Weekend Fun - Condor Agates (Updated 10/12/2015)
Oct 4, 2015 21:51:42 GMT -5
bushmanbilly, drocknut, and 7 more like this
Post by paulshiroma on Oct 4, 2015 21:51:42 GMT -5
Today was one of those rare days when you get a lot accomplished that needs to get done and still have some time left over for the things you want to do. My boys managed to study, play their WiiU, do some rockclimbing, grocery shopping, chat with friends at church, home maintenance, and STILL have time to get into the garage and play with the rocks!
First, it was time to change out the grit in the tumblers. I had this particular batch of 46/70 in for about two weeks while I was in Tampa on business. This particular batch is the Rio Grange agates from Mel. While I was at it, I cleaned out the vib-lap pan and ran the rocks through a second 320 Graded step. Just finished cleaning those up. I'll move them on to 500 next weekend.
Since it was only 4:00 and Barbara had let me know that the chicken pot pies would take about 90 minutes, I used the time to cut open some condor agates that I had purchased back in May 2014 from a vendor at one of the shows (memory is going, I can see her and her table, but I can't remember he name. Embarrassing).
The first one cut beautifully and the colors were great ... then I noticed this HUGE fracture line right down the middle! Ugh.
I picked it up and broke the agate at the fracture line by hand and looked the pieces over.
They were large enough that I ended up trimming the fractured ends and still have enough material left over to polish. Whew... hate it when that happens, though.
Trimmed:
One to make you a little cross-eyed:
I still had a few minutes before Barbara would need help setting the table and getting thing out so I cut a small half-dollar sized piece:
These things are like packages on Christmas ... absolutely awesome fun!
UPDATED OCTOBER 12, 2015
Yesterday, after all the chores were done, I did a little more slabbing ...
Love these Condor Agates:
Somewhat unique one
This is a rock that the boys picked up near the Queen Obsidian site on Highway 6 just north of the CA/NV border. I may try and polish it but it has small pits. We'll have to see.
Thanks for checking out the thread.
First, it was time to change out the grit in the tumblers. I had this particular batch of 46/70 in for about two weeks while I was in Tampa on business. This particular batch is the Rio Grange agates from Mel. While I was at it, I cleaned out the vib-lap pan and ran the rocks through a second 320 Graded step. Just finished cleaning those up. I'll move them on to 500 next weekend.
Since it was only 4:00 and Barbara had let me know that the chicken pot pies would take about 90 minutes, I used the time to cut open some condor agates that I had purchased back in May 2014 from a vendor at one of the shows (memory is going, I can see her and her table, but I can't remember he name. Embarrassing).
The first one cut beautifully and the colors were great ... then I noticed this HUGE fracture line right down the middle! Ugh.
I picked it up and broke the agate at the fracture line by hand and looked the pieces over.
They were large enough that I ended up trimming the fractured ends and still have enough material left over to polish. Whew... hate it when that happens, though.
Trimmed:
One to make you a little cross-eyed:
I still had a few minutes before Barbara would need help setting the table and getting thing out so I cut a small half-dollar sized piece:
These things are like packages on Christmas ... absolutely awesome fun!
UPDATED OCTOBER 12, 2015
Yesterday, after all the chores were done, I did a little more slabbing ...
Love these Condor Agates:
Somewhat unique one
This is a rock that the boys picked up near the Queen Obsidian site on Highway 6 just north of the CA/NV border. I may try and polish it but it has small pits. We'll have to see.
Thanks for checking out the thread.