rocksolid
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2014
Posts: 15
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Post by rocksolid on Feb 3, 2014 23:47:13 GMT -5
How did folks Cut stones or rocks before electricity?
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Post by parfive on Feb 4, 2014 0:19:40 GMT -5
Slowly. And before diamond tools, even slowlyier. : )
Fun to think about when you walk through a museum with old Chinese jade . . .
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Post by parfive on Feb 4, 2014 0:22:12 GMT -5
Water wheels Mill stones Garnet powder
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Post by mohs on Feb 4, 2014 1:22:26 GMT -5
yep lots of slurry
if your ever in prison with dental floss and tooth paste you could saw the steel bars I only have another 30 years and I should be free!
good question!
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Feb 4, 2014 8:35:29 GMT -5
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Post by rockpickerforever on Feb 4, 2014 10:10:28 GMT -5
How did folks do anything before electricity? The hard way - more work, and took much more time.
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Post by kk on Feb 4, 2014 10:10:46 GMT -5
From a book on Chinese Jade History: Shaping, smoothing and polishing Open work Hollowing Carving Sawing
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GeorgeStoneStore
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 168
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Post by GeorgeStoneStore on Feb 4, 2014 13:41:05 GMT -5
Electricity was not ... only have long time ... they're in no hurry to ago.
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Post by 1dave on Feb 4, 2014 20:55:10 GMT -5
You get one job done and only have to start another. What's the rush?
"The oxen are slow, but the earth is patient."
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,352
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Post by quartz on Feb 4, 2014 23:19:25 GMT -5
"Turning and Mechanical Manipulation" vol. III, "Abrasive and Other Processes Not Accomplished With Cutting Tools" by Charles Holtzapffel, published in London, 1894. This book has a lot of information on lapidary method and practice of the time. I couldn't find an open library read of this volume, lots of places sell it, and your local library may have it or can get it. The book has lots of print information and woodcut pics. of machines and processes, I found it very interesting.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,560
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Post by jamesp on Feb 5, 2014 7:26:54 GMT -5
A good work ethic was a big help. Goblet. German, 16th century jasper, with gilt bronze mounts. 14cm., 5½in.
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Post by mohs on Feb 5, 2014 10:50:44 GMT -5
I think you just found the holy grail ! that's serious!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,560
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Post by jamesp on Feb 5, 2014 11:18:17 GMT -5
I think you just found the holy grail ! that's serious! The Germans had giant grinding wheels Ed. Like 12 inches wide and 5 feet in diameter run off of a water mill. I would like to roll one down one of those hills in San Francisco.
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Post by mohs on Feb 5, 2014 11:40:04 GMT -5
right on james! I saw a picture of those 18th century water wheels some of those wheels must have been 12' diameter the lapidarist would lie on their bellies and grind rock beautiful
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,560
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Post by jamesp on Feb 5, 2014 12:26:35 GMT -5
right on james! I saw a picture of those 18th century water wheels some of those wheels must have been 12' diameter the lapidarist would lie on their bellies and grind rock beautiful You would have made a good 'belly grinder' Ed. Belly Boys. I did not realize they were so big.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,019
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 5, 2014 12:33:23 GMT -5
The great sandstone wheels like this were powered by water in the twin German villages of Idar-Oberstein. Enormous quantities of quartz minerals were cut and sold worldwide. The beautiful local agates were depleted before the 18th century but German immigrants to Brazil sent tons of Brazilian agate back as ballast in ships. Because the Brazilian agates weren't as colorful as the local agates had been, the Germans became expert at dyeing agate to produce all sorts of colors and effects.
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Post by mohs on Feb 5, 2014 13:00:35 GMT -5
thanks for posting that Rick! I only saw some wood cut pictures/illustrations Idar would be on the list to visit stone masons the whole mythology of the Knight Templars & masonry that go back to forever what history of rock
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Feb 5, 2014 13:52:58 GMT -5
Don't forget steam powered equipment, including drag saws.
Chuck
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,019
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 5, 2014 15:02:48 GMT -5
Idar would be on the list to visit I spent a couple of days there a few years back and was finally able to scratch that entry off my Bucket List. It's a charming place with a couple of amazing gem museums. If you ever visit do a little pre-planning to follow the German Gemstone Routes that take you in two circles through the little surrounding towns where artisans still have many workshops and sales rooms (ateliers). Their history dates to the Middle Ages. I wish I'd had a couple of weeks to see more.
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Post by mohs on Feb 5, 2014 19:49:23 GMT -5
Right on Rick ! Is that one of your pictures?
The wheel brings up another question How was it made?
Quarried,sawed and formed rounded?
Or was it poured, pressurized, and tempered? If so…what bonding agent did they use…mostly?
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