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Post by Peruano on Jan 6, 2024 8:29:55 GMT -5
Last online in Sept. Usually a frequ ent poster.
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Post by Peruano on Dec 20, 2023 18:34:44 GMT -5
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Post by Peruano on Dec 20, 2023 18:20:45 GMT -5
Chalcedony roses are like graduate students. You never know how they will turn out but some are spectacular The vibe is sure useful in treating them and you should not be afraid of roughing them up. They are made tough.
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Post by Peruano on Dec 19, 2023 17:55:46 GMT -5
90% of that discoloration is organic; thus I"m guessing that a detergent with something like oxyclean or other enzyme action is likely to be much more effective than just acid or bleach. These roses are amazingly rough and a bit of action in the vibe will smooth them out and enhance their appearance at the same time. I do use something small and hard as filler when in the vibe. I have some garnet gravel, but a good decomposed granite might work as well, just not so much that you turn it into inert sludge. You need action in the bowl.
I'd also consider an ultrasonic cleaner for these. I talked with a guy with a really elaborate stone necklace at a show and he told me that heating the 7-up before the soak was important to its efficacy. Give me a hot 7-up please.
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Post by Peruano on Dec 19, 2023 13:22:02 GMT -5
I use hard wood tooth picks, dipped in vaseline and then in various grits and mounted on my Dremel. Thats for the grooves and corners. I've tried to improvise polishing pads using the green scratchos and swatches of leather, but they don't last long in the Dremel application. Some of the little abrasive bits sold by Kingsley North will work but they are a bit pricey unless you are really having fun.
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Post by Peruano on Dec 19, 2023 13:15:08 GMT -5
Its almost an annual tradition for me to transplant and try to save some volunteer seedling plant or two from my compost pile. One year it will be pumpkin, the next a spaghetti squash, and even a cucumber. Me I'm a big fan of pumpkin blossums, but given enough egg and cracker crumbs a lot of these flowers will work. Hey they have to pruned a bit to let the fruit develop.
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Post by Peruano on Dec 19, 2023 7:48:37 GMT -5
Beautiful squash, but you seem to be getting the zucchini panic with your seed offer. I'm interested in seeds. PM with address sent. Do you want red chile seeds in exchange?
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Post by Peruano on Dec 15, 2023 12:16:23 GMT -5
Did she specifically say you couldn't plug it in? The hum shouldn't bother the festivities and by Christmas day you should have your first batch done and be well into your second. Enjoy.
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Post by Peruano on Dec 15, 2023 12:12:35 GMT -5
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Post by Peruano on Dec 12, 2023 9:59:28 GMT -5
Read weaker not water. Damned auto correct.
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Post by Peruano on Dec 12, 2023 9:58:01 GMT -5
I recommend Earth magnets vs the thinner picture flexible versions. The latter are water and lose grip if no totally incontact. Broken stones are sadness.
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Post by Peruano on Dec 9, 2023 7:09:26 GMT -5
That's cool and an infinitely useful resourse. You can track how roads and streets track ravines and other contours, among other things. Maps are wonderful.
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Post by Peruano on Dec 8, 2023 20:12:16 GMT -5
It's fun to create ways to encourage (did I say make) people to look at and appreciate the beauty of stones.The line between frig magnets, windows Sun catchers or Xmas tree ornaments is diffuse. Did I say money clips, card holders or pocket rocks? Share the word. Stones rock!
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Post by Peruano on Dec 4, 2023 13:43:39 GMT -5
With such a large pulley on the saw arbor, it seems it would have a terribly slow rpm. It's hard to tell but it seems that the tank bottom is sloped with the deepest part of the well under the blade. I seem to recall a couple of commercial saws that used that idea to reduce oil requirements. It looks like the vice would take a big rock.
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Post by Peruano on Dec 1, 2023 10:06:00 GMT -5
Anything heavy, larger than the greatest circumference of the specimen being polished, and easy (of feasible) to remove when you are done, will work. I was frustrated by polish becoming embedded in the sides of the specimen being polished (i.e. unpolished surfaces)so I would be tempted to try to cover lateral surfaces with sections of inner tubes or ?? Folks talk about lead weights, sections of other stones, etc. but what you use depends on what you have and how much weight you need. I noticed a commercial outfit using plaster of paris with several stones embedded in it on a circular flat lap, but p of p may be too soft for the action of a vibratory lap. It is important to sandwich a degradable layer between the specimen and the weight to facilitate a soak for removal.
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Post by Peruano on Nov 27, 2023 8:07:27 GMT -5
Most of my rough is stored outside (uv light is a concern for all plastic bags and many of the containers mentioned so far). I use the black plastic uv resistant tubs that nursery plants come in. They drain, they resist uv degradation, and come in a variety of sizes. I do throw a cloth or paper towel in the bottom to reduce spillage if small material is likely to be stored. Inside the shop I use everything from cigar boxes to dollar store bins.
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Post by Peruano on Nov 18, 2023 8:00:23 GMT -5
Neet stuff; do you suppose it is formed under water?
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Post by Peruano on Nov 18, 2023 7:57:32 GMT -5
Congratulations on the new toy. Actually, it's not a toy; 10" is a very versatile size and once you realize its capabilities, you will tend to select stones of the appropriate size and shape to allow it to do its job. Bigger is not always better. I'm a strong believer in Raytech saws because of how easy they are to clean (plastic tray lining tank), so much so that I have one that I'm just beginning to restore, even though I have other slab saws that meet my modest needs. I'm working on a real ugly duckling that has been neglected for several years, but it has promise. Cheers.
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Post by Peruano on Nov 10, 2023 20:12:18 GMT -5
Barranca Diamond took over star diamond and provides manuals for all currently producedodels (in case your saw looks similar). Check their site. Some hp parts are potentially compatible as well.
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Post by Peruano on Nov 10, 2023 20:01:36 GMT -5
Slab saws don't really need manuals. They consist of bearings, shafts, threaded rods and things that fi those components. Ask questions when problems arise. This forum has lots of tips on how to run a slab saw. Info not usually in an equipment manual. Go forth and cut away.
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