MetaMoose
having dreams about rocks
@MetaMoosehead on Twitter
Member since July 2021
Posts: 74
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Post by MetaMoose on Apr 3, 2023 13:23:52 GMT -5
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Post by chris1956 on Apr 3, 2023 14:36:23 GMT -5
Awesome cabs! Really like the green one.
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,980
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Post by khara on Apr 3, 2023 15:13:46 GMT -5
Wow, those are gorgeous cabs! Very nice. Would love to see some of your workshop too!
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 3, 2023 15:54:35 GMT -5
MetaMoose - Matt, those look fantastic!! - That first one is a dead-ringer for a Teepee Canyon Agate...and a freakin' gorgeous one at that! Is that a Teepee Canyon Agate??
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MetaMoose
having dreams about rocks
@MetaMoosehead on Twitter
Member since July 2021
Posts: 74
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Post by MetaMoose on Apr 3, 2023 20:10:56 GMT -5
MetaMoose - Matt, those look fantastic!! - That first one is a dead-ringer for a Teepee Canyon Agate...and a freakin' gorgeous one at that! Is that a Teepee Canyon Agate?? It is indeed a teepee canyon agate! Nice call. When I first got into lapidary, I was able to connect with a local estate lapidary auction and got a small teepee slab. I've always loved that small pendant you see there, it is one of my favorites. |
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MetaMoose
having dreams about rocks
@MetaMoosehead on Twitter
Member since July 2021
Posts: 74
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Post by MetaMoose on Apr 3, 2023 20:15:11 GMT -5
Awesome cabs! Really like the green one. Thank you very much. The green is Kambala Jasper (which is not at all a Jasper, of course). Here's a pic of it on the saw:  |
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 3, 2023 20:15:52 GMT -5
MetaMoose - Matt, those look fantastic!! - That first one is a dead-ringer for a Teepee Canyon Agate...and a freakin' gorgeous one at that! Is that a Teepee Canyon Agate?? It is indeed a teepee canyon agate! Nice call. When I first got into lapidary, I was able to connect with a local estate lapidary auction and got a small teepee slab. I've always loved that small pendant you see there, it is one of my favorites. Teepees are SO prone to fractures...which yours is fracture free...and the fortification pattern is GREAT! It look like it's got the red/orange "normal" colors on the outside of the pattern...and the less common yellow interior...and the REALLY less common purple/lavender banding in there as well! Seriously killer piece there Matt!!! (And you nailed it on the polish!!)  |
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MetaMoose
having dreams about rocks
@MetaMoosehead on Twitter
Member since July 2021
Posts: 74
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Post by MetaMoose on Apr 3, 2023 20:32:36 GMT -5
Wow, those are gorgeous cabs! Very nice. Would love to see some of your workshop too! Thank you. Here's a candid picture, it is in my garage. It doesnt show much/detail, but you'll get the idea. Equipment: Water hookup/pressure regulator for hose (back left) 20" HP slab saw (left) 10" super old 10" HP saw refurb (right) 6" Lortone trim saw (right) Kingsley North 8" Cabbing machine (left) Homemade 8" grinding wheel 46grit (center back) 12" Crystalmaster pro flat lap (center) 8" Expando drums (right back) 18" Vibrating lap (floor, not visible) Lortone model 33(?) rotary tumbler (back, obscured) Dop station (back obscured) Laminate bench tables, homemade Amazing articulating light/magnifying glass (on table) Table turned on its side as a barrier to keep the toddler out  |
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MetaMoose
having dreams about rocks
@MetaMoosehead on Twitter
Member since July 2021
Posts: 74
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Post by MetaMoose on Apr 3, 2023 20:41:39 GMT -5
It is indeed a teepee canyon agate! Nice call. When I first got into lapidary, I was able to connect with a local estate lapidary auction and got a small teepee slab. I've always loved that small pendant you see there, it is one of my favorites. Teepees are SO prone to fractures...which yours is fracture free...and the fortification pattern is GREAT! It look like it's got the red/orange "normal" colors on the outside of the pattern...and the less common yellow interior...and the REALLY less common purple/lavender banding in there as well! Seriously killer piece there Matt!!! (And you nailed it on the polish!!) Thank you. That is really kind - I appreciate it I loved it so much I tried buying more teepee rough, but it was a bust. I keep my eyes out for it, those fortifications spoiled me and I would love to see more I have a bit left from the original slab that made this piece, let me see if I can dig up a photo. Edit: here it is, I polished it, but I consider it unfinished. I've considered using this to make a pendant/earring set with the one you've seen, but I've never made up my mind.  |
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 3, 2023 20:58:29 GMT -5
Teepees are SO prone to fractures...which yours is fracture free...and the fortification pattern is GREAT! It look like it's got the red/orange "normal" colors on the outside of the pattern...and the less common yellow interior...and the REALLY less common purple/lavender banding in there as well! Seriously killer piece there Matt!!! (And you nailed it on the polish!!) Thank you. That is really kind - I appreciate it I loved it so much I tried buying more teepee rough, but it was a bust. I keep my eyes out for it, those fortifications spoiled me and I would love to see more I have a bit left from the original slab that made this piece, let me see if I can dig up a photo. Edit: here it is, I polished it, but I consider it unfinished. I've considered using this to make a pendant/earring set with the one you've seen, but I've never made up my mind. I've got a LOT of "B" grade Teepee Canyon rough (it's local for me - and I've collected it)...and a LOT of B or C grade slabs. I consider that piece of yours as a high A grade! Personally, I wouldn't break up that piece above...at all! To me, that fortification pattern deserves to be left intact...due to the fact most of the pieces like that one have fractures. Thanks for digging up that picture! (I started a Teepee Canyon Agate thread awhile back...I freakin' love this material! LOL) |
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MetaMoose
having dreams about rocks
@MetaMoosehead on Twitter
Member since July 2021
Posts: 74
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Post by MetaMoose on Apr 3, 2023 21:08:01 GMT -5
I appreciate that, I'll take that advice. I've always hesitated to work it, it is such a nice fortification. You probably just helped seal its fate as a permanent piece |
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 3, 2023 21:23:08 GMT -5
I appreciate that, I'll take that advice. I've always hesitated to work it, it is such a nice fortification. You probably just helped seal its fate as a permanent piece  |
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,980
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Post by khara on Apr 4, 2023 0:12:37 GMT -5
Very nice setup. 👍 What do you typically use the 46 grit homemade wheel and the expando drums for? I imagine the 46 grit is just a more aggressive quicker removal method if needed. I haven’t ever used expando wheels. Do you find them useful for something the cabbing machine can’t do as well?
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 4, 2023 8:50:49 GMT -5
Beautiful! I especially like the first one- impressive. Your "shop" is awesome!! |
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MetaMoose
having dreams about rocks
@MetaMoosehead on Twitter
Member since July 2021
Posts: 74
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Post by MetaMoose on Apr 5, 2023 8:03:12 GMT -5
Very nice setup. 👍 What do you typically use the 46 grit homemade wheel and the expando drums for? I imagine the 46 grit is just a more aggressive quicker removal method if needed. I haven’t ever used expando wheels. Do you find them useful for something the cabbing machine can’t do as well? Hi Khara - The 46 grit grinding wheel is one of my most frequently used tools (maybe even my most) - I use it for lots of material removal and shaping. It is really helpful removing trouble spots or prep for tumbling, shaping for larger pieces, and early stage cab preparation. I also use it to help knock down sections when fitting large rocks into the slab saw. It is an overall go-to. It is aggressive and will produce small chipping by nature, so I don't use it near any final edges. But for loose shapes, it is great. The expando drums have more space to work with and more contact area. They pick up work that the cabbing machine isnt best for - typically larger pieces and finishing grits for flats. Matt |
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,980
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Post by khara on Apr 5, 2023 9:26:46 GMT -5
Thanks MetaMoose Ya, sounds like good equipment to have. It really can make a huge difference just having the right tools as opposed to trying to use something that’s not quite right for the job. |
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