Tumbling Lake Superior Rocks from Last Summer

[@NurseMickiLea]

The evolution of the rock and the beard at the same time😁♥️

[@MichiganRocks]

That wasn't an accident. There are better videos featuring the beard on the way.

[@NurseMickiLea]

Michigan Rocks the daily growth time lapse of beard growth the the last epic shot clean shaven for summer😅

[@wantsacobra]

Lol was thinking same 😁

[@genagogo6157]

Michigan Rocks do you have instagram account or facebook

[@NeoRipshaft]

Me: _"Ugh I should really go to bed..."_ KZbin: "Want to see a man grow a beard while rocks get shiny?!" Me: _"DO I!?"_

[@MichiganRocks]

Of course you do. Check around to see if you can find any paint to observe while it dries while you're at it.

[@namiesnaturals3557]

I need ear muffs, its snowey & cold out lol.

[@LindaSmith-vq1br]

Some of those scraps would make great jewelry. Someday I will own a tumbler and do this. You have firmed my resolve to do this. Thanks!

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome. Or possibly, I'm sorry.

[@LindaSmith-vq1br]

Michigan Rocks yes, both!

[@lindseyo8739]

He should give/sell you his small scraps for jewelry. Not sure what his plan is for all his small ones. But seems like a great way to put use to his scraps and allow you to make your jewelry. No need for you to go through the huge process of tumbling and investing in all the supplies. Reduce, reuse, recycle/upcycle! We are in this together and let’s work together!

[@LindaSmith-vq1br]

Lindsey O I appreciate the support. But honestly I do not want him to give me stuff. He has a great collection and I admire it. It does fire my imagination. But I am capable of finding stones to make jewelry with on my own. Thanks for the vote of confidence though!

[@MichiganRocks]

@@lindseyo8739 I did send a box of scraps to someone who makes jewelry once. Lately, I've been making little animations with them. There have been a couple of my animations in a couple videos, but I can't remember which ones right now.

[@maryanncuccio3705]

It always amazes me how beautiful the natural world is. These rocks are so full of colors. Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.

[@MichiganRocks]

God does good work, doesn't he? Thanks for watching.

[@merryhunt9153]

Those are lovely. What interesting and beautiful rocks you have up there on the Canadian shield!

[@MichiganRocks]

We do have some amazing rocks up here. I’m not sure that the area I found these in is considered to be part of the Canadian Shield though. These were mostly found in the eastern U.P. According to the map I just looked at, the Canadian Shield starts on the other side of the lake. I could be totally wrong though. Some of the rocks, on the other hand, would have definitely come from the Canadian Shield, so you still make an excellent point.

[@michelleangers342]

To me, they are all absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for showing us! Hope you are happy, well and safe! Hugs to you and yours from Windsor, Ontario.

[@MichiganRocks]

We are doing well here. I’m glad you enjoyed the rocks.

[@AgateAngler]

Nice to see your process for tumbling. I'm still wrapping my mind around it. Cheers Man!

[@MichiganRocks]

Have you watched my long video about tumbling Mexican crazy lace agate? That video shows my process in much more detail.

[@ruthsawyer3357]

Fascinating really all your stones turned up lovely amazing. Thanks for showing your lovely video.

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@kristiejacobs4854]

That mottled purple and red is gorgeous! So many unique stones!

[@MichiganRocks]

It's so much fun picking your own rocks to tumble. Sometimes a rock or two doesn't shine up, but most do. It's fun to see how they change.

[@ridgerunner66]

Great video with some beautiful rocks. Never tire of seeing them. Thanks for sharing. Davin

[@easterazali9237]

They’re all gorgeous ! ❤️ them . Thank you so much for showing us these treasures 😊

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome!

[@sherryjohnson4090]

The Epidote is now tied with Malachite as my favorite stones. Great pieces!

[@MichiganRocks]

If you have any malachite, I'll trade epidote for it anytime. I like epidote a lot, but malachite is incredible.

[@storytimewithunclebill1998]

Those cans out amazing. The variety, color, and patterns were really cool. Was fun to watch. Great video

[@manisteerocks7092]

Excellent!!!...the unakite and Jasper are phenomenal!!..I must get one of those lottos!..well done boss!

[@MichiganRocks]

The Lot-O is a great machine.

[@SustenanceNCovering]

Thank You!

[@christopher-tipstrumleslie6307]

I love your show man. Just so very tasteful, you know? Taste is everything. If you've been taught to taste you are special, and so is your teacher. If only more of the wise would get involved. Save Our Children! Please!

[@patriciawilliams4314]

Very informative, and I really like the stills at the end of the video. Beautiful work.

[@MichiganRocks]

Thank you very much!

[@NurseMickiLea]

So many ideas go through my head with a small drill hole and some beading wire for those beautiful little scrap stones. Earrings, necklaces etc... Thanks for sharing♥️

[@MichiganRocks]

If only those thoughts went through my head, huh? I really don't have huge urges to make jewelry.

[@georginabuziak5110]

Love the show and tells.......I'm always up for lookin at cool rocks!!!! I have to say some of my favorites in your collections are the Epidotes.....just that shade of green is gorgeous!!!!

[@MichiganRocks]

That's funny that those are your favorites. I've tumbled so much epidote that I guess I take it for granted. It is pretty though.

[@reginacarr4633]

Wow!!! Lots of those are truly stunning and unusual to look at!! The color combinations and patterns are wonderful and unique!! (And I learned a few things!!!). Thanks for sharing!!

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@namiesnaturals3557]

Thanks , rocks r beautiful.

[@janecormie5410]

You are so good at judging when they will be done. Patience’s is a good thing.

[@MichiganRocks]

The judging isn't difficult. It's not saying, "ah, that's good enough" that's tough.

[@carolyns9687]

Love the ryoloite!!!!! I am so envious you know what the rocks are!!! I just think..look.. that's pretty!! Lol!! Stay healthy & stay safe!!

[@MichiganRocks]

That was a really nice one, wasn't it?

[@linabaliashvili2495]

Amazing collection,looks very shiny,well done!!! Always thank you for shearing...

[@MichiganRocks]

Glad you liked them, Lina.

[@CityRockhounding]

I like watching your beard grow through these videos! Really cool rocks, thanks for showing how you tumble and process!

[@Dermot40]

Great looking batch.

[@MichiganRocks]

Thank you.

[@debzyj376]

Love the variety of rocks and sizes so B~E~A~U~T~I~F~U~L. Thank you....Enjoyed .

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks for watching!

[@claudiac6886]

The cross scraps would look great in an aquarium! Very nice! Thank you 😊

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't have an aquarium, but I did give some to someone who does crafts once. She was very happy to receive them. I have also made a few little animations in some of my videos using them.

[@johnbaenen5386]

Great job. Cannot wait for the snow to melt. Need to get my rock fix. Getting board watching Tumblr go round and round and round.

[@MichiganRocks]

I know how you feel. The end is near.

[@ReclusiveMountainMan]

amazing results with the polishing. Rocks look great.

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks!

[@Lostmyrocks]

Absolutely great rocks... cant even choose a favorite. When i think i have, boom i love that one also...

[@MichiganRocks]

No need to pick a favorite, you're allowed to like a bunch of them.

[@KatyDidRocks]

So pretty! I have to admit, when you went from clean-shaven to bearded wild man, I laughed. Thanks for the video, Rob. :)

[@MichiganRocks]

There are even better beard videos in the works. Stay tuned.

[@KatyDidRocks]

@@MichiganRocks :) You know I will. Stay safe!

[@brendamariatuazon7444]

Every one of those scraps are nice beautiful, i wish someday got one or more scraps like that.,. Thanks for youre amizing video.

[@MichiganRocks]

Lake Superior has some really pretty rocks.

[@s0nnyburnett]

My friend here is a real rock hound. These are some of his favorite minerals. Wish you didn't have to move away buddy.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm sorry you and your friend are going to be separated.

[@kevinburgess6112]

thank you so much for taking the time and sharing, enjoyed the video very much 👍👍

[@MichiganRocks]

You’re welcome!

[@jneihart2]

You can take all the time you want..... thoroughly enjoyable videos!

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks, I'm glad I didn't bore you.

[@cindyrhodes7393]

There all so pretty .. The green ones with other colors are my favorite.. You make me want to go look for rocks but i dont have a tumbler to polish so that stops .. Thank y and u for sharing ..stay healthy ...🥰

[@MichiganRocks]

If you start collecting rocks now, you'll have a good supply by the time you get a tumbler. Or you could just enjoy them natural. Getting out looking for rocks is fun even if you don't bring any home or polish them.

[@coinpolishing]

I will watch the video well. Have a nice day .. ^^ ~

[@MysteriousEnigmaticStorieS]

Wonderful video. I really enjoy watching these. Somewhere around 1843 you have a brown rock and don't know what to call. Neither do I, but it did remind me of melted chocolate, so of course now I'm watching your videos and snacking.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm glad you found some chocolate to get you through.

[@jbolf6]

They came out beautiful Rob, great job

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks!

[@debispilker4392]

These are beautiful!

[@Smallathe]

Fantastic results, really gorgeous Jasper and other types of rocks....lovely!!! Thanks for sharing! (&interesting beard timeline :)

[@MichiganRocks]

I like mixed batches. The variety makes them more interesting.

[@Smallathe]

@@MichiganRocks I agree, but your "uniform" box collections are also gorgeous.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@Smallathe I do like to keep things organized by rock type when I can. These are organized by geographical area where they were found. I have both homogenous and heterogenous boxes, so we'll get to see both.

[@dreamlookautodetailingauto3353]

Beautiful work buddy! Love the Michigan stones, especially the lake rock! Wish I lived closer to get me some of those lake shore rocks. Hopefully I can find someone selling rough stones online. Someday I'll travel across the States to go home to Michigan and pick some up. Love the channel!

[@MichiganRocks]

I think Michigan would be a good vacation destination. It's a beautiful state, especially the U.P.

[@michelesadler1792]

Thank you so much for this info, I am a newbie at this tumbling thing and your video is extremely helpluf!

[@MichiganRocks]

I have a bunch of videos on how to tumble that might be even more helpful.

[@kristiejacobs4854]

Love, love, LOVE the jaspers!

[@MichiganRocks]

Shiny, aren't they?

Perfect stones my dear....

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks!

[@kathyjay185]

Soooo beautiful

[@adamderdzikowski1571]

I also started working in this way, but in central Poland it is hard to find nice stones. I have mostly unakite, flint, quartz, sometimes nice colored granite. I've learned a lot from your videos.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm not sure where in Poland Polish flint comes from, but it's really nice. I find some chert around here that looks just like it, but it's a very rare find.

[@Soul-Nate]

Fantastic results!

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks!

[@EDLaw-wo5it]

I love those BIFs. Good to see you. You and yours stay safe and havagudun.

[@MichiganRocks]

Yeah, the BIFs are pretty cool. Plus, you get fun, red slurry in the tumbler.

[@tonikeating1287]

They are all so beautiful. I wish the tumbler I had did that kind of work.

[@MichiganRocks]

It probably does. What tumbler do you have? The directions usually don't recommend nearly enough time for each stage, especially the first stage. Did you notice that a lot of time had passed from when I started the video to when it ended? Go watch my video on tumbling crazy lace agate. You can see exactly what I do to get them shiny. If you only have a rotary tumbler (like most people), the same results are possible, it just takes a little longer. I have two videos on rotary tumbling in the works. They should be posted in a month or maybe a little longer.,

[@agordianknot]

Wow! Beautiful rocks. I have just recently started this hobby and have a tumbler on the way and the different grits and polish. I only hope I can achieve half the results you did. I'm curious why you don't tumble the agates? You have some great videos and it is so helpful to a newbie when you identify the rocks. Now I have to watch how you make the stone crosses.

[@MichiganRocks]

I did tumble some Lake Superior agates that one of my subscribers sent to me. But I have trouble tumbling my own finds. They tend to be pretty small and I don't want them to disappear from over tumbling, which I tend to do. They're so pretty just the way I find them, that I've decided that those are going to remain unpolished.

[@patriciamckean4186]

Hematite is nice and the jaspers. Love the end cuts. I need to get some epoxy and strong magnets. Project ideas. Hmmm!!!

[@annadumnov6737]

Beautiful stones. Good luck.

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks!

[@davidhile5363]

Thank You !!! Always interesting and informative. I had a rock the other day that was similar to the dark part in your camouflage rock, kind of a brownish/purplish color. Try as I might I could only get a very mediocre shine to it, even by using sandpaper. When I looked at it under a magnifying glass the surface had the appearance of an orange peel and I just couldn’t smooth it out !

[@MichiganRocks]

That's exactly what people call that texture, "orange peel". Some rocks are definitely more difficult to polish than others. I haven't tried anything else with the camouflage rock yet.

[@davidhile5363]

Michigan Rocks I even tried diamond paste polish that I used at work to polish tungsten carbide tooling and that didn’t even faze it. We got about 3 inches of snow here in northern Indiana today, Crazy !!!

[@MichiganRocks]

@@davidhile5363 I was out kayaking today. It was in the mid thirties when I took off and got up to about 45. Earlier this week my sister got about 18 inches at her house in Marquette, MI. Snow is gone here, but there were icicles on any branches close to the water this morning.

[@annabananacreations]

These are stunning!!

[@MichiganRocks]

That's what keeps me going to Lake Superior to look for more.

[@victoriadawydiuk4172]

Great video. So many of the rocks reminded me of food. Blue cheese, chocolate and a mix If ketchup and mustard. I wasn’t even hungry when I watched it. Go figure!😆

[@MichiganRocks]

I"m not hungry after reading your recipe.

[@JLingelbach1]

😍😍😍👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💥very nice! I like the beard too! 👍🏼

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks!

[@jonahpcannon]

This video was super interesting. Thanks.

[@MichiganRocks]

Cool, I'm glad you liked it!

[@เกตุศรีบุญมา]

Very nice.

[@pirateprospecting707]

Great video buddy! You definitely need a stockpile of extra 😉junk to fill the void!They turned out fantastic!!!

[@MichiganRocks]

Yeah, I was happy with them. Thanks for watching.

[@ximenazavalla6986]

me encantan las piedras,estoy facinada con sus videos

[@MichiganRocks]

Me alegra que te gusten.

[@رمحالرديني-ب2ز]

ماهي العناصر الكيميائية التي تخلط مع الاحجار

[@wyomingadventures]

I love the banded iron with metallic stripes!

[@MichiganRocks]

I do too.

[@elizabethharttley4073]

Haha blotchy rock, that's how id rocks too. Always a treat to peruse a batch of rocks. I would like to make drawer pulls with some of those

[@MichiganRocks]

I did that once. My niece who grew up in the U.P. was moving into a new home in North Carolina. She decorated a bathroom in a U.P. theme, and I made some drawer pulls for her. I thought they turned out pretty nice.

[@elizabethharttley4073]

@@MichiganRocks Oh that's the best. You can make towel or clothes hangers too. My next trip up to the mitten i will collect some beach or river rocks.

[@namiesnaturals3557]

Iv got rocks from a Deleware Beach 7 yrs ago, i just bought a double tumbler machine & the 4 step cleaning solution $100. Cant wait till it comes but iv heard it takes many hrs.

[@MichiganRocks]

Many hours? Figure a month at the very minimum. The rocks in this video were probably done in a month, but that's because I have a rotary and a vibratory tumbler. The vibratory tumbler is very fast at doing the last stages. If I had done this in a rotary tumbler from beginning to end, it would have taken about two months. I'm not complaining, but just trying to adjust your expectations. Here are three long videos showing my process. They're listed in order of my preference. The first method is what I use for almost all the rocks I tumble. Rotary tumbler followed by vibratory tumbler: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaTVnqOGj9d0q7c Rotary tumbler with ceramics: kzbin.info/www/bejne/moqqd5SiZcpkjbs Rotary tumbler with plastic pellets: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5-xp6ytrN-nqJo

[@ezdiharalkhasibi3582]

Very nice

[@1987Hilario]

Nice!!!! So pretty!

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks!

[@TwospotzArtAndCraft]

I could have soooomuch fun with those endslabs!

[@ant-1382]

Never throw those fragments from sawing away! They make great tumbler fill, and sometimes come out really nice.

[@MichiganRocks]

I never do.

[@JanVafa]

The little pieces would make a cool mosaic!!!

[@MichiganRocks]

I suppose they could. I don't think I have mosaic skills in me though.

[@faerefolke]

This makes me want to use my little rock tumbler again.

[@MichiganRocks]

You should!

[@trippingonrocks1165]

Fantastic. They came out great. Really enjoyed that, thanks again 👍🏼

[@MichiganRocks]

I sure was happy with the results.

[@VivaLaVideoz]

Thank you so much, any recommendations on a starter rock tumbler? Cheers from Appleton, WI.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'd get a Lortone. My first tumbler was a Lortone 33B. I still have the tumbler, but I'm only using the barrels on my large homemade tumbler now. Lortone is behind on production due to COVID, but I believe they are still making them. Most places are out of stock. The place that usually has the best prices is The Rock Shed. That's where I buy most of my supplies. rockshed.com

[@MrsMedicate]

Tbh I love that you don't know what some of them are, I'll start rock tumbling myself and have no idea what I'll be doing so... This doesn't make me feel like an idiot

[@MichiganRocks]

I sure don't feel like an idiot. It's really hard to identify all rocks. I have plenty I could still learn, but I have to start somewhere. Identification isn't my main priority. My goal is to be able to shine them up, no matter what they're called.

[@craftyasNZer]

That Jasper is beautiful

[@yovelnaomi8416]

Hi 👋 love your content thank you !

[@leonardbellamy5630]

Beautiful!

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks.

[@LadyYoop]

Awesome as usual! How many pounds of rocks do you think you have there??

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm not really sure. I didn't weigh them.

[@joannmacquarrie3364]

They’ re so beautiful 💖Thanks for sharing!

[@MichiganRocks]

Michigan sure has some pretty rocks.

[@rocknature3318]

Thanks for the recipe! I haven’t got the final “shine” on my rocks, I’m going to try the borax in the burnishing stage.

[@MichiganRocks]

If they're not shiny after the polish stage, don't expect burnishing to get them shiny. Think of "burnishing" as "cleaning".

[@egghaverr]

When I look at shiny round rocks I always think they’re fake. Even though that’s a dumb thing to think

[@MichiganRocks]

Not only are they not fake, they’re also not coated with anything. Some people think something shiny has been painted on. I guess some people do that, but I don’t.

[@egghaverr]

I know you don’t, but for whatever reason my brain just tells me it’s fake lol

[@marymolenda9843]

I used to think the sane thing! In my case , seeing was not believing!

[@mattmanzano51]

I have a ton of beach rounded rocks... I don't care so much for perfectly rounded rocks. Would a Lot-O-Tumbler be okay to use for these to avoid the prelim steps in a rotary tumbler? I'd like a nice polish, but I don't need them to shine like yours do. Love your videos, and wish I lived near the Great Lakes for the agates, and emberlites!

[@MichiganRocks]

The Lot-O by itself will give you the same shine as you see on these rocks, but not change the shape too much. It can do this in a week or even less. Here are a couple videos that show what it can do: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epjCm5uZgr6cm6c kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJiqfHhuhd90g8k

[@kurtpicker2296]

My wife and I have watched many of your videos on rock hounding and tumbling. We went to the UP a couple of years ago and my wife really go into tumbling the rocks we found while there. We are returning in June thru the first couple weeks of July and wanted your recommendations on some of your favorite places on Lake Superior to find good rocks. We didn't even know about Petoskey Stones till we started watching some of your videos. We hope to find some and some pudding stones which we knew nothing about as well. We will be in L'Anse, June 19-25, MCLain State Park, June 25-28, Gwinn, June 28-July 2, Moran, July 2-4, Sault Ste. Marie, July 4-5, Brimley State Park July 5-11. We are willing to drive to find good Michigan rocks. If you happen to be in the area, we'd love to buy you lunch and pick your brain on rocks and would really love to tag along if you are rock hounding in our area to learn more from you. Whatever...thanks for all your videos, they are very helpful.

[@MichiganRocks]

Hey Kurt, you probably won't find Petoskey Stones or puddingstones in Lake Superior. Could you send me an email so I can give you a list of beaches? It's a little long to put in a KZbin message.

[@thirstfast1025]

Haha! I've only ever seen you with the big beard! Your 'pink' rock with the little red flecks looks like maybe a garnet sandstone to me. Great polish on them!

[@MichiganRocks]

That was only the fourth time I've ever had a beard in my life. The longest I ever had a beard for was about two months. This was four months. It won't be back for a long, long time. The pink rock you're talking about, is that the one I thought was quartzite? If it was sandstone, I don't think it would polish. It would be too coarse and crumbly. I've never tried to tumble sandstone, but that's what I've always thought. Would there be a test to check to see if that's what it is?

[@thirstfast1025]

@@MichiganRocks They can be very similar if the sand grains are mostly quartz. You're right that most sandstone won't take a polish, but again, if it's mostly quartz it can. The difference would be that quartzite would be more angular grains of quartz, arranged more or less parallel. Sandstone made mostly of quartz would be well-rounded grains with some sort of cement between them. Usually this would be carbonate, which again would tend to be crumbly, but if the grains are very small, or the cement itself is of a silicious nature, a true sandstone made of quartz grains could polish up like that. Hahaha, I'll always think "Oh yeah, no beard!" when I watch your videos from now on! Thanks for showing the rocks! I always love seeing what other people get from other parts of Lake Superior!

[@12mrmajestic]

My dad did a minor in geology in college. He taught me quite a bit about basalt, shist, quartz, and of couse agates.

[@MichiganRocks]

Lucky you!

[@icatz]

Those Jaspers shined up a treat. Great work. When I used to tumble, the only rocks that got to a shine were the agates. Do you ever find blue lace agate? TFS 💖🦅🦅

[@MichiganRocks]

Nope. I don't know where blue lace agate is from, but it's not Michigan.

[@joepoydack7536]

Blue Lace is found in Namibia, South Africa and small deposit was found in Romania.

[@icatz]

@@joepoydack7536 Thanks!

[@pedraslindasqueachamos5614]

Obrigada pela atenção💝

[@jusjessm]

The polished rocks came out great! Are most of your rocks local? Unfortunately we dont have a great variety of different rocks here do have any suggestions on where to buy good stones to tumble.

[@MichiganRocks]

These were from about 4 hours away from my house. I do find some more locally too. I have had good luck buying from The Rock Shed. therockshed.com

[@harrybeverton]

Hello, I enjoy your videos and as a new rock hound I'm learning a lot too from your vids. What I find most interesting is how the variety of rocks change as you move around the Great Lakes. I live on the south shore of Superior and have many different types of rocks and I'm looking forward to my first lot coming out of the tumbler on Sunday. I was wondering what type of glue you use when making slabs? Also, what equipment would you recommend to someone who is attempting crafting? I have two rotary and one vib tumbler, and a 10" lortone trim saw. TIA

[@MichiganRocks]

When I cut slabs, I use wood glue to glue the half of the rock that was in the vice to a 2x4 so I can slab the other half. Right now I'm using Elmer's Wood Glue. I have used Titebond II also. I wouldn't use a waterproof glue because I remove the last slab from the 2x4 by soaking it in water for a week or two. You say you have a Lortone 10 inch trim saw. Usually trim saws don't have a vice so you wouldn't use the 2x4 method. Do you mean that you have a Lortone slab saw? I have a Lortone ST-10, which is a little older than the LS-10. That saw is a slab saw, not a trim saw. You haven't given me much to go on when you asked what equipment I would recommend for someone attempting crafting. I could tell you popsicle sticks and pipe cleaners, but that's probably not what you want. What sort of crafting are you talking about? Do you want to make jewelry? Cabochons? Tumbling rocks is a craft, I suppose, but you're all set up for that. Maybe you want to make spheres. Let me know what sort of crafts you're thinking of, and I'll do my best to help you out.

[@harrybeverton]

@@MichiganRocks Thanks for the quick response, I have a TS10-C 10" HEAVY-DUTY TRIM SAW. It also has a vise so then I guess I would not use the glue method. The crafting wood be like your making, crosses, hearts and other shapes for wind chimes. No popsicle stick art, lol...

[@MichiganRocks]

@@harrybeverton If you have a vice, than then you should be able to glue your rocks to a 2x4 to clamp them in. That looks like a nice saw. You should be pretty well set if you want to cut shapes. The only thing you really need is a ramp for your saw so that the blade doesn't cut deeper on the bottom than on the top.You need to design your ramp so that the blade comes out of the ramp at a 90 degree angle. In other words, the top of the ramp should line up with the arbor of your saw. Watch the cross video starting at 2:22 to see what I mean. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnuaoqWfhKtjqJY If you want to make holes in the tops of your shapes to put in an eye to hang them from, you'll need a drill. For very small holes, I use a Dremel in the Dremel drill press. I buy the very cheap 1mm drills from Kingsley North. They don't last long, so you'll need to buy several. Sometimes I get one hole out of a bit, but othertimes I might get a dozen holes before the bit breaks or wears out.

[@PingerProspecting]

Rob those are nice, I got two batches going now. I wish I had your touch !!!!

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't really have any special touch. I almost always do the exact same thing. I have consistent results from doing consistent things. The Lot-O tumbler makes it pretty easy. The hard part is having the patience to get all the flaws out in the first step.

[@PingerProspecting]

@@MichiganRocks That is what I have been doing lately is using the first step longer and that is working better. Thanks

[@daniellaben-david6301]

Beautiful! How do you get them so shiny and gemmy after tumbling? Mine are always dull and matte when not wet. Please share 🌼

[@MichiganRocks]

Here’s my complete process: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaTVnqOGj9d0q7c

[@joeyweiss3039]

Where is "local"? My wife and I just moved to Michigan and we love rocks! Trying to figure out where all we can go

[@MichiganRocks]

Local for me is Alpena. These rocks are from Lake Superior in the eastern U.P. If you look in the description of the video, I linked to several videos showing where I got these rocks. If you want to see the beaches I've been to, check out my rockhounding playlist. I have quite a few videos filmed in the eastern U.P. and northeastern lower peninsula. There's one video from Lake Michigan and I'm going to try to make more on that side of the state this fall. I have about a dozen other videos done and on the way in future weeks.

[@maryzylema9699]

Wow another nice selection of rocks. Sure wished you sold them.😁

[@MichiganRocks]

Sorry about that.

[@amrocktumbling8298]

Toward the end of the video you said there were some that looked like agate and they were in a different box because you don't tumble them, I'm just curious why not??

[@MichiganRocks]

I just spent five or ten minutes scanning through the second half of this video, but I can't find that rock you're talking about. Can you give me a time stamp?

[@amrocktumbling8298]

@@MichiganRocks 19:05

[@MichiganRocks]

@@amrocktumbling8298 Oh, ok. I thought you were talking about a specific rock. I don't tumble my agates. They're so hard to find, that I just can't tumble them. They also tend to be pretty small, and I don't want to tumble them away to nothing.

[@josephpotterf9459]

Thanks Rob

[@MichiganRocks]

Your'e welcome, Joseph.

[@frandentel9572]

You said you don’t tumble the agates, why is that and what do you do with them? To amuse myself during this quarantine I have been vibratory tumbling the agates hubby and I found in Minnesota gravel. To tumble out the holes I find I am losing the beauty of some of the patterns. Really love watching your videos, thanks for posting them, Fran

[@MichiganRocks]

I hunt for Lake Superior agates once or twice a summer. It's about five hours to get to Lake Superior from here. They're so hard to find and usually so small, that I like to keep them just like I found them. Mine aren't big or nice enough to be valuable, but Lakers are worth more in their natural state. Mine are usually so small, there wouldn't be much left if I tumbled them. I would like to do a batch of them some day though.

[@frandentel9572]

They are much easier to find in Minnesota, most of ours come out of the gravel roads. I never have much luck finding them in Lake Superior either.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@frandentel9572 Yes, I'd love to get into a good gravel pit in Minnesota. You guys have some great ones there.

[@Sophia-uc9qh]

Is there a way to trim the rocks before tumbling to create marbles? (Just an idea) love this video

[@MichiganRocks]

Yes, but it requires machinery that I don't have. Look up "sphere machine". There are also bead mills. Here's one that is expensive, but doesn't make perfectly spherical beads. I'd want perfect beads for that much money. covington-engineering.com/equipment/bead-mill/

[@Sophia-uc9qh]

Michigan Rocks oh my!!! Yeah for that price it’s definitely got to be worth it! Thank you so much for your fountain of knowledge, because I only recently found your channel Im watching a video every morning to keep me sane! Thank you!!! And if you ever need rocks from England just say the word! :) have a great day

[@kristiejacobs4854]

I think that pink is dolomite? I picked up a few of those on a Lake Superior beach just outside the east entrance of Porcupine Mountains.

[@MichiganRocks]

They gray/pink one? I don't think that's dolomite. It's too hard. Dolomite, at least the stuff I've tumbled, is very hard to tumble because it is so soft.

[@kristiejacobs4854]

Michigan Rocks you’re right. I went back and looked through my Michigan Rocks and Minerals, and I had mistaken some that I found as Kona Dolomite. But I actually think they are probably more sandstone. I wish I could post photos here.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@kristiejacobs4854 I have worked with a lot of Kona dolomite. It only comes from one quarry in Marquette. It's soft like Petoskey stone. Very pretty rock, though. Did you see buy video where I made heart pendants? That's Kona Dolomite.

[@kristiejacobs4854]

Michigan Rocks I’ll have to watch that one. Thanks!

[@michaeljohncambell9716]

I watched the 50 minute video and I wanted to comment there but it simply disappeared on me after it ended. I am brand new to lapidary and I'm missing a couple of things from the tumbling video. I lost count of the number of weeks but it must have been 20? What do you do with the stones after they are finished. Some were good for necklaces etc. but the others???? Another thing I lost sight of was whats the relationship between the grinder over your right shoulder and the tumbler? Would it not be quicker and more targeted to use the grinder? Another area I'm unsure of is why didn't you cut the stones before tumbling? The end result must be more useful polished/finished stones. Thanks in advance John

[@MichiganRocks]

Hi John. Those are some good questions. I'm not sure which tumbling video you watched, but all three of them are aimed at people learning to tumble rocks. Most people have one tumbler and no other lapidary equipment. For that reason, I tried to limit myself to very basic tools, mainly just a tumbler. There are times that I'll trim a bad spot off a rock with my saw or grind a spot off with the grinder. I also have a flat lap that you couldn't see that I use to grind rocks sometimes. I try to only use those tools for a few rocks though because the blades and wheels are really expensive. Most of the time, I just patiently wait for the rocks to get done in the tumbler. I have a video showing what I do with my tumbled rocks. I have a few on display around the house, I give some away, and the rest are just stored in the basement. Honestly, I enjoy the process more than the finished rocks. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIucdaGpbs6ijpo I almost never make anything out of tumbled rocks. When I make things, I usually cut them to shape on my saw or shape them on the grinder (cab machine) that you noticed behind me. Sometimes those shaped rocks go into the vibratory tumbler for a week to get polished. Here are a few videos you might enjoy: Heart Pendants: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpnZq2iIl8pnr9U Petoskey Stone Turtles: kzbin.info/www/bejne/enqyc6ahprmFesU Stone Pendants: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWa8iYSfhJmLnbM Beads: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3mrfXWLesmBnck

[@michaeljohncambell9716]

@@MichiganRocks You are right I will enjoy watching these videos. I wish I could send you a photo of the workshop I have set up. It is, I hope, the forerunner of greater things. I have the Mo Han Cab machine and I am sure the two end plates are for a kind of flat lap which is chalk and cheese compared to yours (which was in the video I watched) but I have not used it yet. I am guessing that the abrasive has to be glued onto the plates. They are vertical and therefore probably not optimal. Thats the learning curve! I look forward to seeing your saw in one of these movies. Great insight into this challenging activity

[@MichiganRocks]

@@michaeljohncambell9716 I have several saws, three of them are being used at the time. Those three appear in various videos. In fact, I'm slabbing a rock right now and the saw should appear in a video this Friday.

[@sueborrego]

Hello, I have a question. I am new to tumbling, am using a LotO Vib after rotary. On a couple occasions it seems like my rocks get "chipped or cracked". Any ideas why that may be happening? Thanks

[@MichiganRocks]

I haven't had that problem. Make sure you're using enough ceramics, I use about 30% of mixed sizes. I'm not sure what else to tell you. What kind of rocks are you tumbling?