jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Nov 21, 2013 10:06:12 GMT -5
Flint knapping hammer styles dating back to ancestors. See soft brass head. napping hammer, for flint lock shooters, brass head, forged iron handle, overall length is 4-3/4", for resharpening gun flints instantly. . . . $12.99
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Nov 21, 2013 10:26:55 GMT -5
These long handled 8 once hammers are the best thing that ever happened to my tumbles. They are chinese pieces of crap that the junkyard sells for $1 each. BUT-they are soft steel. And i do not have to heat them. And with the long handle they pack a wallop. And easy on the tennis elbow using high speed of impact instead of heavy weight type impact.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Nov 21, 2013 10:34:53 GMT -5
Here is a copper spalling hammer. This hammer allows the head to rotate to avoid hitting the same spot and getting a flat spot. I prefer soft steel over copper for doing tumbles. Mainly because soft steel works best on hard coral. But the Lavic Jasper Scott sent me easily reduced w/brass hammer. And brass hammers are cool for doing tumbles.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Nov 21, 2013 10:36:30 GMT -5
Coral tycoon and hammer master, lol!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2013 10:42:57 GMT -5
As much time as James spends on the computer I think it is all a smoke screen. I will bet his wife is out there slaving away doing all this work while James tip toes through the tulips taking photos of all HIS labors. A sad day indeed. Jim
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Nov 21, 2013 10:46:26 GMT -5
That batch ran over 2 months Bill. I posted 3 pounds of it a couple weeks ago. And 3 pounds of the same batch in this post. I could another 3 pounds of mostly new colors/textures. I picked 4 pounds out that had a fracture. and the remaining 11-12 pounds was w/out fracture. I am running three 16 pound, one 22 pound and one 35 pound barrel as we speak. but i cull 40 % in rough grind. so this 15 pound finished run is best of 25 - 30 pounds of rough. As long as i have such a wide variety i will keep tumbling. It is the only way to polish all the variety. And removing the skin where the color is wildest does not make good starts for cabs but great tumbles. When hammering agate/coral/jasper to make spalls/tumbles the spearhead guys use soft hammers like copper/brass/soft steel. The coral is so hard the brass and copper is too soft but soft steel works perfect. And it is a big point that the tumblers need to know. Hard steel hammers like you find in all stores send fractures through the rock. Spearhead makers hate fractures most. They need 2-8 inch long slabs w/no fractures.Or spalls w/no fractures. So breaking spalls off is done with soft metal hammers. So i use my torch and turn the hammer head cherry red and then cover it w/sand to cool it slow making it soft. Making my own reducing hammers. So that when you strike agate type rocks it slowly mushrooms the hammer head. Meaning that it is soft. I use the same hammers on moss,layered,wood and all other agates. Sorry about the long elaboration Bill but i want to make a point about these soft hammers and you will put up w/my long winded dialogue:) I will go find these hammers.... Basic history of Knapping by Wikopedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knapping
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Nov 21, 2013 10:49:07 GMT -5
Jim, my wife wins the 'too much time on the computer battle'. Trustify me on that one. And this is off season for me so.
Did you call me master,,,,,Jean.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Nov 21, 2013 10:53:42 GMT -5
Hammer master, James. Why, you've got more hammers than you can shake a stick at! I know, I know, each one has it's own purpose.
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grayfingers
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Post by grayfingers on Nov 21, 2013 10:55:30 GMT -5
James, your musings are quite informative. I too have noticed that whacking a nodule of agate or jasper with my 3 lb. hammer did just what you said. I then took to using chisels, tap on existing fractures until they pop. I have a cheap hammer that I will try the heat softening on.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Nov 21, 2013 11:03:36 GMT -5
Cheap X-ray test on big ole' chips
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Nov 21, 2013 11:13:22 GMT -5
Ancient history of knapping(and soft hammer technology) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KnappingSome other rock reducing/knapping stuff-weird ips on choosing a solid copper billet: Largest solid copper billets are used for breaking off large flakes or sometimes called spalling, such as the 1-3/4, 1-1/2" and the 1-1/4" diameters. The most popular length in these larger sizes are the 5". They are adequate for heavy work such as trimming and rock hunting. You can't hurt these tools with over ground platforms. Solid copper billets serve as an essential component for the serious knapper's tool kit. Tip: Heavier billets make for aggressive flaking but leave little room for error. The 1", 7/8", 3/4" are the smaller sizes used for percussion billets on preforms and finish work. The smaller diameter rods are for micro billets or punches and experimentation. Some of the advantages of solid copper billets include durability, heavier weight and nearly indefinite tool life. * The Asterisk indicates the recommended and most widely preferred sizes by experienced knappers. Please Note: Billets are + or - 1/8" in length due to machining when applicable.
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grayfingers
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Post by grayfingers on Nov 21, 2013 11:28:22 GMT -5
Hammer master, James. Why, you've got more hammers than you can shake a stick at! I know, I know, each one has it's own purpose. Nice James, looks like guitar slides.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
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Post by jamesp on Nov 21, 2013 13:02:51 GMT -5
It has been a while since hearing that one. Having heard that song is a far cry from knowing the madness of such a video. wow
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Post by wireholic on Nov 21, 2013 13:50:48 GMT -5
How did I miss this thread yesterday? Love the coral, want the hammers, but I refuse to call you master LOL
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Nov 21, 2013 14:07:56 GMT -5
No way i was getting my hopes up on that WireholicKaren. Thanks for noticing the coral and setting me straight. Being master of Jean is all i can handle(i know you won't tell her i said this).
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Post by rockpickerforever on Nov 21, 2013 15:29:32 GMT -5
No way i was getting my hopes up on that WireholicKaren. Thanks for noticing the coral and setting me straight. Being master of Jean is all i can handle(i know you won't tell her i said this). What, you wait until I logout, and then make a statement like that?! I could've called you a master something else, but I refrained, lol. James, you can keep that little thought in your head if it makes you happy. I can't believe that TG has snuck up up on me so fast. I've got to run out and get a turkey to cook this weekend to take the desert for Thanksgiving. It's a tradition. My family may not like it, but they've accepted it.
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Post by beefjello on Nov 21, 2013 17:01:38 GMT -5
Some sweet ones in there Jim!
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Nov 21, 2013 17:55:52 GMT -5
The only time i was master is when i was told to be master. What kinda master is that? Masterslave haha.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2013 18:42:23 GMT -5
When Jim was young his first job was baiting hooks for a commercial fisherman. Two years later we was a journeyman baiter.
Today I learn his has earned the title of Master.
Great job Jim!
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Post by rockpickerforever on Nov 21, 2013 19:06:14 GMT -5
Scott, you knew where I was going, but I wasn't going to go there... jamesp is a Master Instigator!
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