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Post by cookie3rocks on Oct 18, 2004 19:47:05 GMT -5
WOW!  I don't think my parents love me that much. Maybe they love me a 4' tile saw  I'm so jealous I can't type  cookie |
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bwalters
has rocks in the head
Member since March 2004
Posts: 557
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Post by bwalters on Oct 18, 2004 19:48:28 GMT -5
KD,
That's awesome! I'm jealous! Adding one of those units to my wish list.
You're gonna LOVE your saw! Llana and I have a 10"tile saw and we use the holding doodads that came with the saw sometimes, but we just use our hands to hold the rocks more often. Just don't try to start with 'boulders'. Start with some smaller stuff until you get the feel of it.
You're gonna have so much fun with these tools that we probably won't hear from you for weeks!!!
BE
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Post by krazydiamond on Oct 18, 2004 19:54:07 GMT -5
thanks, BE, i was going to try just that approach....smaller rocks to get a feel for it, then maybe bigger stuff....
what size rock do you put through your saw and do you just push and wait? is it real messy? how long does it take for a , say, 4" rock? do i need a garbage bag poncho?
i can't WAIT!
KD
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Post by rockyraccoon on Oct 18, 2004 20:43:48 GMT -5
kd my saw is a 7" and i put anything that will fit  . i cut 4 hrs yesterday and 4 hrs today and this is what i have to show for that.  the plastic dish is about 7-1/2"x5-1/2" and 1-1/2" deep. i've been putting cotton in my ears to muffle the roar. i got a dressing stone from kingsley and it helps alot. i had read to use it after 8 cuts but i think i'm using it more. i think i hurry things sometimes - maybe i subconciously want to burn it up so i can get a bigger badder one  . kim |
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Post by stoner on Oct 18, 2004 21:11:10 GMT -5
Nice setup KD. I use a small butane torch to melt the dop wax and heat the rock.
Llana, if you can get your hands on some shellac sticks, they work equally as well as dop wax. For the stick, I use a 3/8or1/2" dowel.
Ed
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bwalters
has rocks in the head
Member since March 2004
Posts: 557
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Post by bwalters on Oct 18, 2004 21:43:00 GMT -5
KD,
4" rocks are gonna be really hard to do on your saw (and really hard on your saw). Aim for closer to 3+". We're pretty new at this, but I've noticed that when just starting a cut, you need to let it go REALLY slow or you will have alot of heat build up (and sparks flying). Once the blade gets a good start into the rock, it kinda pulls it thru with little assistance and no sparks. Our 10" really isn't too messy. The 7" is an entirely different story!
As for how long it takes..........depends on the hardness of the stone, the size, etc. I know that doesn't help, but you'll figure that out as soon as you start cutting.
Have fun!
BE
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Post by puppie96 on Oct 18, 2004 23:07:44 GMT -5
Great, KD, they are beautiful!
I've got a batch of obsidian in 1000 now, and I also have been amazed by the shrinkage.
Yours looks to be much better quality than mine!
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Oct 19, 2004 11:19:44 GMT -5
Great tumbling job, yet again! My faves are the orbicular stuff and the Botswana agates. Nice grinding work too. The ocean jasper should be awesome, lucky, lucky.
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Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Oct 19, 2004 15:14:47 GMT -5
KD,
Beautiful Job! Love what you're slabbing too!
Have a very happy birthday too!
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deepsouth
fully equipped rock polisher
He who rocks last rocks best
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,256
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Post by deepsouth on Oct 19, 2004 18:56:58 GMT -5
Happy Birthday KD,
If you weren't so far away I would have called in and say it in person....hoping also to admire your present :' That GENIE "
Oh how I wish I had that too. I will just keep on dreaming a bit longer. Thanks for showing the beautiful polished rocks . Terrrrriffic !!
Have many hours of pleasure in the rockden
Jack
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Post by Cher on Oct 20, 2004 22:14:15 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300] ~ Happy Birthday KD ~[/glow] I'm sorry I missed your birthday but I was gone visiting my grandkids. I'm so happy for you, what wonderful presents you got. Ok so I'm jealous too ... LOL!! Great rocks, great shine too! What are those 2 matching stones that look like agates with glittery centers? Those are stunning!!! [glow=red,2,300] ~ Cher ~[/glow] ![]() pages.prodigy.net/bestsmileys1/signs/RockOn.gif [/img] |
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Post by connrock on Oct 21, 2004 10:35:17 GMT -5
I forgot to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Your parents have a great choice in presents!! A suggestion for a cheep dop set is an electric hot plate used for keeping coffee warm.You see them at tag sales.If you can get one with an"infinate" heat control ( a knob where you can start at "0" and turn up gradually) ti would be great.If not then get one with low med and hi settings.the 2 burner types are great as you can heat the wax on one burner while heating the preform on the other. Next is a small stainless steel pot which may be a little more difficult to find.I got mine at a kitchen specialty store up in VT. You can use an assortment of things for dop sticks. Wooden dowels,golf tees,pencils and steel nails are what I use.You can use the dowels for the larger cabs and the others for the smaller ones. Just file or grind off the points on the nails so you won't cut yourself. You can also use "super glue" on the smaller cabs instead of the wax which is a little trickey to set and form on the dop stick. When you heat your wax be careful to not over heat it.Just get it to a molten stage which I "think" is around 140-160F (don't quote me on that).I do it by looks and feel! Another cheep but time consuming dop pot is a 100 watt light bulb under your pot but I don't like the wait. Here's a link to instructions and photo's on cab making and dopping. I hope it helps you with you new venture!! www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/oplc_cab.htmlTom |
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Post by creativeminded on Oct 22, 2004 9:56:46 GMT -5
Those stones turned out beautifully. Good job.
Tami
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. i cut 4 hrs yesterday and 4 hrs today and this is what i have to show for that.
.
