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Post by superioragates on Nov 8, 2009 16:34:35 GMT -5
These will all have to be finished in the rotaries, through normal steps..but here they are. I got high domes on some, and not so high on others, but, working with the dremel, sometimes things just do not go my way!! LOL Sitting on an 81/2x11" sheet of paper. Cut the preforms with the WF, and the rest all done with the dremel. I figure by the time they go through the grinding in the rotaries...they should look even better! Thanks for lookin'! Marie
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Post by Toad on Nov 8, 2009 16:49:13 GMT -5
Light green in the 4th row looks interesting Get 'em rolling. Great job Marie.
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mossyrockhound
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,278
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Post by mossyrockhound on Nov 8, 2009 17:22:59 GMT -5
Good photographs. Those must've taken forever with a Dremel! Have you considered getting a grinding/sanding outfit? You could really save some time. However, these should be very pretty after tumbling. Garry
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Post by superioragates on Nov 8, 2009 18:03:20 GMT -5
Toad - Thanks. Not sure what that stone is, it was in a box I got from aunuts recently, so it could be just about anything! But it's pretty!
Garry - Thanks! yeah, I have thought about it....just not in the current budget, so will have to wait for awhile. Wish it was, but oh well. This takes a bit longer to do, but they turn out ok, so I am ok with that for now!
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Nov 8, 2009 19:22:31 GMT -5
They look good Marie, I bet they'll finish up real nice in the tumbler!
Nate
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Post by rockmanken on Nov 8, 2009 20:24:57 GMT -5
Fantastic job for a Dremel. Got more patience than I have. Keep up the good work. Ken
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highplainsdrifter
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,266
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Post by highplainsdrifter on Nov 8, 2009 20:51:45 GMT -5
Wow! Nice work. Amazing you were able to do that with a dremel. Be sure to not inhale any rock dust if you're doing it dry.
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Post by tkrueger3 on Nov 8, 2009 20:52:06 GMT -5
Holy cow - that's more than I can cut in a day with the WF, much less shape them up! They look like they'll be really nice after you're done with the tumbling. At the rate you're going, that's maybe a day's worth of wire wrapping! LOL!
Tom
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Post by superioragates on Nov 8, 2009 21:15:57 GMT -5
HPD - I am not doing this dry, The dremel blade never leaves water for anything. I sure don't wanna mess with that!! Tom Thanks....MAYBE a days worth of wire wrapping!! LOL I cannot wait to get them out of polish so you guys can see how they turn out!!!! Thanks everyone! Marie
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wyobrian
fully equipped rock polisher
GO VIKINGS
Member since February 2009
Posts: 1,739
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Post by wyobrian on Nov 8, 2009 22:11:51 GMT -5
great job ;D thats a lot of work Brian
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Post by Tony W on Nov 8, 2009 23:43:55 GMT -5
You sure have the drive! I think you need to get some wheels and an arbor quick Tony
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Post by frane on Nov 9, 2009 7:19:40 GMT -5
You are doing great Marie! I sure hope those hold together in the polish and you end up with fantastic cabs! Fran
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Post by superioragates on Nov 9, 2009 9:32:34 GMT -5
Brian, yep a lotta work! My hands hurt so bad yesterday! But I wanted enough done to get in to the rotaries the next time I can put some in...so I suffer! LOL Tony, One of these days...one of these days! Fran, yeah me too. Sure hope they hold up for me. I only broke one of thes when I was grinding and shaping, and the tip just snapped right off! Oh well...little mor grinding did it! Thanks everyone! I will be posting pics of finished stuff when I get there!
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Post by Bejewelme on Nov 9, 2009 9:38:08 GMT -5
Marie! You always amaze me with your ingenuity and creativity. When you want something bad enough you stop at nothing to get it! Great job, I am sure they will shine up great!!! Amber
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Post by Tonyterner on Nov 9, 2009 13:26:00 GMT -5
Wow you did those with a Dremel! I can't even imagine trying that.
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Nov 10, 2009 8:01:20 GMT -5
Great job!!!
What do use use in your dremel for the grinding? Can you show a pic of your tools for the audience?
If you did this many in a a day with a dremel, you'll have alot of spare time on your hands when you get a wheel!! (yeah, right! just get more rocks ;D)
Keep up the good work.
Dr Joe
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Post by beefjello on Nov 10, 2009 8:09:06 GMT -5
Wowzers.. all that with a dremel? Now_that's dedication! I can't wait to see them fresh outta the tumbler!
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Post by superioragates on Nov 10, 2009 9:36:47 GMT -5
Sure drjo, I can take some pics of what I use, no biggee! I'll do it today! Beef, I have a few that came out of rough grind on Saturday, I only leave the cabs in rough for the week, I don't want to lose the shape on them by rolling too long in grit. They should be done in a couple weeks...I will post pics when they are done.
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Post by superioragates on Nov 10, 2009 10:21:45 GMT -5
Ok, here ya go. This is my set-up. It's in an unused bedroom in my house...Sorry bout the mess, but you know how it is!! LOL This is the table set-up, as you can see I have an enclosed, plastic box type thing that I do this in, to keep the water contained. I almost fill the bottom of that box with water before I get started, and I never let the dremel leave the water while I am cutting rock. This is the other end of the short table, where the dremel itself hangs from, so there is no water getting in it at any time This is the inside of my plastic "box"........makes a mess in there, but that's ok! These are some of the diamond bits I use. I only bought this set, because it was 15.00 marked down, they work ok, but the surface of them is small, so it takes a bit longer. These are my "preferred" bits. The surface is larger, and easier to use for me, not to mention they seem to be more course, and work a little faster. These are all worn out as you can tell, but I cut quite a few rocks, and cleaned up a whole lotta agates with them before they bit the dust. Thing is I have to drive 50 miles to get them, but when I do I only pay like 4.00 each at a discount tool place, so... And these are my preforms, as you can see they start out 1/4 inch thick, like most of you do yours. You can also see I have quite a few more to get through!! The hardest part doing it this way is getting the first initial angle from the sides of the stone. I basically have to "whittle" it down, much like you would whittling wood. It takes about 30 minutes to an hour for each stone to get the right shape and angle, and dome if I can get one. Some rocks just DO NOT cooperate with me, so I get what I get, and that's it. All in all though, these will all be wrappable stones, with good shapes, and at least a low dome to work with when they are done. Alright, that's my process, and my place to do it. As you can see, I am a firm believer in working with what I have on hand, when and if at all possible. Eventually I will have some wheels or something to work with, but that's sometime in the future. Thanks for lookin everyone!! Marie
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Post by Toad on Nov 10, 2009 10:24:17 GMT -5
Love the mess - you are a true lapidarist.
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