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Post by montanamuskrat on Feb 19, 2010 1:13:42 GMT -5
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fossilbrain
spending too much on rocks
Cookie Monster agate
Member since October 2007
Posts: 360
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Post by fossilbrain on Feb 19, 2010 4:27:10 GMT -5
pics # 4, 7, and 12 are just some of the most beautiful things! I honestly think if there is any way possible to take those two pieces like they're positioned in pic # 12 and set them, somehow, just like that, it would be truly unique and very, very remarkable. My wife and I were just talking about setting binary pairs. I'm imagining some electroforming, with a line of silver separating and encompassing the two. I'd totally keep those together for that purpose. They belong together forever ;D Thanks for sharing. Quite inspiring.
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Post by Bejewelme on Feb 19, 2010 8:02:24 GMT -5
The Montana's are beautiful, lovely material. Maybe I would suggest getting the wheels or belts you need to finish the cabbing by hand to avoid the breaking in the vibe, nothing is more distressing than working so hard to then have them break. Looking good you are off to a great start. Amber
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Feb 19, 2010 8:20:15 GMT -5
Those look really good, very pretty pieces! Donnie
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Post by NatureNut on Feb 19, 2010 8:53:35 GMT -5
Oh man, you are doing great Tom, and you are gonna have some real fun with those beautiful Montanas and all their gorgeous color and patterning. Love how you framed the second from the last western Montana. Just love the sunset colors in the others too! You are gonna have some fun for sure! Looking forward to what is next! Jo
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highplainsdrifter
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,266
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Post by highplainsdrifter on Feb 19, 2010 9:54:51 GMT -5
Pretty good for your first cabs, especially the pink one. You've got some nice material to work with.
You can check your slabs dry for fractures/weak lines that may break during cabbing. If you find one you want to cut through heat the stone up and add superglue to the fracture. This will keep it from breaking apart.
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jcinpc
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2009
Posts: 722
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Post by jcinpc on Feb 19, 2010 12:49:14 GMT -5
looks good, thats some awesome material your working with
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Post by montanamuskrat on Feb 19, 2010 12:53:19 GMT -5
Thank you all for the your kind and informative critique. I am ordering another expando wheel and belts form JS this week. In Lapidary Tips I asked questions about getting water to the wheels on a Beaver 64 arbor with 4 wheels now I have questions as to what wheels and belts are best or should I say best for stage 1 to finish. I have a 80 grit nova wheel, next an expando wheel with 100 grit belt, next wheel is ?? and a Nova, 5 carat, 4000 grit. What would be best? I like the UV10 for the agate. I need to inspect it closer though. Thanks again Tom & Debby
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Post by frane on Feb 19, 2010 13:52:27 GMT -5
I just love the red speckled ones! Kind of looks like pigeon blood agate. I would say fill your vibe with ceramics for at least a 3/4 full load until you can get the other wheels and do your cabs there. That might help keep you from having some of your cabs get ruined. The vibe really won't help with softer materials either. I have more get damaged that way if I accidentally mixed hardness's. I think you are off to a great start but you really don't want to loose any after so much work! Fran
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Post by fishenman on Feb 19, 2010 14:15:55 GMT -5
Beautiful work for your first. you are off to a great start. Geoff
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Post by Toad on Feb 19, 2010 16:49:55 GMT -5
Nice variety there. Good cabbing too.
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abuelito
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2009
Posts: 156
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Post by abuelito on Feb 19, 2010 18:24:50 GMT -5
very nice work friend,gives me inperation , ab
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Feb 19, 2010 20:12:47 GMT -5
You've picked gorgeous stones and got nice shapes on them.
Nate
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bouldergal
freely admits to licking rocks
Glacier Meadow
Member since July 2007
Posts: 783
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Post by bouldergal on Feb 19, 2010 20:30:15 GMT -5
I absolutely love the pink agate. I've never seen anything like it and you worked it beautifully. You're off to a great start with great material and beautiful shines! Is there any special name for the pink Montana? I'd like to try to find some. PM me if you want to trade!! Susan
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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 20, 2010 10:42:13 GMT -5
I've never seen much Montana that has so much purple/pink in them. They are very different than most Montana's. Your doing a fantastic job and it only gets better. Keep up the great work and you'll find plenty of inspiration and encouragement here. If it wasn't for the RTH and good rockhounding folks; I doubt I'd love this hobby so much!!! Steve
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bonkaboy
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2010
Posts: 12
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Post by bonkaboy on Feb 20, 2010 21:22:38 GMT -5
i wince and cry( for your work) when I see such beautiful cabs break-- They all look wonderful.
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