grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Jun 3, 2013 14:09:08 GMT -5
I recently posted some tumbler cabs that were cut and shaped with a tile saw. There was some interest in how far along one needs to be to finish up well in a vibe tumbler. I was playing with a shard today and thought I would take a couple shots. I am curious to see if anyone can tell me what 'grit coarseness' the scratches left by the saw blade seem equal to. Thanks for any comments, Bill Finished shape dry, ready to tumble And wet.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
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Post by jamesp on Jun 3, 2013 17:34:32 GMT -5
Most saws do 40-50 grit.Chinese diamonds are graded differently in size.Your blade is probalbly made there.But those scratches look close to 35-45 grit.You see the chipping on the edges.That is typical especially clear hard agate like that Montana.Well done
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,564
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Post by jamesp on Jun 3, 2013 17:43:17 GMT -5
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2013 23:36:39 GMT -5
wait'll he vibes it at 220 or whatever! Huge change wet/dry. Please show the progress.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
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Post by jamesp on Jun 4, 2013 5:16:12 GMT -5
220 works great on that type of abrasion.500 takes too long in my experience.Can you find that killer Montana agate close by?If you can you are fortunate.I was always curious how common it is.
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grayfingers
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Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Jun 4, 2013 7:53:21 GMT -5
James, I do find agate near here, but the good stuff with nice inclusions is on the Yellowstone River gravels about 4 hours drive east from where I live in the Gallatin valley. It is only 25 miles to the River from here, where it flows out of the Paradise valley onto the plains, but the best agate is found from Forsyth and down river from there. I wish I was closer, but for living, I will take the mountains over the prairie. And, I have reason to believe there is undiscovered agate and jaspers in the Gallatin Range, which runs from our valley south into Yellowstone Park.
The good moss agate is in the alluvial gravels that extend as much as 15 miles to either side of the river. Some of the best agate is found in spring in fields that were plowed in the fall. The reason the Yellowstone river is known as the source is simply due to it cutting through said gravel deposits. Every spring, high water moves the rocks, so it is fresh hunting every year. I have made contact with a fellow that has invited me to his ranch near Glendive. He has a lot of gravel hills, and he digs his own road gravel. Has some kind of a washing and sizing set up. Says they find a lot of un-fractured nodules. (spared the rolling down the river, and the freeze thaw process.)
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,564
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Post by jamesp on Jun 4, 2013 8:02:47 GMT -5
My coral hole is 3.5 - 6 hours away.Probably better that way.I am interested in how you westerners speak of washes,rivers,dug gravels,freeze protected gravels,deposits,ranges,valleys.Your vocabulary is geological and topograghical more than you think.We have to listen carefully(flatlanders). The moss agate is impressive from Montana too.The Montana agate is some hard material and takes as good a shine as anything.
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