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Post by Pat on Aug 24, 2015 15:40:09 GMT -5
I know of two ways to detect fractures, but suspect there are more ways as well.
1-wet the slab. If bubbles form, there is a hole/fracture
2- drag a pocket knife across the slab. If there is a fracture, you can feel it
Are there any other ways?
Thanks.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 24, 2015 15:43:50 GMT -5
Drop on floor, and let it break? What is left if safe to cab, lol!
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Post by Pat on Aug 24, 2015 15:44:59 GMT -5
Drop on floor, and let it break? What is left if safe to cab, lol! Yep, knew that --- from experience .
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 24, 2015 15:51:57 GMT -5
Oh, you meant other than that? How about getting it wet, and holding it up to a light (if it is clear enough).
Be cool to have a little hand-held sonogram machine, that would do the trick!
It sucks to have a slab break while you are cabbing it. But sometimes, you just have to give it a go. Nothing ventured, nothing gained...
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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 Aug 24, 2015 16:49:50 GMT -5
finger nails work too for finding cracks in slabs!!
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Post by jakesrocks on Aug 24, 2015 16:54:02 GMT -5
If the slab was cut in oil, dust a little bit of talcum or flour over it. Any oil left in cracks or voids will be drawn to the surface and leave a wet line in the dust.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 24, 2015 17:18:01 GMT -5
I like to wet the slabs slightly and then watch as they dry. The fractures tend to retain water a bit longer and show up well when you look at the slab at an angle....Mel
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Post by bobby1 on Aug 24, 2015 18:07:51 GMT -5
I hold the dry slab up to a bright light and look for the light to reflect off the fracture. Bob
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Post by Pat on Aug 24, 2015 18:32:42 GMT -5
If the slab was cut in oil, dust a little bit of talcum or flour over it. Any oil left in cracks or voids will be drawn to the surface and leave a wet line in the dust. jakesrocks neat idea. All my saws are for water 4", 7", and 10". However, I'll tell my big-saw friends.
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Post by jakesrocks on Aug 24, 2015 19:23:29 GMT -5
Pat, I live on a gravel road. I just dry the oil off of my slabs and lay them on the porch. By the end of the day they have a coating of fine dust on them, and any cracks stand out like a sore thumb. I'm sure that if you just dried the outside of your slabs and dusted them with flour or something else, there would be enough water left in the cracks to make them stand out.
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Post by Pat on Aug 25, 2015 11:29:08 GMT -5
Bob, I'll have to try that. New to me. Don, I'll try that as well if the water tricks don't help.
Really like the sonogram idea!
Lots of good information here. Thanks.
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delo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 134
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Post by delo on Aug 25, 2015 13:11:37 GMT -5
Thanks for asking the question Pat! Something i had been thinking about as well.
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