ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on Aug 1, 2014 22:49:20 GMT -5
Hello Erik - I know I may be a little late here for you. The last time I visited Helena, ( some years ago, now ), I made it a point to meet, visit and speak with the Rock & Gem Club President. He lived in Helena. The President was a first class welcoming committee & ambassador for Rock & Gem enthusiasts etc. He invited us over. Pick up numerous rocks & samples that he offered from his back yard. His collection and knowledge of the area was outstanding. He was an avid collector and his knowledge of current places in the area to collect was above an beyond what you will find in the Manual. The club was full of very courteous and helpful individuals. If you have the time, take the time to visit The President, or any of the other club members and you Will Not come away disappointed.
Please don't misunderstand me - Rockin around Montana is very nicely done and will help you! Good luck & keep us posted how you made out. IV
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on Jul 30, 2014 15:27:09 GMT -5
I had to purchase a new blade for my trim saw. I got a Baranca 303C in 6". When it came it had all these little dings on the inside surfaces. It is supposed to be brand new. When I wrote the seller he replied: "These marks are on all new thinner blades from Barranca, it is how they true the blades."
Is this true? The blade appears to be true, but I haven't mounted it yet to be sure. What do you all think?
Thanks for taking the time to post your experience with Baranca. Will be looking forward to a couple of things here? First of all what your reply is from Baranca? AND if possible, who the Seller is/was that is selling these? Again, thank you very much! IV
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on Jul 5, 2014 23:52:38 GMT -5
There are infinite approaches to creating a jewelry piece but if you are only working in silver I have to wonder what would justify $1700 for a rolling mill just to produce wire. $1700 would get you a lot of silver wire but on the other hand if you are recycling gold the machine becomes very practical. Don Appreciate your perspective, thoughts, and suggestions. Thank you very much! IV
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on Jul 2, 2014 22:13:42 GMT -5
Thanks for taking the time to reply. That would explain much of the story. I would dread the thought of an artistic do it yourself enterprising individual wanting to make a large or not so large quantity of round wire to experiment. So, for now, I guess it would come down to saving time by purchasing wire to be cost effective. ..... IV
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on Jul 2, 2014 1:11:49 GMT -5
Just a thought! After the rolling mill thread was started thought I would ask the board if anybody has been able to locate an economy rolling mill capable of rolling out round wire? Unless I'm mistaken, most if not all, of the econo mills are manufactured to produce different sizes of square wire. The term wire sort of implies rd wire. When in reality it is actually square wire that it produces. In order to get round wire You need a draw plate to make the various gauges of Round wire.
I put on hold the rd wire rolling mill idea some years ago when I was in the market for an Econo rolling mill. I found that the costs, if you can find one, of a rd. wire rolling mill is substantially higher than the eco mills that come with a number of patterns & rollers. For example, Ottofrei had one capable of rolling 1 - 10 gauge Rd. wire for around 1700 dollars.
Would like to hear from others that may have a similar interest and been able to pursue this further. Your thoughts, suggestions, & ideas would be appreciated. Thank you very much! IV
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on Jul 1, 2014 14:38:42 GMT -5
A rolling mill would be a fine addition to a shop. What I've found, after I purchased my cost effective sq. half wire, an sheet wire mill years ago, is that it is rather difficult to find an affordable mill that will roll out round wire, do sheet or do rd wire. Maybe I'm mistaken, so correct me if I'm wrong? If it's going to be used for texturing then that would be an interesting & awesome way to go about it. But as of today I have not been able to locate an affordable rd wire mill. Hope that you are able to find what you're looking for? IV
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on Jun 25, 2014 19:57:04 GMT -5
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on Jun 1, 2014 2:02:40 GMT -5
Nice material & excellent job of wrapping. Thanks for taking the time to present all photos & views of your finished work! .... Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 23, 2014 21:29:57 GMT -5
Very nicely done! The photos of the different positions are appreciated....thanks for sharing - Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 22, 2014 21:05:01 GMT -5
We are all glad that with some, maybe a lot of patience & understanding that the deal turned out just as good for you as The Old School Rock Shop. Looks like pretty decent material. Now you'll have to post photos on your projects. Thanks for keeping us up to date. Believe it or not most of us like to hear about stories with happy endings. ..... Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 22, 2014 15:10:49 GMT -5
We are having some strong thunderstorms and I keep losing DSL. However I believe your question has been covered quite well. Hope it all works out for you. Thanks for posting your excellent specimen.
Also want to thank debt193redux for the links and information. A lot of excellent information. I bookmarked them for later study. Not familiar with sodium dithionite but will have to research it. Sounds promising....... Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 22, 2014 15:01:46 GMT -5
That is extraordinary and evidently quite rare. First one I've seen. I often wondered why we don't see more of these shells, etc, agatized? Nice ...... thanks for posting! Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 22, 2014 14:46:55 GMT -5
The material doesn't look too bad from the color corrected photo's that have been posted. Unless I'm mistaken most of the seller's/traders, etc. will wet the material being photographed. The people here on the board that sell, post, or trade do it many times. It will enhanced the appearance of the material and give the prospective buyer an idea of what it will look like polished. However and most of all it should be noted on the person's photos if any enhancement has been done. I'm sure there may be other options? Just my 2 cents. Thanks for posting ...... Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 17, 2014 23:42:32 GMT -5
Thanks for the note. That's my problem I should of done my homework and searched out the board. Old newbie here so I have a lot to learn about the board, etc. Will check out your link you posted, first of all. Thank you ..... Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 17, 2014 23:06:53 GMT -5
Excellent & original. Do you have any pictures of the what the back of your treasure looks like for inquiring minds? Thank you ..... Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 17, 2014 23:02:41 GMT -5
Who would of thunk that this material would do up so beautifully. Very attractive! I wouldn't even thought about taking this for granite. Thank you! Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 17, 2014 22:35:32 GMT -5
Very nicely done & fascinating. Trying to interpolate in my mind the procedures you used to put your art works together. Thanks for sharing & posting. Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 17, 2014 12:47:07 GMT -5
Hi Gene - They all look quite nice! Like the materials, photos and the way you labeled everything. Can't help you out much about a name for the mystery agates? The preforms are interesting. At some time, maybe, would like to endeavor doing preformed cabs in the tumbler. Thanks for sharing ..... Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 16, 2014 15:15:00 GMT -5
Hello and yes I've posted some questions on the orientation & cutting of star rough. With the help and direction of our board family I was able to purchase some various star rough (star garnet & star quartz) and able to make some progress. Here's my dilemma? I considering purchasing some star sapphire rough & not sure just how to find the "c" axis to locate the star. The material is more rough pieces and not crystalline in appearance, which I presume would be easier to located the "c" axis if crystalline? This is all an adventure and learning experience for this old newbie. Any an all suggestions, advice, input & direction would be very much appreciated! Thank you very much! Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 15, 2014 22:20:41 GMT -5
Thank you for your help & David for getting the photo set up. Will have to see if I can put it all together next time Ivan
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