itsandbits
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 825
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Post by itsandbits on Jan 29, 2013 15:22:56 GMT -5
I can't find the thread where someone was asking about making earplugs so I am posting here in the hopes they see it. From slab to finished took about an hour and I will be able to make improvements on the second one I make if I do. This was all done on my ( inspired by H2M mining ) "Frankencutters" which are a 10 speed drill press I use for cutting rough, drilling/cutting holes, and this kind of shaping and for carving out places for inserts, and my grinding/polishing unit which is a 7 in. angle polisher/grinder with a variable speed trigger that I mount my 7 in. flat lap disks on and my 5 in. resin/diamond floor polishing pads. I know there are a few warts but it is the first one and I was going for the concept more than anything. The "Blue G" slab was just over 1/2 in. tapering off a little so nothing is totally square. Attachments:
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itsandbits
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 825
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Post by itsandbits on Jan 29, 2013 15:23:55 GMT -5
second photo Attachments:
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itsandbits
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 825
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Post by itsandbits on Jan 29, 2013 15:24:46 GMT -5
final, warts and all Attachments:
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jan 29, 2013 16:01:38 GMT -5
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 29, 2013 18:28:19 GMT -5
I prefer the soft foam earplugs. Those look uncomfortable.
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itsandbits
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 825
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Post by itsandbits on Jan 29, 2013 19:13:13 GMT -5
you guys crack me up :<)
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2013 13:14:08 GMT -5
That must have took some time to route that groove in using a drillpress like that. Great job for perservering. Looks like your stone is actually blue too! Congrats!
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Post by helens on Jan 30, 2013 13:48:47 GMT -5
That's pretty wild looking:). I still can't fathom why anyone would do that to their ears...
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itsandbits
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 825
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Post by itsandbits on Jan 30, 2013 14:28:09 GMT -5
actually Shotgunner, the cutting of the circle and routing takes no time at all with the water drip and the table of the drill press to slide it along and keep it even; 15 minutes at most; works great for grooving too, I just put a thick 6 In. dia. blade in the same chuck. What took the longest was polishing in the groove but it would have been better if I used a stone the same thickness all the way:<) but this was just a test.
I don't know why either Helen but if you look online the costs for these things in nice material runs to 2-300$ a peice. Not my idea of a good time but I'm not into body tatoos either.
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itsandbits
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 825
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Post by itsandbits on Jan 30, 2013 15:13:40 GMT -5
sorry, I missed the remark on the colour but some of it the matrix is greener and with certain light settings on the camera It makes it look way greener than it is by eye.
After I made this I thought that a cord tied in the groove would make it into a nice bead/pendant, or even do a nice wire wrap on the groove portion.
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2013 16:41:41 GMT -5
I have made a few sets for people and even with a 1/4 inch thick slab and the center cut out of the plug they were too heavy and stretched the ear lobes. Be careful with your guarantee.  Jim |
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Post by gingerkid on Jan 30, 2013 17:21:43 GMT -5
I prefer the soft foam earplugs. Those look uncomfortable. ROFL!! Those are gorgeous Blue G earplugs, Lloyd! Fascinating how you made them! ;D |
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,492
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 30, 2013 17:30:31 GMT -5
I'm with Helen. I think the plugs look cool but putting them in a ear, man that is gross. I've seen a few young'uns with them and man they are fugly. I know self mutilation is popular with primitive tribes and more so now with our youth but the whole piercing, plugging thing ain't pretty in my book. I kind of like tasteful tats ( Tasteful, not like a buddy of mine with mermaids around his nipples. What the heck was he thinking ? *L*) or like cartoons. I myself, often get bored with wall art so why the heck would I want a dang cartoon permanently on my hide?....Mel
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Post by gingerkid on Jan 30, 2013 17:36:08 GMT -5
I kind of like tasteful tats ( Tasteful, not like a buddy of mine with mermaids around his nipples. What the heck was he thinking ? *L*) or like cartoons. I myself, often get bored with wall art so why the heck would I want a dang cartoon permanently on my hide?....Mel ROFL, Mel, you are a hoot!! ;D |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2013 17:27:46 GMT -5
not like a buddy of mine with mermaids around his nipples. What the heck was he thinking ? I once dated a lady that had a little man pushing a lawnmower tattoo. It was placed so the mower was moving south and the little man was at her beltline. hehe RE: ear gauges (plugs). It seems to me the density of blue G would preclude it's comfort for this use. I gave some to a girl in lapidary class and she made gauges but I never saw her wear them. In fact, she has been absent since then.  She's a nice young lady. |
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itsandbits
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 825
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Post by itsandbits on Feb 1, 2013 21:57:28 GMT -5
My daughter showed me the listings for these things; she doesn't use them but friends do, that got me thinking about the commercial aspects and then on another forum there was a lady that was showing off her son's; 1 1/4in stones !/2in thick and how he wears them all the time; doesn't look good to me, kinda like the ones you see in the geograpic magazines where a persons bottom lip is hanging on their chest, but if they are willing to do it and want some, what the heck, it's their choice. I've seen a lot of them and man it sure isn't something I would do.
Hope the girl recovers and comes back to class:<))
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She's a nice young lady. 
