WyckedWyre
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2007
Posts: 1,391
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Post by WyckedWyre on Jul 7, 2005 16:52:14 GMT -5
Ok, I have been running around town looking for gold-filled and silver wire, and I stopped in SouthWest Gems and Minerals, a "mom and pop" lapidary, mineral and rock shop here in Albuquerque. I had some questions concerning my Rock Rascal combination (trim saw/grinder) unit. The person who was working there told me that she used to be a professional stone cutter but she QUIT because "it was too messy". She said you have to have an elaborate drain system to dispose of the sludge, which is poisonous? She also said that trim saws and grinders throw sludge EVERYWHERE. She told me that if I decide to cut stones in my garage, I couldn't have anything else in there because it would get covered with sludge? She told me if I try to cut stones outside that the sludge will kill all my trees and flowers and grass? She suggested an enclosed shed (which I have...but I'll have to run electricity to it...) I have never heard any of you stone cutters mention this...is it true? Where do you guys cut? She said she'd come and help me cut a few stones (I can't seem to find anyone in town who can show me what to do, no classes or anything) but damn, she was negative. I almost want to take the thing back before I ever get started. HELP! Another tool challenged woman - Susan
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Jul 7, 2005 17:38:45 GMT -5
I'd stay as far away from that person as I could get. She sounds like she just don't want to do anything with rocks. Her knowledge seems a bit off to me.
Pho
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Post by krazydiamond on Jul 7, 2005 17:59:33 GMT -5
no way, Jose! i mean it does get a LITTLE messy, but whats a few drips and spatters? of course, i just cut and grind with water based stuff, i imagine the oil gets messier. but still!! a lot of folks in here use oil. i have both saw and grinder and drill press set up in the basement, ok, concrete floor, but not a huge mess and certainly not toxic. i am also lucky that i live out in the country, so i throw out my slurry on the property edge where i throw cuttings, clippings and branches, hasn't killed my pine trees yet, it's mainly just SAND. what little bit of coolant that is on it doesn't seem to even kill the grass. that woman is whacked or maybe she worked with oil and really didn't like it? don't let her put you off, susan! KD
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Post by Tweetiepy on Jul 7, 2005 18:01:48 GMT -5
Maybe she's willing to sell her stuff at a discount??
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Jul 7, 2005 18:02:59 GMT -5
I'm thinking someone sniffed way too much rock dust here...
Pho
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Post by docone31 on Jul 7, 2005 18:12:25 GMT -5
Hah, hah, hah. I have found, people in the lapidary field, some seem to be very sludge concious. Yeah, it throws some crud, not much, but a little. Even my faceter, Ultratec throws polish. The video made by the manufacturer, the person in the video spends a lot of time on spray. I facet, and big deal. I wipe it off with a paper towel. With slurry, dump it down the drain and run the water for a while. Bye, bye. Malachite is dangerous, use water or oil, turquoise is dangerous, use water or oil, lapidary is potentially dangerous, use your head. Some of us have not addressed the ELECTRICALS as we should, and you have met someone who is a little puched out and sparking.
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WyckedWyre
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2007
Posts: 1,391
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Post by WyckedWyre on Jul 7, 2005 18:26:54 GMT -5
Yeah, she told me she used to cut 800 stones a day. That's a lot of rock dust. Hey, I have an idea - maybe LOTSAROCKS and FLOW would like to drive up to Albq and show me how to cut cabs??? S
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Post by krazydiamond on Jul 7, 2005 18:43:34 GMT -5
800 stones a DAY? total whack job. KD
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Tellfamily
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2004
Posts: 476
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Post by Tellfamily on Jul 7, 2005 19:19:12 GMT -5
Must be the Rock Dust!
You ever been to Mama's Minerals?
1100 San Mateo N.E. Albuquerque 505.266.8443
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Post by Alice on Jul 7, 2005 19:51:47 GMT -5
Susan, the sludge will NOT kill your trees, grass, or flowers. the "sludge" comes from rocks... the same thing mud is made from. I have never heard of mud / clay poisoning unless some sort of acid or poison was added to it.
Too messy? if you find it's all over you, go take a shower. Watered down sludge won't hurt your pipes (have you ever washed your hands in the sink after gardening?). If it's THICK and all over your clothes, you might want to hose down your clothes before you throw them into the wash, but I highly doubt you'll ever get your clothes into that state.
800 stones a day? How large exactly were these stones? and how good of a job did she do? I highly doubt she did 800 in one day. Are you sure she left? or did she get fired?
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kurocks
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2005
Posts: 61
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Post by kurocks on Jul 7, 2005 21:19:18 GMT -5
I suppose it's possible there could be traces of minerals in some rocks that could be toxic to humans ... but I doubt it's a big health hazard unless you're exposed to a great deal of it. It's always possible that someone freaked her out by giving her bad information. There is, after all, such a thing as "toxic sludge," but that kind of sludge has nothing to do with rocks!
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ArkieRockhound
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2005
Posts: 870
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Post by ArkieRockhound on Jul 7, 2005 22:05:19 GMT -5
It's amazing how many "experts" really don't have a clue. I'm having too much fun to worry about such things. Trish
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Post by rockyraccoon on Jul 7, 2005 22:35:41 GMT -5
susan i was wondering about pouring out my hematite sludge and asked on here. toad gave me a good lead and i did some searching. though a plant could get too much iron it would have to be a chelated form for it to be absorbed into the roots. i'm guessing it's probably the same for other minerals. so unless you know how to chelate your minerals before you pour them out you are ok. i haven't had any loss of plants, flowers, or trees from sludge and i'm not picky about where i pour mine. usually at the base of a crepe myrtle tree.
i don't know why she's trying to make you worried but you'll have a much bigger mess if you drop one of your tumbling barrels or it explodes. set it up in your garage so you can still work on rainy days. wear your mask and your safety glasses, maybe an apron if you want. if you see some sludge dust getting on something you don't want it on, wipe it off. and she did not cut any 800 stones in a day. not faceting or slabbing. i use to get 2-3 slabs an hour until i slowed my saw down. i now get about 1-2 in an hour. and i imagine faceting is slow go too. she might have ordered 800 a day. she ought to be ashamed trying to freak you out. cut that rascal on and have fun!
kim
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flowoxsgarden
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 196
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Post by flowoxsgarden on Jul 7, 2005 23:52:36 GMT -5
hey Susan, I tell you what, if you help me pay for gas and maybe throw in a few rocks to take home , I may just take that drive to show you how to cut cabs. I'm no expert but I can show you how I do it Let me know. I don't work as I'm disabled so I have time and while school is out, I don't have to worry about that. Would just have to bring my daughter along with me. Let me know. I'm always glad to help out
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Jul 8, 2005 8:17:54 GMT -5
800 A day- NO FREAKIN WAY!!!!!!!!!! Hmmm Toxic? Agggrhhammgaphgraoegmf.............................................................. (Sorry Stefan just died from too much sludge!!!!)
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Post by hermatite on Jul 8, 2005 10:39:34 GMT -5
Okay maybe it's just me...but I don't mind getting dirty. Sludge is good for the soul. We are all made of star stuff..who cares if you get covered in more of it. Yeah I get dirty cutting rocks...I wear latex gloves because I'm vain about my fingernails...but for the rest of it? I wear an old shirt and when I get dirty I just ...you know...wash. It's not like I'm so sweet I'll melt. Don't listen to the negativity. Try it..you'll like it.
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Duckbean
fully equipped rock polisher
Looking for rocks in all the wrong places
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,072
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Post by Duckbean on Jul 8, 2005 11:21:21 GMT -5
Some people have a really hard time telling reality from the stories that they make up to impress others. Copper can be bad for people and blants and any kind of dust is not good for you it you breathe alot of it. so use your head, doesn't sound like this person has much of any thing in her's! Did she say what kind of rocks she was cutting? and if she was putting them in little glass vials when she was done with them. I can believe that kind or rock would do all that..
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Jul 8, 2005 11:23:33 GMT -5
Duck!!!!!!! LMAO Hmmmm 800 Rocks a day- yup that makes a bit more sence!
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WyckedWyre
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2007
Posts: 1,391
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Post by WyckedWyre on Jul 8, 2005 13:28:18 GMT -5
Bummer. We'll miss you, Stefan. S
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Post by Tweetiepy on Jul 8, 2005 13:32:00 GMT -5
LMAO @ NMrocks! - Stefan is pretty resillient - he keeps coming back for more!
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