kellyj
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2013
Posts: 100
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Post by kellyj on Jan 25, 2014 14:25:45 GMT -5
Good day all,
I thought this might be a good subject to start and I could get some good advice from the rock-cutting wise men and wise women on this site :
When I look at this rock I see quite a few geode formations, crystals, and an iridescence in sunlight.....I need to cut into this rock, but I know the wrong move could really ruin it . Being a total newbie at this I need a lot of advice plus I'm quite nervous about it being my first rock . Please take a look at the pics and tell me what you think: side 1
Top view:
side 2:
end:
Side 2 different angle: Thanks for viewing!
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Post by 1dave on Jan 25, 2014 16:38:09 GMT -5
Pits on the outside means there will probably be pits on the inside.
If I were going to cut it, I would try to cut on the fracture line. It will break there anyway.
If you plan on cabbing it, try to keep the color in the area you want.
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ash
spending too much on rocks
Prairieville, Louisiana
Member since July 2012
Posts: 361
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Post by ash on Jan 26, 2014 7:14:15 GMT -5
I would cut the tip off to see if it is worth cutting, but does look like it has a fracture down the middle so may be a problem. Just start cutting them, cut them all lol and you will figure out what you want and don't want...Just jump right in!
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Jan 26, 2014 17:33:07 GMT -5
cutting a rock like this you have to ask yourself, do I want a few large slabs, or a lot of smaller slabs. The difference being what size and how many cabs you'd like to get out of it. If you are looking at it as a specimen rock and want to display it, I would split it down the middle following the fracture so you have a nice large piece to polish/display.
also remember this... A fracture does not necessarily go all the way through and even if it does may be healed, minerals seeped in and solidified within the crack making it solid again, and the only way to know is to cut it open. Either way, if it were up to me, I would split it in half, by length of width is up to you and see what the inside holds.
My personal preference is to split it by width not length so I can get more out of it if I want to cab it.
eith way good luck and post a pic or 2 of the inside!!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2014 18:18:32 GMT -5
Into small cubes, season with salt and pepper, heat up some butter add onions and garlic, stir fry until tasty.
Delicious looking red potato you have there.
hehe!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on Jan 26, 2014 18:55:52 GMT -5
Lots of quartz and agate in that bad boy,I would cut it length wise!!!
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jollyrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 409
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Post by jollyrockhound on Jan 26, 2014 20:07:05 GMT -5
Pits on the outside means there will probably be pits on the inside. If I were going to cut it, I would try to cut on the fracture line. It will break there anyway. If you plan on cabbing it, try to keep the color in the area you want. yes i would do the same good suggestion!
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kellyj
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2013
Posts: 100
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Post by kellyj on Feb 28, 2014 7:07:01 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! Shotgunner - I love your sense of humor !
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 28, 2014 11:04:56 GMT -5
Cut cut cut.............Lets see it opened!
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 28, 2014 11:24:20 GMT -5
Kellyj, you don't say what type of saw you have. If it's large enough to make long cuts, I would glue the rock to a block of wood to keep it from twisting and ruining your blade. Cut as many slabs as possible. You can release the end nub from the block of wood by soaking overnight in water.
The first slice should tell you if it's worth taking more slices.
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kellyj
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2013
Posts: 100
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Post by kellyj on Mar 13, 2014 11:10:10 GMT -5
Thanks for the input everyone.
Jakesrocks - I have someone in MN with a rock saw that is willing to help me cut into the other collection of ugly sparkle rocks. I was contemplating buying a tile saw but I think it would be best if I had rock expert by my side when I cut into these rocks. Kelly
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Mar 13, 2014 12:51:55 GMT -5
Kelly,
That looks like it might be a whole nodule Lake Superior Agate of the "paint" variety, or one of the "other" forms of Laker. If you found it around here, that's likely, and the pits would only be on the outside. It will be easy enough to find out.
I would cut it along major the fracture line, otherwise that fracture will detract from any other cut. Lakers tend to be have a lot of fractures, so others may appear.
Don't cut this one with a tile saw. You'll waste too much and end up with too many saw marks to grind out.
Chuck
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rocpup
spending too much on rocks
Pink Limb Iris
Member since March 2011
Posts: 465
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Post by rocpup on Mar 18, 2014 9:06:13 GMT -5
There does seem to be some nice slabs in your rock. I have cut so many rocks that anymore I clamp the rock in the saw that best keeps it from moving or coming loose when it is being cut. Most rock is a lot cheaper than a new saw blade. Round smooth rocks most times are hard to clamp in a saw clamp. It clamps only on small round areas and tends to turn under pressure from the saws feed. My saws have a number of wedges and pieces of wood to place in the clamp to keep the rock tight. Like Jakesrocks said it may be possible to glue a something to it to keep it stable in the saw. When I cut a new rock in one of my saws I give it a hard twist to see if it moves just before I close the lid. Most of the times it works but not always. Some times I cut through a fracture and released the pressure in the clamp and it has turned the rock loose with sad results. Don
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