SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Feb 21, 2009 14:35:30 GMT -5
I thought I'd post this here and than I can add progress pics. Maybe it will keep me motivated in finishing it. I've seen this before with States and I wanted to do something similar with my State. Luckily for me...Utah is a really square State and it makes it much easier for the edges. I cut out the State with 3/4" plywood and custom fabricated a frame to go around it. I will start cutting out counties now. I would really like to get a rock that each County is famous for or known for. Like...Southern Utah...Petrified Wood. Emory County...Dino Bone. My county(Weber county) a piece of my ore out of the mines. It will be an inlay or intarsia whatever it's called. Here's my Frame so far.  I'll post pics when I have new stuff. Any advice or tips...please post. THANKS! Steve |
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Post by sitnwrap on Feb 21, 2009 14:48:08 GMT -5
What a great project. Do you plan to use rocks that actually come from the counties or can it be rocks from other states but which are know to be found in that county?
This is going to be fun watching it in the making.
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Feb 21, 2009 14:55:27 GMT -5
I would like to use rocks that actually come from the respected county. I'm sure if I talk to the club members...they would help out. I have several already taken care of...just not all of them. Also...there's no way I am going to use squiggly lines. You can see I've straight edged a few of them to begin with.
Steve
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chasfire
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 180
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Post by chasfire on Feb 21, 2009 15:20:38 GMT -5
Steve:
That looks like it will be a fun project. I don't think I have the patience to create something that ambitious. I think I'm better at busting brush and finding new material.
chasfire
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Post by NatureNut on Feb 21, 2009 16:58:09 GMT -5
I'm really gonna be following this one Steve.... to cheer ya on! Jo
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Post by Bejewelme on Feb 21, 2009 19:38:17 GMT -5
Man Steve, that is an ambitious project and will be really neat when you have it completed!
I will enjoy watching it fill in with beautiful colors!!!
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Post by mohs on Feb 21, 2009 20:23:54 GMT -5
Do you have cut-outs of the county you'll trace on the rock?
What will be your main method of shaping the pieces?
How thick will be the pieces be? 1/8 inch? Less?
Good luck, steve! I like mosaics!
edmostly
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NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Feb 21, 2009 23:07:14 GMT -5
That is really cool! I agree with the others, keep us posted!
Nate
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Post by sitnwrap on Feb 21, 2009 23:18:22 GMT -5
Steve, You have sent me slabs in the past for when I start cabbing. If there are slabs that you sent from counties you have hunted in but now need rock from that you may have sent me, please let me know and I'll send it on it's way to you. I know you sent me Pet wood and Dino bone, I just can't remember the rest off the top of my head but if I have it and you need it, poof, it's there so let me know ok.
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49er
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 753
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Post by 49er on Feb 21, 2009 23:31:26 GMT -5
Cannot wait till I see the finished product.
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Feb 22, 2009 0:26:19 GMT -5
Thanks guys! I'll be sure to post pics when I get anything new and cut out. Lori...no need to send me anything I've sent you. I have Bone and Wood...Thanks Anyways!   Deeptime....the only cut-outs I have are going to come off the paper inserted into the frame. I'll do my best with those. I am planning on about 1/4" slabs. The Frame recesses down 1/2" so there will be a 1/4" reveal. I'll use the Genie as well as a dremel with diamond bits. Keep encouraging me...I'll need it! ;D Steve |
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Post by catmandewe on Feb 22, 2009 11:01:12 GMT -5
Cool project!!
You want to borrow the band saw?
You are more than welcome to use it.
Tony
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Post by mohs on Feb 22, 2009 13:04:11 GMT -5
Steve I don’t know much so these ideas may be… :2cents:
Did you draw the map?
It seem you ought to take picture/copy off a copier and cut out the paper pieces. Jigsaw style. Then you could trace those outlines on to the rock. The band saw idea is great! For roughing out the basic shape. Then the smoothing the pieces with dremel/Genie would be finesse/ But I don’t now much band saw technology for rocks.
Are you going to use a flat lap to grind to same thickness?
1/4 inch is good.
Seems the thinner you could go the easier the shaping?
Another problem I was wondering about?
What about translucency?
With the finish your capable of
what about seeing thru to the back of the map?
I’m really interested in mosaics.
Matter a fact I’m looking for a rock mate to accompany me to Italy in search of the marble mosaic of 'Beauty and the Beast.'O well that another good story! ;D
Good craft'n ! I’ll be all the motivation I can be!
edmost
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Post by Woodyrock on Feb 22, 2009 13:29:27 GMT -5
Steve:
I really want to see the finished map! The Tacoma club here in Washington did a map of WA like this, and it is impressive, so I know yours will be as well. You are now obligated to post progress photographs.
Woody
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catskillrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,270
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Post by catskillrocks on Jun 12, 2009 21:26:04 GMT -5
So Steve, how's it going? On the back burner for now? Or do you have some already finished? This is not to hound you, just wondering, maybe motivating.
Don
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Jun 12, 2009 21:45:09 GMT -5
Don,
I definitely need the Motivation!!! It's been a while hasn't it?!?! I have two counties cut out as of now. I have had a few distractions that have sort of put this project on the back burner for now. Not forgotten though....as it sits on a shelf I look at everytime I go into the old rock shed.
Steve
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on Jun 12, 2009 22:49:02 GMT -5
Wow, I missed that, thanks for bumping! Outstanding project, Steve! I think this work would deserve a frame also made of stone, maybe rocks coming from the states that are neighbouring Utah.
Adrian
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Jun 13, 2009 9:01:19 GMT -5
Adrian,
I like that idea too! For the time it has taken me to even cut 2 counties, (just cut not polished) I can see this little project turning into one of those that last for a long period of time.
Steve
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,494
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Post by Sabre52 on Jun 13, 2009 12:29:38 GMT -5
Steve:Now that is a very cool project! Like the rest of the folks, I cannot wait to see it progress through all the stages and what rocks you choose for each county. If you need any help on researching material for a given area, let me know and I'll check my notebooks. They're not county by county but they do contain a lot of locations....Mel
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classybroad
starting to shine!
Member since June 2009
Posts: 32
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Post by classybroad on Jun 23, 2009 13:02:46 GMT -5
What a cool idea and I bet it would be a great teaching tool for young minds interested in rocks and science.
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