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Post by stardiamond on Oct 6, 2014 18:30:05 GMT -5
I got a couple pieces of rough on ebay. The bottom left was 1/2 nodule and the pattern didn't go below the first slice. The other 3 cuts were from a full nodule with nothing showing. I think I'm done buying nodules. I like the pattern on the upper left.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Oct 6, 2014 19:06:23 GMT -5
yup, upper left will be a keeper for sure. bottom left could be a great cab too. nice cuts.
Chuck
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Oct 6, 2014 19:15:45 GMT -5
Nice! Great colors and patterns to work with in those slabs. Cutting MTs can be as tricky as you want to make it. To get those full bodied dendrites often requires reading the rough and making very specific cuts at precise angles. Or plain old good luck...Cheers
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Post by stardiamond on Oct 6, 2014 19:27:13 GMT -5
I'm not too experienced with the nodules. I cut a slice to remove the skin and see what's there. If I don't see anything I cut off another slice of skin. Unfortunately I may cut through the dendrites when I remove the skin. I cut the slabs rather thick, because they are on a trim saw and can be uneven. I should able to even them out removing material from the back. The patterns don't go all the way through, but enough to dome a bit. Montana offers a lot of surprises but is tough on blades.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Oct 6, 2014 19:50:35 GMT -5
I have heard people talk about using a candle to check Montana's before cutting so I did a quick google search and came up with this. "Candle your Montana agate as you would eggs. Punch a small hole in the bottom of a two pound coffee can, turn it upside down and place a light inside. It is surprising how the light will show the dendrites. This saves cutting time, and can direct your cut." I came across this Montana agate PDF too and it looks pretty darn good. I have to go back and read it all when I have time. tgms.weebly.com/uploads/3/3/6/9/3369036/meandeingmontanarockhound.pdfChuck
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Oct 6, 2014 19:56:05 GMT -5
stardiamond might try candling them before you cut. Dark room with a bright spot light than you can shield, dip rock in water (avoid electrocution ) then put the rock on the edge of the light. The real experienced guys can pick up the dendrite lines, color, etc.... Then the trick is hold the rock in such a way that you can cut the precise location and angle to yield the good stuff you candled..... I think trying to read them is half the fun of cutting MTs. Also I really like cabbing the rind/skin, this part of the rock often yields very cool patterns. But all that said, you produced some very fine slabs. Cheers
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Oct 6, 2014 19:57:38 GMT -5
Ha when I hit reply I saw Chuck had already pointed you in that direction....Fry's PDF is a great read. Step back in time. Cheers
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