stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on Apr 28, 2012 9:21:19 GMT -5
Don,I have little to no patience really ,I do like things to "be right",before I play with them though,-which does require some patience I guess;-but when you have waited a good few years just to find the tools,a while longer just adds to the anticipation I reckon! And while I wait, the rock pile grows! I'll be really busy for a while,just looking out the stuff I want to cut first ;-all in all not a bad place to be for someone just getting started. As mentioned,there might not be a lot of lapidary stuff available over here,but neither does there seem to be too much competition when it comes to bidding;-although I like to offer courier collection before I bid-which seems to sway some people to deal with me,rather than having to sort it all out themselves. The 12" slab saw cost me less than the 8" trim saw after taking delivery/shipping into account.It had a "buy it now "price of £90 ($145),so I didn't have to bid-simply called the guy and offered to have it collected;-deal done!Thanks for now all-have a great weekend,John.
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on Apr 29, 2012 16:12:32 GMT -5
Don, your legs might be old but your spirit hasn't aged,-I do all of my agate hunting in the midland valley of Scotland,-not too many hills,mostly coastal,with the bonus of great and regular public transport,and stunning coast -sound like an advert now,but if you think you still have it in you, I would be happy to arrange/try to, a gathering of the uk (not so united-but friendlier now than we have been ;D),rockhounding fraternity to help you find some Scottish agates,I feel certain that when Jack(yorkshire),gets back from his trip to Cornwall,that he would totally agree with me-the two of you are about the same age;-both of you are an inspiration to us younger "wannabes?",--so,-anybody else from anywhere really,-up for an agate hunt in "Bonny Scotland?". No doubt I'll be shot the next time I set foot over the border for suggesting that,but feel for certain that there is more than enough to go round,and new finds are great for tourism-and for me,well ,I'll be chopping that lovely Scottish agate out of the surrounding rock as long as I live,- Gotta fly-still need a couple more cubic feet to house the new "rockslayer!). Best wishes to everyone,John
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Post by jakesrocks on Apr 29, 2012 16:26:57 GMT -5
Thanks for the invitation John. Being retired military, I could fly over space available on a military flight for free, but at the same time being retired, money is tight. I doubt if I could afford the cost of food, housing and transportation while over there. I'm afraid my rockhounding trips will be limited to the opposite side of my state to hunt for Fairburn agates, hopefully around the end of June. Don
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on Apr 29, 2012 16:40:11 GMT -5
Sorry to hear that Don,I'm still going to explore possibilities,this country is about to open it's first goldmine,so it's not just agate on offer,maybe I can at least send you a few pieces of Scotland,along with some of my favourite shots/finds over the coming days/months,can't promise you any gold though ,thanks again Don,it's a real pleasure,all the best,John.
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on May 3, 2012 12:59:20 GMT -5
Quick update-saw requires a little more cleaning before I add new photos tomorrow some time +shots of the rock I got with the saw-some strange and interesting/rare stuff, many thanks for your patience-wish I could have Just taken it outside,and given it a pressure wash-not an option where I currently am,looks better and better to me as I get rid of years of dirt and grime,be back some time tomorrow-thanks,John.
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Post by jakesrocks on May 3, 2012 13:28:32 GMT -5
LOL !! John, I think most of us have taken on a project like that. Something that's so dirty or rusty that we didn't want to take pics of it. Consider it a challenge, to take something and turn it back into a useable piece of equipment again. You'll be proud of it and yourself when you cut that first rock.
Don
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on May 3, 2012 14:26:58 GMT -5
Hey Don, thanks for the reply;-I reckon you'll be surprised(if you lived over here you would be ;D) at what I have found-I am, don't understand any of it,lol,hoping it is American,and that one of you guys knows how to go about using/maintaining and getting the best out of a saw like this ,-have to admit though,-there are things about it that look home-made, much better explained with a photo or two,-so I'll leave it there for now,John.
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Post by jakesrocks on May 3, 2012 15:15:57 GMT -5
John, even if it does prove to be home built, with over 4,000 members on board, we'll help you figure it out. Just post a bunch of pics of the parts you don't understand. And ask lots of questions.
Don
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on May 4, 2012 10:58:33 GMT -5
Hi everyone,as promised a few more photos, Part of the workings I couldn't see,(covered by side panel in the ebay pic), ,More of the same,power feed/clutch? ,Clutch ?How does this work? A few shots of the vice carriage?And other parts, ;D,-told you I was a novice! And for a moment two shots of the vice plate?and a few extras-would love to hear how this all works! . Ok,so I am back on cleaning duty,but in the mean time,my apologies for the photos,bad weather keeps messing with the light,but as she cleans up,I'll strip more off and check/clean/post more photos. As of yet no indications of maker,-leading me to think? All comments/thoughts etc,are very welcome as usual,in the meantime you can be sure I have plenty of questions ;D, Thanks for looking,John.
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Post by jakesrocks on May 4, 2012 11:37:00 GMT -5
Yep, that's a power feed. Some sort of worm and sector drive in the first pic. More pics and we should be able to figure out how it works.
It does look like a home built saw. But built by someone who really knew what they were doing. I don't know the internal measurements, but it looks like you may be able to mount a blade larger than 12". Possibly a 14" or even 16". Measure from the center of the blade arbor to the bottom, front and rear of the tank. That will tell you if you can fit a larger blade. Allow at least 1/2" clearance for the blade.
It's cleaning up real nice. It doesn't appear to have had a lot of use.
Don
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on May 4, 2012 14:44:16 GMT -5
Hi Don, Thanks for the reply and comments,took measurements and she was built for a 12" for sure,that's from every direction;- ,stands around 52" high,stand and lid (lid is 8"deep),bottom of tank to center of arbor =7",and no play either way;- the blade is little used (s/d meteor-now owned by barranca,?),and my apologies,-didn't get around to taking pics of the rock that came too,washed some ,will post tomorrow,thanks, John
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on May 7, 2012 5:06:26 GMT -5
Hi everyone. As promised a few photos of some of the rocks that came with the saw. First up some Tisbury coral,also known as "star agate",this is a translucent,blue-almost purplish silicified coral found in only one place in England,looks like it could be stunning in the right hands! Next up some Dulcote agate/potato stones! Reckon one or two of these could have surpises inside! And lastly some Libyan fossil wood,collected in the Nefusa mountains,-not by me!They are apparently palm tree fossils. . Thanks for looking,John.
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Post by jakesrocks on May 7, 2012 8:49:29 GMT -5
Looks like you'll be busy for a while, once you get those saws going. That Tisbury coral is some sweet looking material.
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on May 7, 2012 11:56:19 GMT -5
Hey Don! Glad you like it,-you will have some at some point in the future,thanks again-a real pleasure,all the best John.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 2, 2012 19:55:30 GMT -5
And as promised, I now have some of the Tisbury coral, along with several other interesting pieces. These came in todays mail. I'll get better pics later. At 95 degrees with 103 heat index, it was just too hot for outdoor pics. So a TV table and incadescent lights had to do. John ran into a snag with the move he was making. The whole deal fell apart. From what I gathered in his note, he's in the process of moving back into his old place. He hopes to be hooked back up and online soon.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 2, 2012 20:35:59 GMT -5
Here's a little bit better pics of one piece of coral. After a computer search of Tisbury Coral, It appears to be Eunomia Radiata.
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on Dec 10, 2012 16:48:06 GMT -5
Don,hi-how are you old friend? Please excuse my lack of contact-busy -doesn't begin to describe where I have been ,missed you and everyone else here,alot-felt like my arms and legs were cut off- no internet for some time-no house for even longer-no access to anything,but I shall return ;D,nearly there,-watch this space! Thanks for your help and patience,wishing you and yours all the best for christmas and new year,John.
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