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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 9, 2015 21:14:17 GMT -5
A few look like they may be Fairburns. Others look like hills agates from the Black Hills that have been tumbled. The only way I could tell for sure is if I could personally look at them.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 8, 2015 12:57:55 GMT -5
Plate & rocks must both be cleaned between grit changes.
Depending on how smooth your cut was, it can take as little as a couple of minutes in each grit. The course stage is usually the slowest stage. And it does help if you have a bunch of stones to lap.
Noise isn't all that bad. Just sort of a slight grinding noise if you're using enough water. (But not enough to keep washing the grit off of the plate.
It helps to work from the outside of the plate towards the center as it pushes the grit back towards the center & saves needing to recharge as often.
Keep the piece being ground moving across the plate at all times, to put even wear on the plate. If you just grind in one plate you'll wear low spots in the plate.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 8, 2015 10:37:57 GMT -5
Yes, but there are ways to get around having to hold them. I'll find a link to one that was recently posted.
If you have a fairly smooth saw cut to begin with, From course grind to ready for polish only takes a couple hours at the most.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 7, 2015 14:54:07 GMT -5
Man, some guys have all the luck. Wish I could find a big flat lap like that somewhere within a couple hundred miles.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 7, 2015 12:30:24 GMT -5
The old jewelers alcohol lamps work great for the really tiny tumbles. They already have a wick and cap to cover the wick to put it out. No reason why lamp oil wouldn't work in them. They look great mixed in with fish tank gravel too.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 6, 2015 20:48:16 GMT -5
Nice looking lap for a home built. Looks like you could fit a 24" plate on it if you wanted to.
Those pads in your link are basically Scotch Brite pads. No good for polishing rocks. Probably a Chinese knockoff.
As already mentioned, just grit and a water drip on a rotating lap. They're more labor intensive, but you get results much quicker than with a vibrating lap. Be sure to clean up real good when changing to a finer grit.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 5, 2015 12:55:28 GMT -5
I must admit that I haven't had much to say lately, but RTH gets checked several times per day. I'm working on a new project which is keeping me busy. Some of you who follow the thumbnail minerals thread may have noticed that pictures have been disappearing. I'm in the process of editing all of the pics on photobucket, and putting them all in one album. When I'm finished, I'll re-post all of the missing pics.
My old 1999 Ford F100 has less than 33,000 miles on it. If I can talk mamma into retiring this summer, it'll start getting used for rockin trips.
RTH is alive & well. Things always slow down when the winter weather ends. All those rocks calling to us, and just nice to get outside without freezing our butts off.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 4, 2015 14:29:27 GMT -5
It would seem that google & ebay have blocked the sale of anything with a rebel flag. They have no problem with listings of Nazi swastika's, or communist flags. Starting to look like the liberal cry babies control google & ebay. But they missed one seller. I just ordered a crossed rebel flags hat pin after 2 hours of searching listings that had been removed.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 3, 2015 19:43:39 GMT -5
My photobucket is working, but it's extremely slow. Could be they're doing some upgrades to their system. Had this happen a while back and within a day or two everything was working fine.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 3, 2015 13:17:21 GMT -5
Dang Mike. It's about time ya got a cabber. Saved your coins ya say ? LOL. I even went out after work & collected soda cans to help pay for my first real machine. (Built one out of junk parts that served the purpose until I saved enough cans).
Anyway, Congrats. Now the real fun starts.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 2, 2015 22:20:44 GMT -5
How about Ocommie having the Whitehouse lit with rainbow lights. The asshole turned the Whitehouse into a circus tent.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 2, 2015 10:22:18 GMT -5
Hell Mike, the whole world is already laughing at us.
I've never owned a confederate flag, but with all the B.S. going on I think I'll buy one, just to piss off the liberals.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 1, 2015 22:00:23 GMT -5
Worked perfectly for 6 straight bids. Sniped all 6.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 1, 2015 21:29:06 GMT -5
I'll be bidding in a few minutes. We'll see what happens.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 1, 2015 17:59:49 GMT -5
The Libs are all about changing our history, or omitting it from being taught in our schools, all in the name of political correctness. I say enough of all of their B.S. Lets omit those who would change our history. Let them go out & work for a living for a change, instead of wasting our tax dollars on things meant to fit their political agenda.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 1, 2015 12:39:13 GMT -5
What part of Nebraska were you in ? In the north west corner you can find the Nebraska blue agate, and if you're lucky a Fairburn or 2. From there like Bob says, head north young man. South west corner of South Dakota is Fairburn country. But watch where you step or put your hands. It's also rattle snake country. Those buzztails protect their Fairburns.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jun 30, 2015 21:52:57 GMT -5
Anywhere from Wall Drugs west to the hills, if you see exposed gravel that isn't on posted private land it's worth a look. Fairburns have been found as far east as the west bank of the Missouri river, but anything east of Wall is rare. Most agates are found south of the highway, but some are found north too. The beds east of Fairburn are the oldest known beds, and are pretty well worked over, as is the area around Railroad Buttes, but a few nice agates are still being found in those areas. If you don't mind miles of walking, in and along the banks of Indian Creek is good, but watch for rattlers & mountain lions.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jun 29, 2015 19:58:53 GMT -5
Quote. -- Hi I am Kathy and I love rocks
Hi Kathy. You've taken the first step in curing your rock addiction. Now take two agates and call in the morning.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jun 27, 2015 12:11:57 GMT -5
What's a "golf pan" LOL.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jun 27, 2015 12:07:48 GMT -5
Nice batch of wood. Got a few nice prairie & bubble gum agates too. Sneaky Fairburns went into hiding when they saw you coming, LOL
It's a shame I didn't know you were headed that way. I could have put you in touch with a guy who would have lead you to the hot spots. Bob, sdgoldpanner is a member on here, but doesn't come on often. He lives in Rapid City, and is always looking for an excuse to go Fairburn hunting.
Did you see any of those buzz tailed snakes or buffalo while you were at the buttes ?
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