Collecting Cool Rocks! Minerals, Crystals, Fossils, Geodes, etc.

[R2elk]

I was just looking at the harbor freight online. I was wondering if it was any good. So thank you!

Currently out of stock but this is the one that I got.
Lortone 3A

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Currently out of stock but this is the one that I got.
Lortone 3A

Nice, all of the Lortone models seem to come pretty highly recommend. How long have you had yours? I'm just curious, someone said they were running their Lortone for like 10 years!

 

[R2elk]

Nice, all of the Lortone models seem to come pretty highly recommend. How long have you had yours? I'm just curious, someone said they were running their Lortone for like 10 years!

I got mine in February this year. I picked it based on the reviews and recommendations of online rating services.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Wish we had fossils and not just shells!

You should be able to find some.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

You should be able to find some.

I'll look in some rock piles. Maybe I'll find something in there?!

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I'll look in some rock piles. Maybe I'll find something in there?!

What kind of fossils are you hoping to find? If you Google for areas to find fossils near you there are sometimes even maps of where to go. There's a place called Shark Tooth Island near me that pops up at the top of searches for my area because it's abundant and they do guided fossil hunts. So that's another option, looking for a guide or group local to you that might be willing to take you out and show you where to look locally.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

What kind of fossils are you hoping to find? If you Google for areas to find fossils near you there are sometimes even maps of where to go. There's a place called Shark Tooth Island near me that pops up at the top of searches for my area because it's abundant and they do guided fossil hunts. So that's another option, looking for a guide or group local to you that might be willing to take you out and show you where to look locally.

Like fossilized fish or something. I did going weird tiny fossilized square things.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I'll look in some rock piles. Maybe I'll find something in there?!

I find lots in rocks.

 

[janiedoe]

I read this article and I want to try this before buying any equipment. What do you all think.
https://sciencing.com/polish-rocks-gems-rock-tumbler-8164627.html
Pic for attention (my rock spotting buddy. His name is Pants brother to Trousers.)

And our favorite rock (it looks like a Brach's candy) from our morning walk...

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I read this article and I want to try this before buying any equipment. What do you all think.
https://sciencing.com/polish-rocks-gems-rock-tumbler-8164627.html
Pic for attention (my rock spotting buddy. His name is Pants brother to Trousers.)
View attachment 2465035
And our favorite rock (it looks like a Brach's candy) from our morning walk...
View attachment 2465041

Pants and Trousers, lol!!!

Dremel is a handy tool for carving and even small amounts of polishing. They do create a good bit of dust because they aren't wet tools so keep that in mind. There are hand polishing cloths and sponges that would be easier for getting a polish by hand. That's the method I would use for hand polishing because it's already much more work, I would at least want the appropriate grits. When I'm using my tumbler I will sometimes rub a stone on my pants vigorously at stage 3 to see if it's ready for the final polishing stage. I won't lie, it takes quite a lot just to get a minor polish on my pants leg, lol. It's not something I would make a habit of doing but yes, it can work.