chadman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 106
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Cross
Apr 21, 2009 0:37:35 GMT -5
Post by chadman on Apr 21, 2009 0:37:35 GMT -5
For a fellow that did some machining for me. I call this stuff Lightning jasper because it looks like lightning shot through it.
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mc2
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2009
Posts: 1,147
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Cross
Apr 21, 2009 5:12:01 GMT -5
Post by mc2 on Apr 21, 2009 5:12:01 GMT -5
I like it. The lightning effect is really good. Looks like a really good polish on it too. What was your method for getting such a good shine?
Mike
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Cross
Apr 21, 2009 6:24:58 GMT -5
Post by Bejewelme on Apr 21, 2009 6:24:58 GMT -5
Beautiful! How did you cut the cross? Amber
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Cross
Apr 21, 2009 6:35:03 GMT -5
Post by 150FromFundy on Apr 21, 2009 6:35:03 GMT -5
I have some similar rock (Lightning Jasper) with the agate veins being contrasted by the jasper adn as wondering what to do with it. Very nice.
I'd be interested in knowing how you attached your jump ring to the cross. What type of finding did you use? It almost looks like it's drilled into the end, or is it a glue in place one?
I'm getting ready to try attaching findings to some polished rock, but am skeptical about the glue bonding given that the rocks are as smooth as glass.
150FromFundy
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Cross
Apr 21, 2009 9:29:33 GMT -5
Post by Titania on Apr 21, 2009 9:29:33 GMT -5
Very nice! You've really got sharp crisp corners there and a great shine!
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chadman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 106
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Cross
Apr 21, 2009 10:59:38 GMT -5
Post by chadman on Apr 21, 2009 10:59:38 GMT -5
Thanks all. The material adds a dramatic affect to the piece. I'm sure the fellow is gonna like it.
I cut it on a trim saw, shaped with with a 220 diamond wheel. Then I used my dry sander on it. Worked great. I drilled the end in the sink with a dremel and a triple ripple diamond bit. Then epoxied the silver finding into it. I twisted silver square stock, formed a loop on one end and on the straight end I pinched it on the end that went in the hole for more mechanical grip inside the hole. I'm confident it will hold for the life of the piece.
It would have been easier to work the piece if I would have polished the slab top and bottom first before cutting the cross. My dry sander works like a charm but we all know how stubborn flat surfaces are to polish. My first attempt at a cross using my diamond true circle bands on expanding wheels ended in failure. The piece broke on me. Lesson learned about making making 400 grit do the work of 240 or 360 grit.
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Cross
Apr 21, 2009 11:43:26 GMT -5
Post by mohs on Apr 21, 2009 11:43:26 GMT -5
Nice, very nice ! I have one in the works & picked up some tips from ya !
what is the dry sander? a disc mounted on drill type of arraignment ?
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chadman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 106
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Cross
Apr 21, 2009 15:38:37 GMT -5
Post by chadman on Apr 21, 2009 15:38:37 GMT -5
Nice, very nice ! I have one in the works & picked up some tips from ya ! what is the dry sander? a disc mounted on drill type of arraignment ? Thanks. My dry sander: chadhammer.com/images/catch/Sander1.jpgI modeled it after this one richardsonrockranch.com/lapidary.htmlMy stand is elaborate but it could be a simple stand made of wood. I bought the shaft adapter for the motor and rubber backed sanding head from them Richardson's Rock Ranch after they showed me how it theirs works. I later changed the head to a velcro head instead. Works great. Don't need a spanner wrench to change discs. It's simply a 3450 rpm pump motor mounted upside down with a 7" velcro sanding disc attached. I use a shop vac with a bag for collecting drywall dust and I wear a mask as well.
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Cross
Apr 21, 2009 19:44:08 GMT -5
Post by frane on Apr 21, 2009 19:44:08 GMT -5
That cross is very pretty! I love that kind of jasper! Fran
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Cross
Apr 21, 2009 22:32:46 GMT -5
Post by sitnwrap on Apr 21, 2009 22:32:46 GMT -5
You did a beautiful job on that cross. I love the stone you used as it has an old world look to it.
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Cross
Apr 21, 2009 22:43:06 GMT -5
Post by Tony W on Apr 21, 2009 22:43:06 GMT -5
That's some great material, and very nice work! T
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Cross
Apr 21, 2009 23:05:11 GMT -5
Post by mohs on Apr 21, 2009 23:05:11 GMT -5
Thanks for posting your dry grinding set-up! Handy tool!
Did you use the dry grinder for grinding inside the right angles of the cross? Hard to do on expandable or even a grinding wheel, you say?
Ed
O and if I could reply to Fundy question. I been known to rough up the polish area (very carefully) with a grinding wheel then epoxy the bail on over that. Figure it make a better bond.
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,777
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Cross
Apr 22, 2009 0:00:00 GMT -5
Post by adrian65 on Apr 22, 2009 0:00:00 GMT -5
Beautiful material, very clean and precise cuts!
Adrian
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chadman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 106
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Cross
Apr 22, 2009 0:13:09 GMT -5
Post by chadman on Apr 22, 2009 0:13:09 GMT -5
Thanks for posting your dry grinding set-up! Handy tool! Did you use the dry grinder for grinding inside the right angles of the cross? Hard to do on expandable or even a grinding wheel, you say? Ed It wasn't hard to do with expando drums but the true circle diamond bands I use require some pressure. My first attempt broke. (it could have been just s flaw or fluke). The true circle bands are great for cabs. They flex nicely so they conform to dome shapes nicely. I was able to produce a nice polish with my sander inside 90 degree cuts very close to the corner. I wore out the edges of 4 400 grit sanding discs but they are still good in the center so I will use them on slabs and thunder eggs. The got right in there real close to the corners and did an excellent job. I went 400, 600, 800 and CO polish (dremel with felt... I was too nervous that far in to use anything else). The guy at Richardson's was only doing 220 (removes saw marks) and then 400 and then polish on the thunder eggs. I didn't care for the results so I go 240, 400, 600 and 800 discs and man they shine. You use almost no pressure to the surface, let the disc do the work.
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49er
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 753
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Cross
Apr 22, 2009 23:34:36 GMT -5
Post by 49er on Apr 22, 2009 23:34:36 GMT -5
To me you mastered one of the hardest shapes to cut...Excellent work and lighting is amazing..
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