wargrafix
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Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,020
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Post by wargrafix on Jun 11, 2023 22:07:57 GMT -5
Hi, so in the intro section I talked about my love of geology, especially geodes. My experience in them is limited. Forgive my long-form post
The first geodes I got were cut ones from Brazil, and many...many year later my kid got a national geographic 2 geode kit and we broke them and they were Moroccan types. I order predominantly from amazon but I am now getting into ebay. I bought the 15 pack from Net geo and it was an ok variety. One from Mexico but most are morrocan and a few varied here and there.
Hammer and chisel for the opening of those, but I prefer the flat cut surfaces. While we do have hardwares and an oil based economy, industrial equipment tends to be rare and crap quality. Not a single pipe cutter.....trust me I tried. Online, the prices are 700 to 900 USD, but even if my kid likes geodes, I cant justify the cost.
I feel scatter brained as I am diving into the hobby, but I have an I idea what I like.
1) To cut future geodes I would be looking at a tile saw, is this one a good one for beginners?
2) Source for unopened geodes have presented the biggest challenge. I am no kicking a gift horse in the mouth, but I expected better from nat geo. They used to stand for quality and it looks like those days long passed. I am in Trinidad, but for US and other shipping, there is a skybox address I use.
I have another 15 box, but I will wait on the tile saw before cracking those open.
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Post by manofglass on Jun 12, 2023 14:22:54 GMT -5
Use a dewalt XP4 7" or a MK303 blade you can find both at Amazon.com the MK303 will cut with water
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
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Post by dillonf on Jun 12, 2023 19:14:31 GMT -5
A tile saw is pretty good - Hi Tech blades are affordable & meant for water, but only come in 6" 8" and 10" sizes. The MK303 is better. Good sources for geodes are: gemcenterwholesale and the gem shop (the amethyst "geodes" at the gem shop are not what you may think - PM me for clarity).Gem center has all sizes, the gem shop has small sizes.
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rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,368
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Post by rocknewb101 on Jun 13, 2023 8:05:36 GMT -5
I'm not sure about sourcing in Trinidad, but I've ordered uncut geodes through Roughstone.com before. They are typical clear crystal - but they are beautiful inside. I got different sizing - 1 1/2" - 3" and was very happy with all of them. I just have a small hi-tech trim saw and also a tile saw, but both blades are smaller and make cutting bigger rocks difficult.
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wargrafix
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,020
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Post by wargrafix on Jun 16, 2023 11:54:37 GMT -5
Looks at prices at geodes. Oh, I am tempted! I have to order the tilesaw this weekend
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wargrafix
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,020
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Post by wargrafix on Jun 16, 2023 12:01:54 GMT -5
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wargrafix
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,020
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Post by wargrafix on Jun 28, 2023 11:42:16 GMT -5
Are there areas possible geodes are found that are new or not well known?
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wargrafix
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,020
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Post by wargrafix on Jul 3, 2023 21:33:05 GMT -5
Here are some recent acquisitions. I will be getting tile saw, very soon. Hopefully this is a start to a long great journey
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Post by jasoninsd on Jul 3, 2023 21:39:13 GMT -5
Nice new acquisitions wargrafix ! The blade you asked about would work on geodes. There are similar blades on eBay that get shipped from China that would also do the trick...and look to be the same blades really: www.ebay.com/itm/124096552353
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wargrafix
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,020
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Post by wargrafix on Jul 3, 2023 21:45:26 GMT -5
Thank you! I understand that the thinner blades are more desirable, right? Paid a bit for those geodes, pretty sure I got ripped, but not too badly
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Post by 1dave on Jul 7, 2023 3:23:30 GMT -5
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wargrafix
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Post by wargrafix on Jul 7, 2023 3:33:44 GMT -5
dave! Thank you!
Take a wild guess who picked up a Skil 7 wet tile saw yesterday?
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Post by 1dave on Jul 7, 2023 3:50:07 GMT -5
dave! Thank you! Take a wild guess who picked up a Skil 7 wet tile saw yesterday? Now the fun begins! Especially if your children "help" you.
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wargrafix
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Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,020
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Post by wargrafix on Jul 7, 2023 5:17:35 GMT -5
dave! Thank you! Take a wild guess who picked up a Skil 7 wet tile saw yesterday? Now the fun begins! Especially if your children "help" you. My kid knows I got it for geodes....she knows we have no uncut ones. Oh little does she know got 15 as a surprise for her birthday
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wargrafix
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,020
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Post by wargrafix on Jul 7, 2023 10:33:29 GMT -5
I got ge0ades from the Nat Geo 15 pack
last package was 4 pounds while this once is 5 pounds. Hopefully not too many solid ones
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Post by 1dave on Jul 7, 2023 10:47:12 GMT -5
I got ge0ades from the Nat Geo 15 pack last package was 4 pounds while this once is 5 pounds. Hopefully not too many solid ones I would like to see photos of what they sent.
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wargrafix
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Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,020
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Post by wargrafix on Jul 7, 2023 10:49:07 GMT -5
lol, i have to wait until i gift it to little one
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wargrafix
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,020
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Post by wargrafix on Jul 13, 2023 12:45:29 GMT -5
Here is an interesting one. Not druzy, more like frosted crystals and haven't seen many of these
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Post by 1dave on Jul 13, 2023 21:47:46 GMT -5
That looks like a Keokuk geode from Iowa. A Sedimentary Geode, usually formed in a body oil saturated mud sarcophagus that formed around a dead creature often of Mississippian age.
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rockbrain
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Post by rockbrain on Jul 14, 2023 8:25:44 GMT -5
That looks like a Keokuk geode from Iowa. A Sedimentary Geode, usually formed in a body oil saturated mud sarcophagus that formed around a dead creature often of Mississippian age. I love it when you talk sexy like that!
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