junglejim
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 344 
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Post by junglejim on Feb 25, 2014 23:58:27 GMT -5
I just purchased a 3.5 lb. piece of Mexican Crazy Lace Agate and would like to break it up into 1-2 inch pieces to put in my rotary tumbler. What rock hammer would be best to break this up? Any other tools that I might need? I'm still tumbling my very first batch so any suggestions are very much appreciated.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 26, 2014 11:19:12 GMT -5
To bad you couldn't find somebody with a rock saw to slab it down for you.....Some use a gunny sack and any hammer and start wacking away,some hammer the ends and try to slice it off too on pressure points..I don't know how Mexican lace fractures though..Good luck!
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,548
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Post by tkvancil on Feb 26, 2014 13:31:14 GMT -5
I have cracked a few pieces of Crazy Lace but have had better luck cutting it on a tile saw. I use either a 16 oz. hammer or a 2# hammer and a cold chisel. I start with the lighter hammer and place the chisel where I want to break the rock. Wrap a rag around the rock with chisel sticking out. Rag helps keep pieces from flying away. If the lighter hammer doesn't crack it after the first couple whacks I go to the bigger one. I prefer using the chisel over just hammering. I feel like I get more control where it breaks and less dust and small chips. I always look for cracks or voids to place the chisel on. It is not an exact science to be sure . Sometimes you'll get a clean break right where you hoped it would be. Sometimes you'll get a bunch of random chips and chunks. You may want to experiment on something you don't value much before you crack something you do value. Hope this helps and best of luck.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Feb 26, 2014 15:08:11 GMT -5
Instead of a bag to contain the rock fragments, I use a Tupperware box with a hole cut in he bottom. The hole was drilled just a little larger than the diameter of my chisel. I place the Tupperware upside down over the rock, place the chisel through and whack it with a hammer. I can see through the Tupperware so I can get the chisel right where I want it. Even through everything is pretty well contained, I still wear safety glasses.
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on Feb 26, 2014 18:19:35 GMT -5
I found that I lost a lot of rock if I broke it up with a hammer to tumble sized pieces. A 3.5 lb rock would probably fit a tile saw and you could cut pieces without sharp edges that would take a long time to tumble round. Cut squares rectangles and triangles and cut your waste.
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junglejim
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 344
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Post by junglejim on Feb 26, 2014 20:34:45 GMT -5
Thanks for the help, I'll pick up a cold chisel. Nothing will go to waste because even small pieces will be used with another hobby working with resin and custom fishing lures. I actually combine three hobbies into one. Rocks, resin and fishing jigs and spinnerbaits. Flatter pieces work the best. The small rock pieces others might throw away I'd love to have.
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