spokanetim
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2009
Posts: 656
|
Post by spokanetim on Jan 18, 2010 22:41:04 GMT -5
I've got a new 80 and 600 wheel on order so I spent some time with the Dremel and lots of wet/dry sandpaper making these for my daughters. Green jade (the real stuff) and the black "maybe" jade, from a bolder I found. Both carved about the same, hard has hell, and polished nicely with chrome oxide. Thanks for looking! Tim  |
|
mc2
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2009
Posts: 1,147
|
Post by mc2 on Jan 18, 2010 23:05:26 GMT -5
Wow, really nice work on some very fine material. Top notch!!
Mike
|
|
adrian65
Cave Dweller 
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
|
Post by adrian65 on Jan 18, 2010 23:18:11 GMT -5
WOW! Impressive work and even more impressive results. Polishing with chrome oxide - I only tried it once and it was enough, the green went everywhere around.
Adrian
|
|
|
|
Post by moondragon on Jan 19, 2010 9:23:47 GMT -5
Excellent Tim:) You got a lot of natural talent at this carving stuff:) Wonderful shine:)
Keep it up:)
Peace Brother:)
|
|
|
|
Post by sitnwrap on Jan 19, 2010 14:19:32 GMT -5
Those pendants are beauties but what struck me most was the fact that you polished by hand to get them done for your daughters. There is a whole lot of fatherly love put into those creations. These are wonderful.
|
|
steelandstone
has rocks in the head
Member since September 2008
Posts: 500
|
Post by steelandstone on Jan 19, 2010 19:57:54 GMT -5
Nice job they came out great.
|
|
Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
|
Post by Saskrock on Jan 20, 2010 8:51:08 GMT -5
Those turned out great, carving is something I have wanted to try. Don't suppose you could post a how to?
|
|
Haleysdream
has rocks in the head
K-9 unit Rock Hounds
Member since January 2010
Posts: 654
|
Post by Haleysdream on Jan 20, 2010 13:37:42 GMT -5
WOW , Love the Peace pendant.
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Jan 20, 2010 22:01:02 GMT -5
Gorgeous! Nice work Tim.
Nate
|
|
spokanetim
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2009
Posts: 656
|
Post by spokanetim on Jan 21, 2010 10:30:56 GMT -5
I'm not exactly qualified to post a "how to" of anything rock related, but I'll pass on what little I've learned. I print out and trace a pattern, like the Peace sign, or free hand draw a pattern on a rock with a Sharpie. I then use the Genie to rough out the pattern. Then using round diamond bits on the Dremel flex shaft I slowly carve the shape, always keeping it wet. I find the round diamond bits work best. As you get into smaller areas keep going down to smaller diamond rounds. Always keep the bit moving in light smooth strokes and if you are using a template keep it around as you will need to retrace it as you grind parts away. Once it roughed out I use 3M wet/dry sandpaper's and wood dowels. For dowels I use bamboo kabob skewers. I cut small strips of paper and use the bamboo as backing to sand all the large easy areas. It's slow and time consuming trying to feather the ground out areas. For small area's I cut a 2" piece of skewer, use the Genie to sand a shank and then shape the other side for where I'm sanding, it's the only way to get into tight places. Load the dowel with a thick OIL (not water) slurry using 600 then 1000 silicon carbide. I just put in a teaspoon of olive oil and mix the grit till it's a thin paste. Then fit the dowel into the Dremel, load and sand away. The 600 grit will eat the wood pretty quickly so you may need to make 2 or 3 but it gets the job done. If you are working on jade just go out to 1000 than you can polish. Polish with tin oxide or even better chrome oxide mixed with water (not oil) to a paste. Chrome works a little better on jade plus it's green so it won't show if there are micro pits. The down side is chrome is really messy and stains. Load a felt pad in the Dremel to get the main areas, for the tight spots use the dowel bamboo points. Wash it off and you are done! To do any serious carving the Dremel is not the tool to use. It's not powerful enough, not easy to control and takes to long to switch out the bits. I'm starting to look around for a Foredom Flex Shaft or good micromotor handset. For something different I tried carving a little Montana agate last night. It's a free form heart and the shape was shamelessly stolen from Moondragon. Wanted to try agate in case I ever get my hands on those sweet fire agates. Anyway, hope that helped. Thanks again for the nice comments and Peace Out! Tim   |
|
|
|
Post by moondragon on Jan 21, 2010 11:18:01 GMT -5
OMG!! Its beautiful, delicate and elegant too:)
You didnt steal from me. I am merely a tool to give your inspiration and encouragement and motivation. And I might say, my son, you shine on this heart:)
|
|
