Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,991
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Post by Tommy on Sept 27, 2017 20:48:32 GMT -5
I've finally gotten my 18" saw fixed again and resumed cutting on the Holt Canyon material we collected with the RTH group. I found a lot of *really* interesting stuff - agate jaspers and some plume agate, but 90% of what I've cut so far has been full of fractures to the point of falling apart. Cut this piece today - it's a good sized rock - probably around 15lbs. There are some fractures but overall it's pretty stable and should yield cabochon sized pieces between the cracks. zarguy - I'm sure you've seen it all come off the hill - how does this rate and would you call it a moss or a plume? It's got some of both I guess, mostly moss.   @shotgunner |
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Post by 1dave on Sept 27, 2017 21:09:42 GMT -5
That mountain top leads a tough life!
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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 Sept 27, 2017 21:22:00 GMT -5
That's pretty nice, don't see much with that white in the mix.
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Sept 28, 2017 0:19:00 GMT -5
Tommy Nice slabs. I'd call it moss. Fractures are the name of the game for Holt. Most of what we collect is on or close to the surface, so the freeze/thaw cycle rears its ugly fractures. I can't wait to see cabs from those slabs. The white/pink/red combo is nice. Lynn
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Post by orrum on Sept 28, 2017 7:14:54 GMT -5
Nice one Tommy!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723 
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Post by Fossilman on Sept 28, 2017 8:49:01 GMT -5
Now that red is nice looking.....great slab...
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,991
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Post by Tommy on Sept 28, 2017 11:27:00 GMT -5
OK, you got me Bill. I actually stole that one out of your bucket while you weren't looking. Nope ya can't have it back. |
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Post by fernwood on Sept 28, 2017 14:18:54 GMT -5
That is going to yield some nice cabs.
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Post by fantastic5 on Sept 28, 2017 14:26:40 GMT -5
That's some really pretty material. Glad some of it is holding together.
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,991
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Post by Tommy on Sept 28, 2017 15:14:00 GMT -5
That's some really pretty material. Glad some of it is holding together. was...  I mapped out a couple of solid spots for cabbing today and its breaking in places where no fractures are showing even under magnification. Frustrating but too purty to give up on. |
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Post by orrum on Sept 28, 2017 17:54:07 GMT -5
You go Tommy!!! LOL. Help yourself any time!
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fishnpinball
Cave Dweller
So much to learn, so little time
Member since March 2017
Posts: 1,491
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Post by fishnpinball on Sept 28, 2017 18:11:40 GMT -5
Wonderful material.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Sept 30, 2017 9:53:15 GMT -5
That's some really pretty material. Glad some of it is holding together. was... I mapped out a couple of solid spots for cabbing today and its breaking in places where no fractures are showing even under magnification. Frustrating but too purty to give up on. First, I have to say just hoooowwww soooo very jealous I am of that rock! And that whole trip. Anyway.  That piece is extremely beautiful, I hope you can get some cabs from it. You might have to do the drop test with the slabs, find out what shapes want to stay together. |
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Post by 1dave on Sept 30, 2017 13:21:53 GMT -5
was... I mapped out a couple of solid spots for cabbing today and its breaking in places where no fractures are showing even under magnification. Frustrating but too purty to give up on. First, I have to say just hoooowwww soooo very jealous I am of that rock! And that whole trip. Anyway. That piece is extremely beautiful, I hope you can get some cabs from it. You might have to do the drop test with the slabs, find out what shapes want to stay together. OR back it. |
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,647
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Post by RWA3006 on Oct 1, 2017 13:20:34 GMT -5
First, I have to say just hoooowwww soooo very jealous I am of that rock! And that whole trip. Anyway. That piece is extremely beautiful, I hope you can get some cabs from it. You might have to do the drop test with the slabs, find out what shapes want to stay together. OR back it. Dave, what did you have in mind to back it with? Basanite? I'd like to learn more about options for backing material like this. Thanks, Randy |
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Post by 1dave on Oct 1, 2017 14:52:47 GMT -5
Dave, what did you have in mind to back it with? Basanite? I'd like to learn more about options for backing material like this. Thanks, Randy Back in the day I slabbed a LOT of basanite - 2 mm thick for backing Spencer opal. I've used Devcon on turquoise but prefer the basanite. Other materials of bright colors can produce spectacular results. I know of people who have used vinyl phonograph records, but i don't think much of the idea. |
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I mapped out a couple of solid spots for cabbing today and its breaking in places where no fractures are showing even under magnification. Frustrating but too purty to give up on.
