tfbc
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2011
Posts: 117
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Post by tfbc on Jan 11, 2012 16:00:10 GMT -5
How do you know which is the 'right' side of the rock to cut? I had an amazonite chunk that I cut on two different faces and each had a different appearance to it...this could mess up the rough if it is a patterned rough right? but how can you tell BEFORE making the first cut?
does that make sense?
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 11, 2012 16:18:57 GMT -5
You could always try polishing small windows around the rock, and look for the most pleasing pattern. I do this when cutting Montana moss agate and some other materials. Don
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,688
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Post by Fossilman on Jan 11, 2012 16:45:44 GMT -5
That is a tough one there,sometimes you can't see what's inside before you make the cut....Sometimes its the luck of the draw.......
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Post by Tonyterner on Jan 11, 2012 20:56:19 GMT -5
I take a cut each way then decide. Sometimes I like both and slice half the rock in one direction then the rest in the other.
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Post by Rockoonz on Jan 12, 2012 0:42:16 GMT -5
Generally if you find the direction that makes the rock impossible to clamp into the saw vice, that will be the direction that gives the best picture.
Lee
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Post by Woodyrock on Jan 12, 2012 0:45:47 GMT -5
Wow! Lee nailed this one!
Woody
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Jan 12, 2012 1:11:19 GMT -5
What Lee said.
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tfbc
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2011
Posts: 117
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Post by tfbc on Jan 12, 2012 7:29:26 GMT -5
;D
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2012 11:30:45 GMT -5
Don Have you heard of polishing windows on a Montana and shooting a laser through it to see what is the best way to cut? A guy told me this when I ran into him when I was rock hounding. Not sure how that would work unless the laser would be blocked more one way than the other. Jim
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 12, 2012 12:04:50 GMT -5
Hadn't heard of that one Jim. I always use a mini Mag Light to shine through them. Don
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 12, 2012 14:55:04 GMT -5
Thanks Lee, I'm trying to eat soup. Almost sprayed the computer.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jan 12, 2012 20:18:05 GMT -5
With Amazonite, you're not really looking for patterns as much as flash, cut parallel to the flash. Each slab should show flash and should cab like moonstone. Cut slow, some of these rocks can literally fall apart.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jan 12, 2012 20:19:17 GMT -5
Oh, and Lee is correct. lol
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tfbc
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2011
Posts: 117
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Post by tfbc on Jan 12, 2012 20:29:37 GMT -5
With Amazonite, you're not really looking for patterns as much as flash, cut parallel to the flash. Each slab should show flash and should cab like moonstone. Cut slow, some of these rocks can literally fall apart. Repeat, with amazonite cut parallel to the flash, and cut slow... yes my amazonite cab survived everything, until it came out of the freezer, and off the dop stick, and went from my hand to my husbands, at which point the bugger seperated into two pieices.. Queston, could that also happen because the stone was still too wet when it went into the freezer, causing the water (that was in a fracture that I did not see) freeze (thus expand) and crack?
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Post by NatureNut on Jan 12, 2012 21:11:50 GMT -5
It could, but Amazonite is blocky and thus will just be prone to doing that with enough vibration or impact.
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Minnesota Daniel
freely admits to licking rocks
A COUPLE LAKERS
Member since August 2011
Posts: 891
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Post by Minnesota Daniel on Jan 13, 2012 1:52:22 GMT -5
tfbc,
According to crystologists, Amazonite inspires truth, sincerity, honor, self-love, communication, eloquence, integrity, trust, clairvoyance, clarity, prophecy and openness. When the finished cab touched your husband's hand, it... (you fill in the blank). :-) Oh, another thing, they say if you hold it to the middle of your forehead (third eye), Amazonite unlocks psychic vision. That's how you tell which way to cut it. Honest, I'm not making up what "they" say.
Seriously though, sorry to hear it broke on you. I just had a piece cleave into two after I pulled at a very fine crack with my finger nail, knowing that it would come apart sooner or later anyway.
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Post by NatureNut on Jan 13, 2012 9:52:57 GMT -5
I normally stabilize it by letting some super glue soak in before the initial shaping. The excess grinds off. It helps.
Depending on where it is from there will be more or less Orthoclase (Moonstone) mixed with it. That will dictate how much schiller there is, if any.
Jo
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jan 13, 2012 13:47:00 GMT -5
As Don said, the old school method of "candling" a Montana agate works really well to reveal the patterns in the rock. Obviously won't work with opaque rocks, though.
I also agree with Lee! I guess that's what blocking cuts are for...
Chuck
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