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Post by bobby1 on Jan 5, 2009 23:08:45 GMT -5
I've found that my garage isn't any warmer this year than it was last year. Anyone have any ideas? Both are Montanas This one is 2" across. This one is 3" across. Bob
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Post by beefjello on Jan 6, 2009 0:09:51 GMT -5
Those are both beauties! The second one really catches my eye. Ya might wanna insulate the garage this summer for next winter? In the mean time throw on some long johns and keep a thermos of hot spiced rum by your cabber! heh
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highplainsdrifter
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Member since December 2008
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Post by highplainsdrifter on Jan 6, 2009 0:24:15 GMT -5
I really like the first one. Nice caramel color and wispy black plumes. Very nice.
For my shop, I bought a little Pelonis electric fan heater. I turn it on an hour or two before I go out and it really warms it up. It was only like $30. I also bring a jug of warm water out with me.
HPD
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Post by Tony W on Jan 6, 2009 0:34:14 GMT -5
Beautiful! I love the airbrush/stipple effect on the second one. Tony
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Saskrock
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Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Jan 6, 2009 0:48:33 GMT -5
Really nice agates. Here is an idea for you, Solar air heater. I have a couple on my roof (4'x8') and they were doing all my heating during the day down to about -5C/23F. They still help down to about -20C/-4F. Mine are fancy fan powered insulated ones (built them myself), but one like this would probably do the trick in California. www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SpaceHeating/HouseTS/RobTS.htmCheap to build and free to run. Green is the new cheap!!
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Post by Woodyrock on Jan 6, 2009 1:13:13 GMT -5
Both of those Montanas are beuatiful! I sure would like to find a couple like those.....most of the ones I have cut, are just plain duds no matter how good they look from outside. Woody
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Post by sitnwrap on Jan 6, 2009 7:33:18 GMT -5
Those are beauties as always. I'm assuming you've tried space heaters. But may be if you devise even a temporary cloth tent around you and the cabbing machine or even a backdrop wall it would capture and help keep the heat from a space heater in the area you are working in. Probably a silly suggestion
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huffstuff
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Member since August 2007
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Post by huffstuff on Jan 6, 2009 7:45:09 GMT -5
Beautiful! Even with freezing fingers.
Have you made plans for your new shop to keep you warm in the winter?
Amy
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rockdude
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2008
Posts: 187
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Post by rockdude on Jan 6, 2009 7:47:57 GMT -5
The second one is my pick, if I can only have one. Slap a stamp on it, lol.
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Post by Titania on Jan 6, 2009 8:34:39 GMT -5
Both are superb, Bobby! I think I like the 2nd one best...it's got a lot going on in it for a Montana.
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free4rms
freely admits to licking rocks
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Member since January 2007
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Post by free4rms on Jan 6, 2009 8:37:20 GMT -5
I just posted this tip on the Lapidary Tips section of the forum, but I thought you might like to hear the idea I came up with to help keep your hands warmer in winter when grinding:
Now, I am in S.C. and our winters are a joke compared to the northern and western states, but I still think this might at least help somewhat. When grinding, the wheels are spinning so fast that they draw air from behind the wheels and propel that extremely cold air forward right onto your hands when you are grinding. Add water to the air and it really gets cold fast. So, here is the tip: buy a hair dryer that has the hottest air setting you can get (they vary, believe me). You can get them for a buck or two at a Goodwill store. Rig up a stand of some sort to hold the hair dryer and point it so that it will blow hot air behind the wheels you are working on. This will really change the temperature of the air blowing on your hands and help keep them warmer. I don't know how much this will help in sub freezing temperatures, but it has to help some. I use a drip feed water system on my cabbing machine, and using very hot water helps keep things a little warmer, too, but this is probably something obvious. Anyway, I hope this helps keeps your hands warmer.
Vance
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jan 6, 2009 15:29:03 GMT -5
Those are both really cool, never seen patterns like the second one. Sweet!! The only thing I can say aboutthe garage is insulation and a good space heater or an A/C-Heat window unit installed by cutting a hole in the side of the garage. This is actually fairly easy to do.
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grayfingers
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Member since November 2007
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Post by grayfingers on Jan 6, 2009 16:06:46 GMT -5
Love 'em both! Around 80% of the Montana agate I have found is translucent to fairly clear, ones with good inclusions are somewhat rare. The 1st one has a nice mix of moss and color. The 2nd one is called pepper agate by locals. Your piece has more banded color that I usually have seen. Beautiful cabs, set in a buckle they would fetch a handsome price!
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Sabre52
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 6, 2009 17:13:28 GMT -5
Dang Bobby, you make beautiful and "HUGE" cabs! I'd love to see a pic of how you have your wheels set up sometime....Mel
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mossyrockhound
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Post by mossyrockhound on Jan 6, 2009 18:11:23 GMT -5
Very nice job on the cabs. Montana agate is one of my favorites to work. It is tough, takes a fantastic polish, and is just beautiful when you get the clear, red, black color combination like you've got here. I decided I couldn't afford to (or at least didn't want to) heat my whole shop, so I built a "cabbing and faceting cubicle". This cubicle is about five feet by six feet by 7 feet tall and I loaded it with insulation and put in good lighting. I put 5 electrical receptacles in it and a small window so I can see when its daylight. Then I got a little electric space heater to put under the bench, aimed at my legs, and I can stay out there as long as I want in almost any kind of weather. The little space heater heats up my cubicle in about 60 seconds, so I just set the thermostat accordingly and cab (or facet) to my hearts content! Works for me anyway.
Good luck staying warm & keep up the nice work!
mr
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Post by sparkles on Jan 6, 2009 18:17:30 GMT -5
Hey Bob! Those stones are beautiful Mate! I really love the look of that Montana Agate, and these two are no exceeptions, the size and frequency of the freckles is amazing, I love the second stone, those spots get so small they look like tinting! Your shape and shine are as ever, utterly fab! Thanks for sharing your efforts, hope the weather warms a little soon! ;D Cheers, Sparkles.
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Post by stonesthatrock on Jan 6, 2009 21:10:33 GMT -5
those cabs are very pretty. i like the second one. my suggestion is to move to az lol
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Post by Michael John on Jan 6, 2009 21:23:08 GMT -5
Regarding a cubicle ... if you have a free corner in your garage, make two 8'x8' panels and attach them to the adjoining walls on hinges, 8' from the corner. When you need to use your cubicle, just swing the panels out and you'll have your 8'x8' space. The rest of the time, the panels will be flat against the walls, freeing-up your space. The key is definately heating a smaller space. Trying to heat a big drafty garage is an exercise in futility, and very expensive.
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Post by frane on Jan 6, 2009 22:42:56 GMT -5
Those are both really great Montana's! I especially like the second one with all the banding and spots! Fran
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Post by bobby1 on Jan 6, 2009 23:07:01 GMT -5
Thank you for everyone's suggestions as to how to keep warm while cabbing in a cold garage. I'll try some of them out. Unfortunately my wife says no way to ANY modifications to my.....er... her garage. Fortunately my new workshop is progressing well with an expected completion about the 15th of February. It will have heating and air conditioning in the third that will be my primary work area. I'll just have to tough it out in her garage for the next few weeks and be patient. Now if I could just get on top of this cold that I have been fighting since before Christmas. Here is a picture of the progress on my shop. Mel, Here is a picture of my cabbing setup. Its not pretty but I do have a lot of clearance around the diamond grinding wheel and the Expando sanding drum. Bob
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