jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
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Post by jamesp on May 20, 2014 18:39:38 GMT -5
From a creek in Zephyr Hills Florida. It is silicified coral. And seems to not be common. Slabs w/black color are heat treated. Cut at 45 to tubes Cut at about 30 to tubes About 30 to tubes Cut straight down the tubes Tubes curved, angle varies Cut at 45 45
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on May 20, 2014 18:49:29 GMT -5
Nice! I like the triple colors!
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on May 20, 2014 20:04:35 GMT -5
Those are really cool. When you say heat treated what does that entail? Stu
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sheldon74
having dreams about rocks
Member since May 2013
Posts: 59
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Post by sheldon74 on May 20, 2014 20:51:05 GMT -5
Very nice!
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Post by pghram on May 20, 2014 21:39:24 GMT -5
Nice ones.
Rich
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on May 20, 2014 22:04:20 GMT -5
Thumbs up! Fossil-tastic. Cheers
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azgnoinc
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 484
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Post by azgnoinc on May 20, 2014 22:44:15 GMT -5
Very cool cuts!!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
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Post by jamesp on May 21, 2014 6:50:53 GMT -5
Those are really cool. When you say heat treated what does that entail? Stu Stu- Using this green industrial furnace I heat the rock in 100F increments to 600F over a 24 hour period, gradually to avoid fracture. And then cut it off and let it cool for 30-40 hours. If the rock is wet it must be dried for 24 hours at 200F or it will certainly crack at 212F. I used to use a kitchen top oven that was rated at 575F. Native man buried rock a few inches in sand and built a controlled fire over it(avoiding windy days). If the wind starts up it can raise the heat of the fire quickly. Many rocks only need 350F, so it is material dependent. Typically material w/iron that is yellow-orange does best. But purple and pink and black is often a result. This furnace was a welding rod preheating/drying furnace that is 240 VAC and well insulated.
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 21, 2014 12:10:18 GMT -5
I love the contrast in the first ones best. As for saw oil, when you sent me the coral cabs to cab, they came fully marinated, smelling like kerosene. But they didn't have a lot of black on them until I used my saw to trim them. My bad, wasn't thinking... After cutting, I soaked the slabs in a degreaser, and also used Dawn and hot water with a brush until they were suitably clean. I think I got them pretty well cleaned up. Next time, will cut the coral first, when the saw oil has just been changed and the saw cleaned.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
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Post by jamesp on May 21, 2014 15:06:11 GMT -5
I love the contrast in the first ones best. As for saw oil, when you sent me the coral cabs to cab, they came fully marinated, smelling like kerosene. But they didn't have a lot of black on them until I used my saw to trim them. My bad, wasn't thinking... After cutting, I soaked the slabs in a degreaser, and also used Dawn and hot water with a brush until they were suitably clean. I think I got them pretty well cleaned up. Next time, will cut the coral first, when the saw oil has just been changed and the saw cleaned. Best way to clean that kerosene is to leave the rocks on the roof in full sun for 2 months. That material you got was freshly sawn. It is a great saw lub. Seems like great chemicals are the most poisonous or smelly, go figure.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on May 22, 2014 17:42:01 GMT -5
great slabs James! these pics reminded me that I had a slab of your coral that you had labeled "Zephyr hills" so I went ahead and cabbed it up last night. Chuck
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
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Post by jamesp on May 24, 2014 8:10:12 GMT -5
great slabs James! these pics reminded me that I had a slab of your coral that you had labeled "Zephyr hills" so I went ahead and cabbed it up last night. Read more: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/65808/sliced-small-corals#ixzz32dd1553eDarn. I sent you fractures. Not the norm. Hell Chuck, you can put a shine on a piece of rubber. Hid that other cab you did for me in the jewelry box. You da man. Great skills.
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on May 24, 2014 11:23:33 GMT -5
Those are some mighty pretty slabs, James! I've been looking at that gorgeous piece of coral I got from you & scouting out how best to cut it. Hopefully I can get in in the vise so's I can reduce it down to size to slab it..
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
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Post by jamesp on May 24, 2014 14:46:03 GMT -5
Those are some mighty pretty slabs, James! I've been looking at that gorgeous piece of coral I got from you & scouting out how best to cut it. Hopefully I can get in in the vise so's I can reduce it down to size to slab it.. I have the Coral Calypso pointed SWS to get some more after the heat parches the river. I have to go 3 miles downstream to the third shoal to get that white material with the little eyes and botryoids. Can't wait Donnie. Will expand horizons and go past that shoal now that I have a new $200 used flat bottom w/higher gunnels. the shoal at 5-6 miles down is laden with broken pieces of botryoids. Will have to cross my fingers for a safe return trip. You made that material shine with you cab machinery. And thanks.
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on May 24, 2014 17:11:44 GMT -5
I took care of the problem of trying to cut that hunk. I grabbed a hunk of Stoney Creek jasper (hard stuff) with a nice rounded top & threw the coral on it. Split into 3 pieces......perfect! I couldn't have cut it that perfectly & it sure would have taken a heck of a lot longer. Now I have some nice druzy pieces & the 3 pieces will be real easy for me to cut. I am looking forward to you finding some more. It won't be long now before I have a cab for you & a wrapped one for your wife coming your way. You just have to bear with me, I am kind of slow but I eventually get things done.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
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Post by jamesp on May 24, 2014 20:18:48 GMT -5
Good to hear that you process that one. It was a chunk. Not to be concerned about the cabs. I will be delighted w/them.
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