sdkidaho
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2017
Posts: 17 
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Post by sdkidaho on May 16, 2017 11:28:08 GMT -5
So cutting rocks has been fun, but I'm wondering what to make. I really don't wear rings, and I gave up bolo ties more than a decade ago. What do you folks make that you enjoy for yourselves? Maybe tie clips or cuff links, or... I'm not sure? I know I could make some things to give away, but I would definitely like to make some things for myself as well. Here's another rock I picked up at random out of Dads rock garden and cut in half. No clue what it is, but it was just black with tan lines. Once I cut it open it had that big white spot in it.    Dad has too many neat looking rocks in his rock garden. I can already tell that many of them are going to get cut up. |
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Post by captbob on May 16, 2017 13:22:48 GMT -5
Being that you are pillaging your dad's rock garden, why not make something for him? What would please him?
You have just over a month before Father's Day - get busy!
bookends
nice polished rock paper weight
thick slab drink coasters - most everyone uses coasters!
wind chime
dream catcher
...?
guess it depends on what you are able to do with the equipment you have
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sdkidaho
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2017
Posts: 17
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Post by sdkidaho on May 17, 2017 23:21:19 GMT -5
I'll definitely be making him something.
What do all of you like to make, as far as things you give away?
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Post by Pat on May 18, 2017 0:21:42 GMT -5
I make jewelry for women. If I made anything for a man, it would probably be a heavy chain link bracelet.
BTW Welcome!
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Post by coloradocliff on May 18, 2017 2:43:12 GMT -5
Drop polished stones where someone can find them especially kids areas. Give jars of stones to people who in turn give them to friends, family and especially to grandkids.
Unload my rocks I find out and about beside the nursery parking lot where many people "rock hound" my collected pile. Rocks, the gift that keeps people smiling.
I do take my favorite ones home.. Yep Maybe make him a stone handle for something he would keep and cherish. A set of stones for a knife handle. Pistol grips. Maybe the polished slabs set on a display. Bet he just loved it most when you spend time with him. Take dad to a rock shop and get him interested a bit. Nice to be treated human even when and probably especially, when you get older and then somehow become invisible and a bit forgotten.
What ever you do it will be good because you already released the beauty of the rock. Dad just might have been curious about it all along. Show him the rock..
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Post by Jugglerguy on May 18, 2017 5:43:01 GMT -5
I like to cut out shapes for refrigerator magnets. I live in a state with a fun shape, so I make these out of our state stone.  I give a lot of crosses away to church groups I'm in. Some people like to carry a cross in their pocket.  What else to make when you have a lot of green rocks? Shamrocks!  These were all cut on a regular trim saw. The crosses and shamrocks are polished in a Lot-O with lots of ceramic media. The Petoseky stones were polished on a flat lap because they're too soft to do in the Lot-O. |
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Post by HankRocks on May 18, 2017 6:15:34 GMT -5
What is the angle of the inclined platform you are using. It looks about 30 degrees. I definitely need one of those to help eliminate the under-cutting.
Thanks
Henry
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Post by kk on May 18, 2017 7:55:14 GMT -5
Started out making cabs to get acquainted with materials. And then progressed to carving.
I don't sell, so carving is ideal for me as it takes much longer to create something.
So, if you are in for the long haul, get creative like Jugglerguy suggested, and then progress from there.
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Post by Jugglerguy on May 18, 2017 9:27:44 GMT -5
What is the angle of the inclined platform you are using. It looks about 30 degrees. I definitely need one of those to help eliminate the under-cutting. Thanks Henry I don't remember what the angle is, but unless you have the same saw that I do, it doesn't matter. You have to design your ramp to fit your saw. The idea is to make the top of the ramp perpendicular to the tangent line of the circular saw blade. In other words, the top of the ramp should point right at the center of the saw blade, like the spoke of a wheel. I realize that bicycle spokes don't go right to the center of the wheel, but you get the idea. On the crosses, I try to not over cut the inside corners. If I'm off a bit, I try to stop cutting before I get all the way into the corner. You can always go back and cut a little more if necessary. Another tip on the crosses, is to cut the ends of the four arms off first and then go back and cut the inside corners later. If you cut the ends of the arms last, it sometimes chips at the end of the cut, sort of like blow out when drilling through a rock. |
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sdkidaho
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2017
Posts: 17
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Post by sdkidaho on May 18, 2017 22:45:47 GMT -5
Definitely helpful ideas - thanks for the replies!
Last year at a family reunion I dropped arrowheads for the kids to find. I don't know I didn't think about dropping fancy rocks for people to pick up. I like the idea of the pocket rocks and magnets too. Lots of good ideas. - thank you again.
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Post by Psycho on Jun 13, 2017 10:13:26 GMT -5
Maybe a wire wrapped Arrowhead pendant or keychain Arrowhead. He would see the keyring daily with your gift.and I know Father's day is in a few days so...... Lol
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