ruffdog
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2023
Posts: 4
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Post by ruffdog on Nov 30, 2023 17:23:19 GMT -5
Hi guys, have been reading through a few threads and thought I'd better register. I'm over on the west coast of Scotland at the "Kyles of Bute " I've been on and off silversmith / jewellery creator. Laser cutting, 3d printing, combining wood with silver etc. For over 10 years. When we moved here a year and a bit ago I started rockhounding with uv torch on the beach ( already do gold prospecting and metal detecting........ too many hobbies) Anyhoo, I started also looking for agate locally and my prospecting/MD'ing friend had some to cut. So I cut my first agate with a dremel and had at it with the pendant drill. Much fun was had and so it started. I needed a tile cutter to cut some slate from the " 1840" church roof that'd been thrown on the shore, my plan was to make some coasters and engrave them when by accident whilst cutting a nice old thick slate. That'd make a lovely pendant , I said to myself. So cut and shaped a rectangle and a load of other pendant pieces. Then sat at the kitchen table for many evenings with a piece of glass, wet dry paper and a diamond knife sharpening block " for shaping and flattening" some pieces split so I used them as earrings, learned how to drill stone, some I made silver bails for or a leather cordage. Here I am now and I purchased some sodalite off ebay to play with as I've been busy with work and my mother dying suddenly etc etc and I wanted to have a play again. Deffo need a flat lap!!!!!! Hope everyone isn't too bored with my wee story. I don't normally do introductory threads. Regards Toby photos.app.goo.gl/JpyPrUrpwK415FMr8
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Post by vegasjames on Nov 30, 2023 17:54:36 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum Toby.
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pebblesky
fully equipped rock polisher
Purchased another UV mini bowl for tumbling
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,433
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Post by pebblesky on Nov 30, 2023 18:12:15 GMT -5
Welcome Toby! Enjoy reading your introductory story and look forward to seeing more photos/videos of your lapidary work from you!
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chris1956
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2022
Posts: 1,246
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Post by chris1956 on Nov 30, 2023 18:29:48 GMT -5
Welcome.
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Post by Pat on Nov 30, 2023 19:54:13 GMT -5
Sorry about your mother.
Welcome from California.
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,733
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Post by khara on Nov 30, 2023 20:16:19 GMT -5
Welcome! Your story is interesting and sounds really nice. The Kyles of Bute looks like a gorgeous place to live and explore. I’m sorry for your loss of your mom. Did you move to Scotland from the US or somewhere else?
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,598
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Post by Mark K on Nov 30, 2023 21:49:03 GMT -5
My ancestors come from Closeburn and there abouts. They supposedly include Robert the Bruce and Roger de Kirkpatrick, and we all know what he did.
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 30, 2023 22:03:30 GMT -5
Hey Toby! Welcome to the forum from South Dakota! You're going to have FUN with that Sodalite! It's really soft...and polishes amazingly well! So it should be a LOT easier to work by hand!
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ruffdog
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2023
Posts: 4
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Post by ruffdog on Dec 1, 2023 6:31:57 GMT -5
Thanks for all the replies everyone. I will post some photos of the slate and stuff if I can figure out the photo sharing thing. Tried last night with no luck.
I'm Scottish btw, nearly 45 years old, just moved about a lot.
My mum had a stroke, recovered 99% and then a month later had another and then, got covid in hospital and told also lung cancer, then was basically in a coma for a week until her body shut down. It was horrible, she lives in France and I hadn't a passport. Took 8 days to get an emergency passport, I got the call she'd passed at 0830 and post came at 1230 with passport. So then I was over in France sorting stuff out. I may try and move over there as I now will own a lovely renovated french farmhouse with workshop spaces and barn etc etc
Toby
Ps. It's minus 6 degrees over here
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Post by liveoak on Dec 1, 2023 7:45:44 GMT -5
Welcome Toby from NW Florida. Sure glad it's not minus 6 here this morning !
Patty
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michiganpebbler
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2023
Posts: 344
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Post by michiganpebbler on Dec 1, 2023 9:01:43 GMT -5
Hi Toby! Welcome from lower Michigan! So sorry about your Mom.
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victor1941
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2011
Posts: 1,979
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Post by victor1941 on Dec 1, 2023 10:13:59 GMT -5
Welcome, I'm Victor1941 from Austin, Texas.
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ruffdog
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2023
Posts: 4
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Post by ruffdog on Dec 1, 2023 10:53:05 GMT -5
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ruffdog
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2023
Posts: 4
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Post by ruffdog on Dec 1, 2023 11:00:52 GMT -5
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,598
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Post by Mark K on Dec 1, 2023 13:37:03 GMT -5
Welcome Toby from NW Florida. Sure glad it's not minus 6 here this morning ! Patty 21 degrees F
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