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Post by Roller on Feb 19, 2011 1:51:57 GMT -5
10" cuts ... over the last few days ... Hellertown PA jasper self collected .. hopefully get alot more this summer and spring .. ![](http://www.varockhounder.com/uploads/2011021822419443.jpg) tella no introduction required ![](http://www.varockhounder.com/uploads/2011021822417422.jpg) h-town jasp and tella ![](http://www.varockhounder.com/uploads/2011021822413226.jpg) Noreena ![](http://www.varockhounder.com/uploads/2011021822414483.jpg) red obsidian ![](http://www.varockhounder.com/uploads/2011021822417440.jpg) and last but not least a very large section of milky white quartz vein with some minimal Purple puddingstone running through ... this is a rare find .. ![](http://www.varockhounder.com/uploads/2011021822475310.jpg) ![](http://www.varockhounder.com/uploads/2011021822477171.jpg) ![](http://www.varockhounder.com/uploads/201102182247763.jpg)
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stoneviews
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Post by stoneviews on Feb 19, 2011 8:20:28 GMT -5
Those are all nice, I love that red Obsidian!!
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NDK
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Post by NDK on Feb 20, 2011 0:24:24 GMT -5
Cool slabs Greg.
Nate
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pporky
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Post by pporky on Feb 20, 2011 4:17:52 GMT -5
Great slabs Greg I really like the Noreena
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Post by tanyafrench on Feb 20, 2011 20:25:45 GMT -5
Greg, that Noreena and the Red Obsidian are awesome. They will make some gorgeous cabs. Can't wait to see them.
Tanya
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Post by Bikerrandy on Feb 20, 2011 21:40:14 GMT -5
That turritella has some great formations, cool stuff!!
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Post by frane on Feb 21, 2011 8:06:48 GMT -5
You sure have been busy! That is some very pretty obsidian! Fran
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chromenut
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Post by chromenut on Feb 21, 2011 9:17:53 GMT -5
Oh man that is some TASTY STUFF!
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Post by deb193redux on Feb 21, 2011 13:12:19 GMT -5
Just to counterbalance everyone's gushing enthusiasm, let me make some comment. My 1st instinct was to not say anything, but as the accolades like "TASTY STUFF" mount up, I think something should be said to keep the board a little more honest.
First, these are fairly good products of an initial use of a new/first saw to produce slabs. There are always issues, and I know you are trying to solve some issues of uneven slabs and vise alignment or whatever. It also takes a while to learn the feel of a saw, and to begin to see the value of cutting better material. It also takes a while to really know what sizes and shapes you can and can't do with the saw you got. Also, it can take a while to learn that sometimes the best direction to cut for visual appeal might waste the most material or be the hardest to clamp up. Some of my efforts with my 1st used saw destroyed blades, had me watching rocks pop out of the vise, stalled the motor, or produced the most frustrating wedge shaped bits of broken slab. You seem to be doing better than I did, and congratulations on that score.
Second, these are not particularly interesting or desirable slabs once you move past the whole "beginner" allowance. It truly puzzles me that instead of paying complements and offering encouragement by commenting on your productivity, your steps into the slabbing world, your effort, your willingness to share images ... etc, that some feel compelled to announce these are ALL beautiful slabs.
I think Fran made a very balanced an nuanced comment: acknowledging your efforts (i.e., been busy) and then saying something about the best of the lot (i.e., red obsidian) while remaining silent on the rest. But Clint said they were “all nice” and Robin’s comment just stumps me.
The Norena and red obsidian are likely the two best things here. I do note that most specific comments focused on those. But, neither is stellar. There are pits in the red obsidian and it has a more slaggy rather than glassy look. Still red is a more unusual color and that makes it interesting. The Norena lacks the white the best of this material has, and it also lacks the sharp red/yellow zig-zags and daggers that make top grade Norena so visually stunning.
I think the terr agate is either low quality, or more likely, has been cut in the wrong direction. Almost all of the shells are cut across instead of along their long axis. Often the easiest direction to clamp and the orientation that will produce the most slabs is the one going across the shells, producing many little round circles. But the best cuts are done parallel to the sea floor, and expose long chambered views of the shell. You may lose more material to end cuts, and you might need a slab grabber to get the slab, but that’s the right way to cut terr agate. I think overly timid sensibilities inhibited others from pointing this out
As far as the Hellertown jasper, I think the key question is; Why? I understand cutting open something you had collected. But, once you see the pitted, vuggy, fractured, and just plain ugly interior, why say you are going to go back and get “a lot more” – why? It looks like a badly formed ice cube made with brackish dirty stump water. IMHO it is not worth the diamonds, or electricity, or your time, to slab it.
You are free to spend your time and cash however you please. And to some extent beauty is in the eye of the beholder – but only to some extent. You elected to spend the dollars to get a new saw instead of used. You elected to spend extra to get it fully mounted with motor and baseboard. You spent (or plan to spend) money to replace the Blazer blade with a better MK blade. I think it would be good to invest a little more in higher-grade cutting material – when you are ready. (Maybe I can even make you a friendly gift of a nice piece of trim saw rough if you tell me more about what you would like to cut. PM me.)
As a rock and saw nut, I wish you continued success and offer encouragement. I celebrate your active participation in this forum and willingness to share pics. I enjoyed the discussions here as you sought advice on which saw to buy and what blade to get, and even the ongoing question of whether your vise is misaligned. I just wish that the norm of encouragement and support did not result in some members fabricating the reality that all of these slabs are great stuff – because that lie serves nobody.
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Post by Roller on Mar 30, 2011 0:25:38 GMT -5
WOW ur such a Dirtbag ! ! I would completely accept POLITE criticism but you have went too far !!! ... Its funny now I get why you are causing people here to leave and they shouldnt ! ... I just noticed this post tonight ! and Iam still smil'ing ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) but u will hear me ... but in all seriousness I think you forgot a few things .... you said my collected jasper was looking like a badly formed ice cube (like a little school kid would do )Iam not a little school kid and either are you !!!! Grow the f uP!!!!!! but while u didnt you forget that beauty is in the eye of the beholder .... not everyone thinks ur wife or ex wife was good looking ... and maybe some people like a few pits in there slabs while others dont ..there is no set rules in lapidary or life for that matter and things are always changing !!!!and ur ugly could be my beautiful which it is and Iam still getting more because i find it beautiful !!!! I would sure hope the tella is low quality being i payed a dollar for it plus i still have another pound left i still havent cut !!!thanks for the tip on getting long shells ..as far as the new find red obsidian ... i paid 4$ and would like to see you get that in the next week without any pits at all !!! and i dont mean the orangey mahogany stuff ... Bottom Line I dont want to see your name in my posts and i will stay out of yours !!!! back of u punk or you will be making one big mistake ! I openly accept POLITE critiscism from anyone else on the board ... If I get one more reply from you ! You better hope we don"t run into each other ... capiche? dont even answer ...
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chromenut
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Post by chromenut on Mar 30, 2011 9:50:48 GMT -5
You know what, I've gotten so used to his BS that I don't even read his posts anymore. I suggest to all RTH'ers with any common sense and decency to just ignore him. I don't know why he's not been banned. I do say that once in a while he'll post something that is completely beyond intelligent, as in the domain of genius, but then most geniuses are nuts anyway. Me, used to want to slit his throat just to shut him up, but after long talks with a few of my fellow RTH'ers and mentors, I just ignore his lunacy. Please don't take what he says personally, none of us who have been through his pathetic diatribes do. He really just posts because he's lonely and likes to hear himself speak (well, or read himself type...lmao).
As Momma, my Italian adoptive mother in Tempio Pausania, used to say, "Stai zitto, Cretino.", or when I really got her PO'd, "Chiudi la bocca, Testa di Cazzo!", or even worse, after a few drinks, and very fitting for redux, "Cappo di Cazzo!". Just flows off the tongue so much more fluidly than English curse words!
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Mar 30, 2011 10:04:54 GMT -5
I like the turritella, no matter which way its oriented it looks good
Love the noreena and the red obsidian( where did you get it?)
the last slabs are cool, can't wait to see some polished up in cabs
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chromenut
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Post by chromenut on Mar 30, 2011 10:07:00 GMT -5
That Noreena is droolicious!
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rocpup
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Post by rocpup on Mar 30, 2011 10:17:20 GMT -5
Roller It sure makes us wonder where are the Modulators for this board. I am new here but surly not as lapidary hobbest and like you do not need a self proclaimed judge coming down on my post. What is really strange about this "DIRTBAG" he can give negative commit about a member and or their material but none directed in response to him. I think from time to time I do have something to offer this board and might consider staying if deb193 stays off my posts. I tried to take my beef with him private and he refused. If the Modulators don't react to him they will have to remove me because I will not be nice. This seems to be a great site with lots of nice members and good information but if members with 2500 post are allowed to chastise, give out mis-information and judge others because he is a self proclaimed expert then the members have to do it.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 30, 2011 10:28:11 GMT -5
Greg,
Looks like you got the saw working. I've never cut Turitella but was told by an old timer that the best cutting material has the darkest (usually black) matrix. The lighter matrix stuff may not polish. Cut in any direction it is neat stuff as fossil specimens.
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stefan
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Post by stefan on Mar 30, 2011 10:36:01 GMT -5
Hey Daniel climb back under your rock. I am so sick of your CRAP!!! I have sat here watching you tear every little detail apart- BUT I fail to see you contributing anything other than some (albeit very nice) slabs. Do you even work the slabs you cut? If you want to tear a board apart, and pass your critical GODLIKE judgement upon everything that passes your eyes- then go get your own freakin board and do as you please. I for one am sick and tired of your holier than thou attitude and your constant trolling. THis material is indeed stunning- THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY TO CUT TERTULLA AGATE, and sometime pits are part of the game. I am going public here to let you know I am reporting you to sands and Mark-
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Mar 30, 2011 10:45:47 GMT -5
Ok! who slabbed up that rock that he was hiding under?
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Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 30, 2011 11:11:36 GMT -5
Greg, my fave, of course, is the turritella. I also like the Noreena and the red obsidian.
I have held my tongue for a long time, but regarding "deb193redux", I must agree with you. This person has bad-mouthed my offerings as well, essentially hijacking an otherwise well-intentioned thread. His negative commentary is definitely not appreciated in this neck of the woods. I know that he has posted pictures of some of his materials, and they generally are high-grade specimens, but that does not afford him the mandate to rain discouragement on others.
OK, I'm done.
Tom
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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 30, 2011 11:37:49 GMT -5
I agree. This A$$ HOLE needs to go. On another board that I'm a mod on, He would have gotten 2 warnings, and then been banned. It makes one wonder if he's really as great as he thinks he is, or if he finds a need to tear others down to make up for his own inadequacies ?
Don
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adrian65
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Post by adrian65 on Mar 30, 2011 13:23:34 GMT -5
Sorry for interfering, but I think Daniel's honesty might be cherrished, even if his opinions are not expressed in the softest manner. I surely appreciate honest opinions related to my work, rather than a formal "nice one" type of comment.
And the crossfire you all aimed on him is a bit over-reacted compared to his post, I think. Some of the replies and words which came after his post are way more "bannable".
Adrian
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