|
|
Post by fernwood on Dec 11, 2017 21:58:22 GMT -5
Calling all sphere makers.
I am in need of about 5 small spheres in February. I will supply material, which is stabilized, 1980's new, old stock Sleeping Beauty Turquoise. Size of spheres would be about 3/8" to 5/8". Rough material I have ranges from 1/2" to 3/4". Most is fairly round already. Has lots of mineral inclusions and also possible arsenic inclusions. I do not have the equipment to test for the arsenic, but was told it was a possibility at time of purchase at Thunderbird Supply in Gallup NM in 1986.
Do not even know if spheres this size are possible. Do not know potential cost. I can supply rough material and/or pay for this. Also pay to/from shipping costs.
If anyone is willing to take this challenge on, please let me know. If I am dreaming, also let me know.
Thank you.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2017 20:17:01 GMT -5
Look at beads on ebay
|
|
|
|
Post by fernwood on Dec 12, 2017 21:08:47 GMT -5
Did more research (and received some advice). Learned my needs are not really spheres. Special equipment needed. Do not want to purchase cheap, ready made items but utilize my own materials for special orders. So, guess I am SOL for now, unless anyone here has bad making equipment. Not really beads needed, but small round, refined rocks, made from materials I will supply.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2017 0:16:31 GMT -5
Undrilled beads are spherical, come in myriad materials and sizes.
These to suit every need.
|
|
|
|
Post by vegasjames on Dec 13, 2017 2:01:40 GMT -5
Calling all sphere makers. I am in need of about 5 small spheres in February. I will supply material, which is stabilized, 1980's new, old stock Sleeping Beauty Turquoise. Size of spheres would be about 3/8" to 5/8". Rough material I have ranges from 1/2" to 3/4". Most is fairly round already. Has lots of mineral inclusions and also possible arsenic inclusions. I do not have the equipment to test for the arsenic, but was told it was a possibility at time of purchase at Thunderbird Supply in Gallup NM in 1986. Do not even know if spheres this size are possible. Do not know potential cost. I can supply rough material and/or pay for this. Also pay to/from shipping costs. If anyone is willing to take this challenge on, please let me know. If I am dreaming, also let me know. Thank you. Not hard to test for arsenic. I have done it several times in the past. In your case crush up a sample and put it in a borosilicate test tube. Add a little hydrochloric acid then add some stannous chloride. Heat the mix to boiling then allow to cool. If arsenic is present you will develop a black precipitate in the test tube when the mix cools. |
|
Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
|
Post by Steve on Dec 13, 2017 20:48:50 GMT -5
While I'm certainly not willing to take this on, especially in light of the possible arsenic, I may be able to tell you how to make the spheres yourself without needing any special equipment.
Get two steel pipes that about 1/3 of the diameter of the sphere you want to make - in your case 1/8" to 1/4". Take your nearly spherical stone place it on the end of one of the pipes. Take the other pipe place it on the stone and start moving the pipes grinding off the material. Make sure your stone gets rotated often. Eventually you will grind off all the high spots and will have a sphere. When the pipe starts to dull, grind the end flat again to regain your edge. You should work with everything wet to avoid dust. If your material is too hard for steel you can try adding a wet slurry of grit.
The motion is hard to describe, but once you do it a couple of times you see what's going on. Practice with something like alabaster before using precious material.
Use sandpaper for auto body work to sand smooth and polish paper for auto paint repairs to polish.
|
|
zzyzzyx
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2017
Posts: 60 
|
Post by zzyzzyx on Dec 15, 2017 0:53:11 GMT -5
1/8" pipes to twist a 3/8" bead?
Who can see that? Not me! I hope it works for you. Merry Christmas
|
|
Dr DG
fully equipped rock polisher
Gone Fishing
Member since April 2005
Posts: 1,848
|
Post by Dr DG on Dec 18, 2017 18:57:08 GMT -5
you can buy a small marble machine cost is around 150. my friend bough one, she makes ball up yo 1.25 inches.
|
|
