fwfranklen (Mike)
spending too much on rocks
Rock-ON--Have you kissed your rock today?
Member since August 2012
Posts: 379
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Post by fwfranklen (Mike) on Aug 6, 2012 6:07:07 GMT -5
I noticed the pile of items next to the sphere machine...LOL it looks just like my pile. Allen wrenches, drill, ball pein, etc. What are you setting up for a drip system? Mine has an easy and low cost solution. In time I will change it but for now will leave as is.  |
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fwfranklen (Mike)
spending too much on rocks
Rock-ON--Have you kissed your rock today?
Member since August 2012
Posts: 379
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Post by fwfranklen (Mike) on Aug 6, 2012 6:09:34 GMT -5
The thing that I wonder about is...did the guy that built this for me find the medical IV bag, like "was it used" YUK!!! Or did he some how get a new one that was empty...dougt it!!!!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723 
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Post by Fossilman on Aug 6, 2012 17:28:37 GMT -5
Wow!!! Super cool.......And welcome!
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Post by jakesrocks on Aug 6, 2012 17:53:36 GMT -5
Quote >> I noticed the pile of items next to the sphere machine...LOL it looks just like my pile. Allen wrenches, drill, ball pein, etc. What are you setting up for a drip system? Mine has an easy and low cost solution. In time I will change it but for now will leave as is.
LOL. Mama wasn't too happy about the tools on the living room carpet, but she got over it. Once I finish the wiring and get it located on a bench, I have an old 2 gallon garden spray tank that I'll use for a water supply. Just take the spray nozzle off and add a small valve to regulate the drip.
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Post by 3rdrockfromthefun on Aug 6, 2012 18:29:07 GMT -5
Nice equipment and love those tumbled rocks - candy! Is that red bacon-ish looking rock calcite?
I'm in the 'sneaking my way into SiC on a budget' market if you start selling things I might be interested.
Don - that tennis ball is coming along nicely! :cheesy:
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fwfranklen (Mike)
spending too much on rocks
Rock-ON--Have you kissed your rock today?
Member since August 2012
Posts: 379
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Post by fwfranklen (Mike) on Aug 6, 2012 18:29:45 GMT -5
Hey nice idea, think I will use that if you don't mind? I just happen to have one of those sprayers myself. Thanks.
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Post by jakesrocks on Aug 6, 2012 19:20:24 GMT -5
Hey nice idea, think I will use that if you don't mind? I just happen to have one of those sprayers myself. Thanks. The needle valves that they use for refrigerator ice maker lines should work perfect. |
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shermlock
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2011
Posts: 612
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Post by shermlock on Aug 6, 2012 20:43:57 GMT -5
Scott, the hydraulic press is pimarily used to break off the unwanted matrix from mineral samples. Or if I saw of the matrix I use the hydraulic press to make the sawed edge look more natural. I have used it to break off the unwanted ryolyte from thunder eggs so I can polish them in the vibe or tumbler. I put different ends that I made for the ram end...hard to see in picture the blunt end is sitting on the vise. A chisel, bunt, and point ends is what I made. I can get more control. Got it! I can see how that would come in handy...another tool for me to purchase! Scott |
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Post by jakesrocks on Aug 6, 2012 20:58:20 GMT -5
Quote >>Don - that tennis ball is coming along nicely!
Just deeded something to keep the threads on the cup adapter threads from getting beat up while I'm working on the machine. I have threaded PVC pipe caps covering them now.
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fwfranklen (Mike)
spending too much on rocks
Rock-ON--Have you kissed your rock today?
Member since August 2012
Posts: 379
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Post by fwfranklen (Mike) on Aug 6, 2012 21:28:52 GMT -5
3rdrockfromthefun, Pet wood if I got the rock right...No calcite in either picture.
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juzwuz
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 526
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Post by juzwuz on Aug 7, 2012 14:48:19 GMT -5
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 7, 2012 15:28:29 GMT -5
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rattlehead
starting to spend too much on rocks
MI Rocks
Member since December 2010
Posts: 213
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Post by rattlehead on Aug 14, 2012 10:38:48 GMT -5
I got a sphere machine from John Daly also. Works like a champ and John is a great guy. He really helped me get up to speed on sphere making.
I'm interested in how you are using core bits to make your pre-forms. Can you explain more? What equipment you're using? Where to get bits that size? Techniques? Etc... Thanks!
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fwfranklen (Mike)
spending too much on rocks
Rock-ON--Have you kissed your rock today?
Member since August 2012
Posts: 379
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Post by fwfranklen (Mike) on Aug 14, 2012 13:54:52 GMT -5
When I get the basement setup I will make a little video.
I use concrete coring equipment and bits. This can be a bit waistfull for really high quality rough stock. Concrete bits are really thick. The 3" coring bit is the outside diameter the core is only about 2.75".
You drill a core then you core the core. If you get the jig setup right you can drill the core 5 times and you have almost a perfect round rock. That requires little grinding. This really helps out doing the rough grind on the smaller sphere making machine like the ones we purchased from John Daly. Since I use diamond cups only on the rough grind and I use the diamond pads for every grind after. I take it to a 10000 grit diamond grind and then tin oxide or cerium. I have only used it for Jasper so not up on softer rocks. I have not done the $$$ math on what is cheaper the tried and true slab saw pre-form or the core cutting pre-form. It is a lot quicker and the pre-forms reach thier desired roundness with a lot less grinding. Less ware and tare on the sphere machines.
Mike
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fwfranklen (Mike)
spending too much on rocks
Rock-ON--Have you kissed your rock today?
Member since August 2012
Posts: 379
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Post by fwfranklen (Mike) on Aug 14, 2012 14:03:08 GMT -5
O I forgot the concrete bits can be purchased from ebay...just do a search on "concrete coring" stores.ebay.com/thenewmantradingcompany is one that I've purchase them from. I've had email conversation with John Rowland from Highland Park Lapidary about: begin Quote: "Hi Mike, We do manufacture our own cross drill jigs and would consider making some for you. If you can send me the diameters of your different cores, I will give you a quote to make a few jigs for you. Also, we are working on making our custom core bits commercially available. We had only made them for ourselves so far, but there is a fair amount of requests for this, so we are working on the development presently. |
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fwfranklen (Mike)
spending too much on rocks
Rock-ON--Have you kissed your rock today?
Member since August 2012
Posts: 379
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Post by fwfranklen (Mike) on Aug 14, 2012 14:05:33 GMT -5
I sent the diameters of my cores but still have not heard back from him. When they make these items available then it will be a lot easier.
Mike
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rattlehead
starting to spend too much on rocks
MI Rocks
Member since December 2010
Posts: 213
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Post by rattlehead on Aug 14, 2012 22:08:23 GMT -5
Thanks for the information Mike. I really appreciate it. Anything to make the process a bit easier would be great. I only have a 10" saw and like the idea of the core method over buying a larger saw. I would love to see that video when you get around to it. I'll keep an eye out. Nice to see another spheremaker on here! Keep in touch. Maybe I can interview you sometime for my blog!
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hand2mouthmining
spending too much on rocks
Purveyors of California Gem Rock
Member since September 2011
Posts: 495
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Post by hand2mouthmining on Sept 8, 2012 2:16:37 GMT -5
Holy Moley, Mike! What a workshop you're building ... Fantastic!  Looks like you'll be able to handle the Blue G nodule we sent you, no problem! ;D Best regards, Kris |
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fwfranklen (Mike)
spending too much on rocks
Rock-ON--Have you kissed your rock today?
Member since August 2012
Posts: 379
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Post by fwfranklen (Mike) on Sept 8, 2012 6:47:12 GMT -5
Thanks Kris. The issue I'm having is that everytime I unpack part of it I have to use it and play with it...I need to focus on the over all setup then start using the shop. Well just right after I finish this piece of Blue G. Yep this is the last one, well that plume still needs attention <sigh> I'm hopeless.
Mike
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Post by Rockoonz on Sept 8, 2012 11:53:32 GMT -5
Nice shop setup Mike. I like the old cabbing units and arbors, they give you more room to work larger pieces and cost a lot less to repair and maintain. The key for me to be able to cut and cab rock and still have a bit of garage left for cars has been to biuld work stations with shelving above and to put wheels under everything so I can roll it out of the way when I'm not using it.
Is your Sphere machine guy still able to get the gearmotors? My local sphere and sphere machine guy says HP lapidary bought everything the surplus center had, he's looking for a new source.
Lee
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