28, 2023 Share Posted November 28, 2023 4 hours ago, bgavin said: Fill the grand kids with See's Candy... buy 'em a drum set.... send 'em home. Bag pipes are an option, but usually too pricey for this purpose. You’ve gotta take out a second mortgage to buy any See’s candy now. What is it now, $40 a pound? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgavin Posted November 29, 2023 Share Posted November 29, 2023 Indeed. we are doing a fundraiser and it is $30 per pound. Glad I’m diabetic and can’t eat that expensive stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Devil Dale Posted November 29, 2023 Share Posted November 29, 2023 21 hours ago, Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 said: Any lapidarists in our midst? I know a family who has four little girls - ages about four to twelve. With Christmas on the horizon, I had a thought about a "collective" gift for them - a tumbler type rock polisher, thinking it might be something they could enjoy together. With that, thoughts and advice on how to pursue this without breaking the bank would be welcome. Harbor Freight has a tumbler that is actually quite good and durable. The media compounds can be found online pretty easily. I have bought many products from Kingsley North. They have good quality, but they can be pretty proud of some of their products, so shop the Internet. Many good introductory kits are out there and most have at least a starter batch of the several media compounds. Be aware that rock tumbling might try a young kid's patience. It usually takes 5 or 6 weeks to fully tumble rocks to high polish. If you dislike their parents, give them an expresso and a puppy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sawhorse Kid Posted November 29, 2023 Share Posted November 29, 2023 The collective gift is always tricky slope....but as a starting point . I know this to be a decent starting point ..... Interest = Upgrade https://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Hobby-Rock-Tumbler/dp/B01LQCIL88?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Harley, #14153 Posted November 29, 2023 Share Posted November 29, 2023 We used to have a rock tumbler when I was a kid. It was fun to take river rocks and see what they became. We learned the differences between sandstones (crumbles to dust) and quartz (barely rounds the crystals’ corners). The colors would often change in the polishing process, and we got to learn the “Why?” of that occurrence. I haven’t done it in years and have no advice towards equipment, but I think it’s a great gift idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Presidio Posted November 29, 2023 Share Posted November 29, 2023 19 hours ago, Warden Callaway said: I try to find something that makes gawd awful noise. Drum set tops the list. Be sure they're sent home with them kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finagler 6853 Life Posted November 29, 2023 Share Posted November 29, 2023 My wife is a rock hound. Loves her agates. I found a lapidary supply house, Kingsley North, that has all manner of tumblers, rocks, kits, polishing media, picks, hammers, etc. I had to buy her, her own Thumblers Tumbler model "B", the big one, as she was eyeing up my brass tumbler. We have one of those itty bitty toy tumblers we bought for the kids but it only holds a few rocks. I bought her one of the Harbor Freight vibratory tumblers but it shook itself apart. Lapidary, like CAS, if you really get into it is not a cheap hobby. I've been keeping my eye out for a rock/tile saw I can use to cut rocks apart. The grandkids do find it interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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