Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Mar 5, 2013 15:45:31 GMT -5
Okay this a 2 parter. This is my quandary. I have these three quartzite (I don't know if they are agate or quartz...i'll call them "cheetos quartzite") with pit/pock/wormholes with grit stuck in them. (the pictures vaguely illustrate this). I'm putting it through a 24 hour borax wash. I was wondering if anything would get this deep stuff out. People on the forum stated that epoxy would work once the grit is out...but that is moot since the grit wont come out. I'll try an ultrasonic cleaner...but are there any other ideas? Attachments:
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Mar 5, 2013 15:46:05 GMT -5
Part 2 Attachments:
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Post by Peruano on Mar 5, 2013 16:16:35 GMT -5
Henry, Its hard to see how deep those holes are but I suspect you are stuck with nice stones with a hint of grey internally. Toothbrushes get some, borax/soap washes get some, but some stays as grey characters of the stones unless you are lucky. Tom
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Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 5, 2013 17:36:23 GMT -5
Have you tried flushing out with a waterpik? Jean
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Mar 5, 2013 18:04:25 GMT -5
Yep. Tried the waterpick with little results. I think the holes are too small.
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Mar 5, 2013 22:57:12 GMT -5
Putting any stone in a ultra sonic is taking a chance on cracking it. Even invisible flaws may fracture.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,564
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Post by jamesp on Mar 5, 2013 23:01:11 GMT -5
Diamond drill will shatter it quickly.Or a sharpened nail as a chiesel to crack the grit,it's brittle.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,564
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Post by jamesp on Mar 5, 2013 23:08:39 GMT -5
This material always does this.The material polished great,even with dozens of grit stuck in the holes.I used a diamond drill and drilled the grit out. Attachments:
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,564
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Post by jamesp on Mar 5, 2013 23:10:53 GMT -5
Closer view Attachments:
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Mar 5, 2013 23:49:40 GMT -5
So I should probably leave well-enough-alone. Are these agate or quartz?
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,564
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Post by jamesp on Mar 6, 2013 0:22:31 GMT -5
agate
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Mar 6, 2013 1:08:17 GMT -5
use a needle... either a sewing needle or 1 that you would get from a store on a new collared button down shirt... the tip will work for cleaning out the holes, I have done this multiple times myself... inset pointy end into hole, swirl it around as best you can and turn over a tap, (calm down you pervs!! ) repeat, then blow out holes and add epoxy or whatever sealer you are using!! taa daa !!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,564
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Post by jamesp on Mar 6, 2013 7:53:11 GMT -5
That's better using a needle.Yea.Good choice
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Mar 6, 2013 14:05:09 GMT -5
I'd like to thank everyone for their replies! I used a combinations of everyone's methods to get most of the grit out. I used a needle, brush and soap, water-pick, and lastly a high pressure hose. I got most of the grit out and it didn't take a whole lot of time. Henry Attachments:
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Mar 6, 2013 14:07:28 GMT -5
Sorry for the blurriness. Attachments:
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