jet
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2017
Posts: 103 
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Post by jet on Apr 18, 2017 7:41:09 GMT -5
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 18, 2017 7:56:17 GMT -5
You've got some nice pieces there! I have never had the nerves to try carving a fire agate. I cabbed a couple, though..... still nerve wracking.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718 
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 18, 2017 9:05:49 GMT -5
Lots of nice pieces there! I am a newbie at working with the fire too....Just do a bit at a time,it will burn out on you in nothing flat!
Fun to work with though...You catch on fast....
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Post by Pat on Apr 18, 2017 9:06:29 GMT -5
That is a really good bunch! I don't do fire agate either, but have a drip system setup. Before that, I carved over a little pan of water, so I could dip both stone and Foredom in it periodically. Good luck!
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Apr 18, 2017 9:18:12 GMT -5
There's some really good material there. To counter the nerves, grade the rocks, fight (hard) the urge to start with a pretty one that motivates you, but pick up some duller / not so good pieces then start by learning your lessons with that. Learning your lessons with the stunners is more painful.
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jet
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2017
Posts: 103
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Post by jet on Apr 18, 2017 10:30:11 GMT -5
There's some really good material there. To counter the nerves, grade the rocks, fight (hard) the urge to start with a pretty one that motivates you, but pick up some duller / not so good pieces then start by learning your lessons with that. Learning your lessons with the stunners is more painful. Not even a consideration! I've already got some of the lesser quality/flash ones picked out to start on as I don't want my learning curve to potentially waste money. I'll be picking out the very best ones and putting them away until we feel adequate to the task. |
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,051
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Post by gemfeller on Apr 18, 2017 15:00:32 GMT -5
You never know about fire agate. Some of the best stones I've cut came from rough that didn't appear to have much promise. Learning to "read" the rough and using proper light is the best advice I can give. When I was cutting a lot of FA I found that indoor lighting can be quite misleading. I eventually put my arbor on a table with wheels and took it out into the sunshine when I was cutting. That helped me tremendously. Mileage may vary for other cutters.
A drip system is nice but I cut many fire agates using the "dip-and-grind" method suggested by Pat. One warning: be careful to avoid electrical shock. A Dremel could be more dangerous than the flex shaft arrangement I used for that application.
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Apr 18, 2017 15:23:27 GMT -5
You never know about fire agate. Some of the best stones I've cut came from rough that didn't appear to have much promise. Learning to "read" the rough and using proper light is the best advice I can give. When I was cutting a lot of FA I found that indoor lighting can be quite misleading. I eventually put my arbor on a table with wheels and took it out into the sunshine when I was cutting. That helped me tremendously. Mileage may vary for other cutters. A drip system is nice but I cut many fire agates using the "dip-and-grind" method suggested by Pat. One warning: be careful to avoid electrical shock. A Dremel could be more dangerous than the flex shaft arrangement I used for that application. I do the same, sunlight is best for fire agate cutting. I also dip and grind, and recommend a flex shaft tool over the dremel. I destroyed a dremel grinding fire agates. |
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Post by spiceman on Apr 18, 2017 23:28:33 GMT -5
Fire agates.....yahoo, very neat.
Bought one in a auction, you tube has lots of videos on working with it.
The word, burnt out, tiresome , yes all the above.
Post your progress.
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jet
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2017
Posts: 103
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Post by jet on Apr 19, 2017 14:56:53 GMT -5
Thanks for all the advice guys, I really appreciate it. I can see where dip and go would be a more realistic method for me. And also how sunlight would be infinitely preferable to indoor lighting. I'll have to figure out a workable solution. I don't fancy sitting outside when it's 104 degrees and letting the mosquitoes devour me alive. But that's less preferable than screwing up a bunch of stones. Hmmmmm......
also, for some reason I thought a Dremel and a Flextool were basically the same, but I googled and whew....based on the price difference they are vastly different. Any suggestions on what time of Flextool I should keep an eye out for? What else can I use it for?
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Post by Pat on Apr 19, 2017 15:05:16 GMT -5
You can attach a flex shaft to Dremels and to Foredom. I don't think Dremels are strong enough for carving.
I have a flexshaft on my Foredom. Good luck!
ETA. FOR CARVING, I suggest the Foredom. You have to get the flex shaft/handpiece that is for your Foredom. Not one size fits all.
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Apr 19, 2017 17:07:15 GMT -5
Foredom is what you want. I use a TX model, it has more torque than the SR model, but the SR model has reverse which could be useful...I guess. I've had mine for 8 years, and it get's used long hours every day, polishing jewelry and carving stones. have had to replace the foot pedal once due to the controller going out on it. Worth the money.
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Post by Pat on Apr 19, 2017 17:45:01 GMT -5
My Foredom is also a TX.
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jet
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2017
Posts: 103
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Post by jet on May 18, 2017 20:06:13 GMT -5
So I got my Foredom the other day and started on a fire agate today. (from yet another batch of fire agates I got in last week! I appear to have a problem.....) These fire agates were bought completely rough. Here's what I got so far....I don't think this is going to be some kind of great stone, but I'm immensely pleased so far. This is my first one and I think it's gonna make an adorable little button.   |
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