mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Feb 9, 2012 8:40:02 GMT -5
A big thank you to Randy for wrapping this jasper point I made! I had initially sent it along with the jasper cab for the competition thinking a sort of combination pendant but, I'd glad Randy did his thing and wrapped them separately. Thanks! Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Feb 7, 2012 8:49:02 GMT -5
Looks like a good time to me!
Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Feb 1, 2012 10:20:02 GMT -5
I'm a knapper and a lapidary and have heated lots of rock for both purposes. In the knapping world, we have rock recipes (think cookbook) that have been tested and used for years by other flintknappers. I took a look at the agates that you want to heat treat; I don't think I've ever seen a recipe for it. That means you'll have to experiment more. Here is the best fit I can think for your stone. First, you don't want to try to heat the pieces if they are thicker than 2 inches. Slabs heat treat better and in a more regular way than odd shaped thick nodules; think about how a turkey needs longer to cook because the heat has to get in to the center... same thing with rock. Now, you don't have to use a sand bath but, I would recommend it because if they blow, the sand will stop any potlids (shrapnel) from escaping into the kiln. Use any pan that you can put in the oven. You'll start them at 250 and hold them there for an hour and then raise the temperature 50 degrees each hour until you hit 500. Then let them soak at 500 for about 4-5 hours. Turn the kiln off and let it cool on its own; if the stones are exposed to cool air they will craze and crack and be worthless. When you take them out of the bath (should be cool to the touch) you should see the red colors you are after, if not you'll have to repeat the whole process and go to 550. I know that 50 degrees doesn't seem like much but, you can lose a whole batch of rock due to 25 degrees. If you do see the reds, they may only be skin deep... so you'll have to test one and make sure the heat penetrated deep enough in to the stone. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.
Good luck! Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Jan 28, 2012 11:53:27 GMT -5
Technically, they are all SiO2 plus other elements that give them color. At least, that's what I tell my students.
Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Jan 24, 2012 9:45:19 GMT -5
One of my buddies got the 18" saw for $600. He's very pleased! Wish I could have gone!
Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Jan 23, 2012 11:26:14 GMT -5
I'm in! Add me as a cabber.
Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Jan 20, 2012 10:00:34 GMT -5
I sent the link to a friend who lives about an hour from there. Thanks for the post! Hopefully, he'll share some of the spoils with me if he goes!
Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Jan 20, 2012 9:42:02 GMT -5
Yeah, it's tough when you get in a rut! That big and beautiful cab rut will get you every time.
Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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OMG 1
Jan 18, 2012 10:39:27 GMT -5
Post by mjflinty on Jan 18, 2012 10:39:27 GMT -5
Impressive!
Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Jan 16, 2012 18:29:33 GMT -5
I'm a fan of the Pigeon Blood, one of my favorite materials!
Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Jan 12, 2012 15:32:34 GMT -5
Second that! I was very pleased with my last order and the shipping fee.
Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Grits
Jan 11, 2012 8:04:36 GMT -5
Post by mjflinty on Jan 11, 2012 8:04:36 GMT -5
By all means skip it, I do this regularly with quartz pebbles from the ocean. I use them as fill (top off the load) for my 220 stage grind. I see no difference in the final polish.
Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Jan 10, 2012 8:39:19 GMT -5
Those are some crazy cool slabs!
Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Jan 10, 2012 8:37:37 GMT -5
Very brilliant, literally!
Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Jan 4, 2012 7:49:51 GMT -5
Tough to pick out a favorite! They all look great!
Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Dec 30, 2011 6:20:43 GMT -5
Yup, welcome to the heaviest hobby out there! Good to hear your daughter is digging it; we need more pebble pups!
Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Dec 24, 2011 15:47:01 GMT -5
Very neat! I like how you framed the dendrite within the agate.
Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Dec 24, 2011 15:39:14 GMT -5
Yup, they are all replicas of types that were made in prehistory.
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Dec 24, 2011 8:14:20 GMT -5
The center point is 1 1/2 inches long.
Thanks for all the good words everyone.
Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Dec 23, 2011 8:41:54 GMT -5
Hi All, Ted (tandl) sent me a box of rocks he collected locally in Illinois to see if I could chip out some arrowheads for him. Much to my surprise he sent some Attica chert (aka Indiana Green) and some of it was good enough to knap. Here's a picture of the points I've made so far. Happy Holidays, Michael
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