midnightblk66
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2024
Posts: 1
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Post by midnightblk66 on Aug 27, 2024 17:50:48 GMT -5
Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum. I love rocks and rock hunting. Been that way my whole life. Sooo I have way too many rocks. My son says I have a problem lol I have a lot of rocks that need stabilizing. I've seen a bunch of vacuum chambers on Amazon but can't decide which one to get. Can anyone suggest one that they use that works well? I know all about cactus juice but not about stabilizing. Can I just stack a bunch of slabs in the chamber or do they need room in order to soak in all the CJ? I was considering a turn tex Vacumm chamber but there out of stock. They are pretty pricey. They look very durable and safer than a glass lid. You can view the progress better wiit it being very clear. So anyone have any suggestion?
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New lady
Aug 27, 2024 18:35:01 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Pat on Aug 27, 2024 18:35:01 GMT -5
Hi, and welcome from California. I know nothing about your question, but I suspect there is at least one person who can help you.
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Post by chris1956 on Aug 27, 2024 19:13:54 GMT -5
Welcome from Missouri. I have a 3 gallon vacuum chamber and pump. The vacuum pump is a VEVOR (Chinese) and I don't see a name on the chamber itself.
I do have the clear top and that is nice for seeing if there is any air coming out of the rocks. I think the Catus Juice people talk about 4 hours for wood and I have seen others say the same for rocks. Everytime I have done it I am still seeing air bubbles at 10 hours and have given up at that point (probably very small cracks). The clear top is a little scary. I got a lot of what looks like micro stress cracks on it. I have seen other comments on the forum that people get the same thing. Mine is not glass. I think it might be lexan but not sure. I always wear a face shield when I am working with it and keep my distance as much as possible.
I have only used it with whole rocks, not slabs. Main reason is that I cut with oil and oil and Catus Juice don't mix. It is difficult to get all the oil out of a slab. Even with rocks, clean them as much as possible to avoid contaiminating the catus juice.
One thing that I read when I was researching the vacuum pumps is that I kept seeing all these comments (I think mostly from teachers) who said that you should change the oil every time you use the vacuum pump. I have done this and haven't had any issues (about 2 years of doing it) even though I run it for 10 hours straight each time (a lot of people turn it off and on to save on the vacuum pump but Catus Juice recommends against this). If you get one of the expensive American ones you might not have to change the oil each time. The one I have leaks a lot of oil but I just keep it on a metal plate that I can clean easily.
The chamber can be hard to clean, so I have a smaller plastic container inside that I can easily take and clean in the sink.
Hope this helps.
Chris
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Post by opalpyrexia on Aug 27, 2024 20:30:54 GMT -5
Welcome from Washington.
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Post by vegasjames on Aug 27, 2024 21:55:30 GMT -5
Welcome from Southern Nevada.
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Post by liveoak on Aug 28, 2024 6:37:31 GMT -5
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python
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2024
Posts: 294
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New lady
Aug 28, 2024 15:44:08 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by python on Aug 28, 2024 15:44:08 GMT -5
Welcome!
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Post by jasoninsd on Aug 29, 2024 16:52:59 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota! I don't have a vacuum chamber...but I do agree with posting your questions in another thread in the Equipment subforum...might get you some more answers there.
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