mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 26, 2017 5:07:58 GMT -5
Looks great!! It is hands down my favorite mineral!! I have a batch that just went into pre-polish last night.
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 26, 2017 5:04:33 GMT -5
I have one HF 3lb single barrel running now since the first of April and considering the amount of rock it has tumbled it has paid for itself. If it would quit today I would go buy another one. I have had my 2 lortones for a few years and they spin a little faster but I honestly don't see a difference other then the barrel nut
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 26, 2017 4:46:09 GMT -5
Welcome from SC!!
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 20, 2017 5:39:56 GMT -5
Wow!!poppy jasper!! I's like to get some of that. Looks great
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 20, 2017 5:35:19 GMT -5
WOW!!!! Awesome looking stones I love them all
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 17, 2017 8:07:23 GMT -5
Yup that is Conway for you LOL. Myrtle Beach has taken a turn in the wrong direction and it is trickling out to Conway. We bought a few acres in SW Virginia just off the blue ridge parkway and are planning on building something and getting out while property value is still high. We go to NC all during Fall and Spring to look for rocks. Our first trip is in October and cant wait to stock up. Where abouts are you in NC? oof, tell me about it. I got sick of myrtle after a few months but ended up staying a couple years lol. most of the people i knew ended up moving out to "conway" (not really conway but surrounding residential areas). That is very exciting ! I love the parkway/skyline drive and shenandoah NP. I am just up a little bit from you in wilmington. Im going out to the smokies/Nantahala in a week for general leisure, hiking and fishing, and will of course be looking for rocks. It will be my first time in the Bryson City area of the state. Awesome!!!! Be prepared to fall in love with the area. I stayed not far from Bryson City in Cullowhee. It was very hard to leave there and go home. We went rafting out at the New river outdoors center and lots of little mines all threw franklin. And more hiking trails then anywhere I've ever been in the world. Appalachian Trail to Charlies Bunion is still on my bucket list. Have fun out that way!!!!
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 17, 2017 7:34:06 GMT -5
Welcome from SC!!!! In the beginning I tumbled about 3 or 4 batches threw the first and 2nd stages before I ever move on so I have rocks ready at all times for a filler. I use a tumble-vibe for the polishing stages and having extra material has always worked out well for me. Just be sure to know the hardness of what you're working on and you will be fine. Best of luck!!!! Wonderful! I think I was too eager to get started and obviously started out a little sloppy heh : ) youre in conway? i lived in myrtle for a few years...used to go to conway all the time! mostly to drink beer and eat chicken bog Yup that is Conway for you LOL. Myrtle Beach has taken a turn in the wrong direction and it is trickling out to Conway. We bought a few acres in SW Virginia just off the blue ridge parkway and are planning on building something and getting out while property value is still high. We go to NC all during Fall and Spring to look for rocks. Our first trip is in October and cant wait to stock up. Where abouts are you in NC?
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 17, 2017 7:26:22 GMT -5
Welcome from SC crystaltreefrog I am also a huge fan of Tigers eye and got my nicest blue tigers eye from a member on this forum so definitely watch the classified section. The best golden tigers eye I got was from greatrough.com and time to time they get some Australian Marra Mamba tigers eye (My favorite). I've seen a lot of nice Dragons Eye on Amazon but I got a few crappy orders from on there and now message the seller to make sure the picture matches what you will be receiving before buying. Best of luck!!
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 17, 2017 6:59:06 GMT -5
Welcome from SC!!!! In the beginning I tumbled about 3 or 4 batches threw the first and 2nd stages before I ever move on so I have rocks ready at all times for a filler. I use a tumble-vibe for the polishing stages and having extra material has always worked out well for me. Just be sure to know the hardness of what you're working on and you will be fine. Best of luck!!!!
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 16, 2017 19:43:34 GMT -5
Well because of the help from you all I might possibly create my first cab in the morning. Thank you all for the help and guidance and I will post a picture of what comes of this. Thanks again
20170916_200057-1 by David Lesko, on Flickr
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 16, 2017 5:52:56 GMT -5
I have a 10" slab saw and also a 7" tile saw but it seems like the dremel diamond wheel would be easier to cut the shapes with (Less grinding/shaping). Am I wrong? I am actually going to Home Depot as soon as my son wakes up so I can pickup my flex hose, drill press, and a few grinding wheels.
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 14, 2017 17:10:00 GMT -5
Dave - I order a lot from Amazon... Saw: Dremel EZ545 1-1/2 in. EZ lock Diamond Wheel ~$20 each (OUCH!!!) When working with hard stone - like Agate slabs - expect to go through a few of these in a sitting. I would like to know if there is a place to send used blades to get them re-coated with diamond dust - could save some $$$ there. (these require a Dremel EZ402 lock mandrel ~$9.50 - re-usable. Regular ones have a screw-on shaft - Dremel #545) Small Saws: Soledi 10-piece Cutting Disks 22mm Sharp Vented Rotary Diamond Mandrel Dremel Tools - pack of 10 for ~$8. I like using these on brittle stones like Obsidian and Malichite... a thin blade - not as rough as the Dremel 545 blade... but do not last as long. Grinding Wheel (I use a lot of these... my Fav!): Diamond Wheel Lapidary Grinding Tool 3/8" Fits Dremel. ~$12 each (another OUCH!!!). Available from "Generic" - non-Dremel sources, but sold at Amazon. As with the saws... I would like to know if there is a place to send used wheels to get them re-coated with diamond dust (maybe another Forum member knows where?...). If you buy either wheel or saw that has the tool screwed into a shaft, check the screw tightness out first. About 20% of the grinding wheels had loose screws that caused the wheel to spin on top of the shaft. I put a drop of very thin and fast Starbond epoxy on the screw before using - LockTite would work well also. Thank you so much Glenn!!!! You just saved me hours of researching and pricing. I will order it threw Amazon since you know all of it works for what you do. Thanks again
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 14, 2017 6:09:59 GMT -5
gmitch067 I am shopping Home Depot online for the cut off wheel and can't see the one you have. Is it Dremel brand? Also which is the main bit you use for shaping after cutting? Is the cut off wheel this one? Dremel 7/8 in. Diamond Rotary Tool Wheel for Marble, Concrete, Brick, Porcelain, Ceramics and Epoxies Model# 545
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 14, 2017 4:19:20 GMT -5
Thanks so much gmitch067 this all was extremely helpful!!!!
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 14, 2017 4:10:54 GMT -5
Awesome congrats to ChicagoDave & Jugglerguy
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 14, 2017 4:05:47 GMT -5
Welcome from South Carolina!!!!
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 13, 2017 5:26:43 GMT -5
Welcome from SC
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 12, 2017 4:56:57 GMT -5
They all look awesome!!!! I wished I lived closer to my rock hounding grounds.
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 10, 2017 15:09:35 GMT -5
I got it finally....thank you!
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 10, 2017 14:49:57 GMT -5
Hey all,,another member talked me into saving some rough that I had no plans for and talked me into something I have been wanting to do for a long time (hand cabbing w/dremel) so I decided to start this thread to show you all my progress and get all the tips I can along the way. Since I talked with her I went out in the shop and cut it to about the size I thought would be good and then found a printable template for cabochons. I stopped there because maybe the shape is important on my first try and thought I would ask here. I also finally figured out flickr and how to post pictures,,,,,woohoooo,,,,huge accomplishment for me!!!! So here is what I got and I'm relying on you good people to point me in the right direction from here. 20170910_150041 by David Lesko, on Flickr
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