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Post by greig on Apr 23, 2022 20:51:03 GMT -5
I like process videos. That was really cool to see it go from the ground to faceted. I like the trillion best.
All it takes is one or two bad apples to spoil the bunch.
About what percent of the crystals that you find are facet-able?
I tried to be picky and left quite a few that were questionable. After cleaning and tumbling, less than 10% were clear without inclusions.
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Post by greig on Apr 22, 2022 18:44:09 GMT -5
This spot is now closed to collecting. Dang. I thought it was magical. Some ruined it by camping, lighting fires and later someone else staking a mineral claim across their property. It was private property (surface rights), but they didn't care until it became a problem.
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Post by greig on Apr 21, 2022 21:20:58 GMT -5
Very cool greig . Love that you collected them. Anything special to share about tumbling the quartz ? The trillium is my favorite. Thanks for sharing, Patty Like agate, one of the best materials to tumble (for the same reasons)
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Post by greig on Apr 21, 2022 21:19:41 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for the great advice. I don't have a drill press so I'll probably practice with a Dremel on some "throwaway" rocks I have and see how it goes before I attempt the ones my wife wants to make pendants with :-) I also use glue on bails fyi. "One time I was making a model, and I glued the wing to a B-17 bomber to my bird by accident" -Bubbles
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Post by greig on Apr 20, 2022 18:09:56 GMT -5
I have to cross the border. I suspect it is about 8 hours away. Approximately 4 hours from the embassador bridge in Detroit Mi and a titch over 5 hours from the Bluewater bridge. My husband and I are 4 hours away but we will go down the night before so we can get a good nap in before its collection time. PM me where you are staying and I will book the same place.
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Post by greig on Apr 20, 2022 18:06:57 GMT -5
I use a few that were found in the tile section in a big box store (for drilling tile). Worked great. I put the stone into a plastic bowl of water with a thin piece of wood under the stone. If I cut too far, no big deal.
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Post by greig on Apr 20, 2022 12:46:29 GMT -5
Wishing Bill all the best. Keep strong!
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Post by greig on Apr 20, 2022 12:44:26 GMT -5
That collecting place is on my bucket list. I'd be interested Would love for you to come. Are you close or have a far drive I have to cross the border. I suspect it is about 8 hours away.
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Post by greig on Apr 20, 2022 11:50:33 GMT -5
The rocks don't care about the barrel and it will work if it fits. The quality of the barrel might be different. The 1.5 lb Lortone will fit the 3A, but it is really for smaller rocks (not efficient rolling). The answer is to run each stage a bit longer.
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Post by greig on Apr 20, 2022 11:44:32 GMT -5
Some ground coffee used to come with a free 1 tbsp. That is what I still use.
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Post by greig on Apr 20, 2022 11:42:29 GMT -5
That collecting place is on my bucket list. I'd be interested
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Post by greig on Apr 20, 2022 11:41:05 GMT -5
I never thought there was too much soap, other than it being a waste. However, here is the wrong type of soap, but Ivory is fine. You want to avoid soap that has additives. I have had success using warm clean water and running a tumble for a half hour or more to clean things that I thought were clean. I suspect putting the rocks into the dishwasher cutlery tray would work too.
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Post by greig on Apr 20, 2022 8:05:17 GMT -5
You might like this short video. I collected and tumbled clear quartz and had a friend create some faceted stones.
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Post by greig on Apr 19, 2022 16:02:43 GMT -5
What is the need that you are trying to fulfill? I have various picks for different uses. Typically, the longer handle is better but more difficult to carry.
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Post by greig on Apr 19, 2022 15:59:27 GMT -5
What did you use to clean your rocks after the last stage? I am wondering if something is causing a chemical reaction making gas.
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Post by greig on Apr 18, 2022 12:54:24 GMT -5
What size is your saw relative to the rock? Sometimes, you have an equipment restriction to take into account. Then it depends what you want to do with the cut rock. For example, you won't want to cut a window if the desire is to keep the rind untouched. If you will cut slabs for cabbing, then that won't matter much.
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Post by greig on Apr 15, 2022 12:00:58 GMT -5
What's the width of the rod? Would a cut bicycle inner tube work?
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Post by greig on Apr 14, 2022 7:41:09 GMT -5
Like anything, it depends: how long you have been running, type of rock, stage, how long offline, etc. A soft rock, early stage grit and the longer you have been doing the tumble will all make a thicker slurry and something that may settle and harden faster. If you are going to turn it off, you are better off to do a quick clean out and restart later with new grit.
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Post by greig on Apr 13, 2022 11:08:47 GMT -5
I installed two solar powered roof vents near the peak in my garage. They have a built in fan with a thermal switch, that turn on when hot inside. They are quiet and work like a charm. It used to get really hot in there.
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Post by greig on Apr 12, 2022 13:53:42 GMT -5
Novice tip - have patience Pro tip - refer to novice tip.
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