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Post by MyNewHobby on Jun 6, 2009 18:22:12 GMT -5
As I wait through another rip with the vibe and having nothing right now to wrap ... I got this great box of geodes from RockHound.
They range from the size of a walnut to a few the size of grapefruits.
Now .... the Gryphon groove bit rocks for cutting a deep line through the geodes.
My first question.... is this is a good way to approach the geodes as most of you already know I have a heavy hand when it comes to trying to use a chisel and hammer to crack these babies open?
My next question .... is can I use with reasonable and careful approach my saw to cut these open?
As always ... Julie
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Post by sitnwrap on Jun 6, 2009 21:30:42 GMT -5
I'm not a geode buff so I'll just wish you luck and hope you find lots of pretty sparkly crystals in every one.
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rockhound97058
freely admits to licking rocks
Thundereggs - Oregons Official State Rock!
Member since January 2006
Posts: 760
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Post by rockhound97058 on Jun 6, 2009 22:56:15 GMT -5
Hey Julie,
On the geodes you got from me... As you'll notice they have veins on the exterior of the stones...If you take a hammer you can lightly tap these until they crack and continue to pull them apart by hand. If you have a saw they'll cut just fine... Sometimes the only drawback to cutting is if your using oil in your saw, the oil will sometimes attack the interior zeolites. If your using water as a coolant, you'll be just fine. As you sort through and feel some of these eggs which are "heavier" than the others it would be better to cut them as they will probably contain a blue opal, or agate. The agate's are sometimes clear banded, blue fortification, have moss and rare times plume agate interiors. I'm sure you'll get sometime fantastic and interesting out of the box.
Happy cutting/breaking... Any questions feel free to PM me.
Jason
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jun 7, 2009 9:48:51 GMT -5
Jason's advice is good.
Just in case you're thinking of cutting a line and then following up with a hammer and chisel, you'll still want to hammer and chisel all the way around the geode. What you're really doing with the hammer and chisel is setting up a fracture line through the geode. As you continue tapping with the hammer and chisel along that line, it will eventually split open.
If you just cut a line and then take a big whack, it will likely shatter unevenly.
Chuck
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Post by MyNewHobby on Jun 7, 2009 18:11:33 GMT -5
Cool! Thanks guys!!
My WF is water cooled so that should be a plus.
I have had my share of smacking the crap out of geodes only to find that I murdered the darn things.
I have also discovered that my Gryphon Studio groove bit cuts a great line and as deep as the bit will go all the way around the geodes beautifully.
As always ...
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coasthunterjay
starting to spend too much on rocks
Carefull ive got a gun....and a closet full of rocks
Member since May 2009
Posts: 155
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Post by coasthunterjay on Jun 7, 2009 20:02:48 GMT -5
So post some pictures already we want to see some open geodes......LOL........
DID yah do it yet?
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