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Post by connrock on Jan 29, 2005 14:38:27 GMT -5
I live in CT and there is almost no tumbling material here. I found that a good sourse of rough is at my local Pet Shop. I go to the section where the rocks for fish aquariums are kept and do a little 'collecting" !! Here's a piece of "Pet" Wood I picked up a few years ago.  This is a close-up of some of the tiny crystals on the face of the "wood".  A few years back I got the crazy idea of trying to make puzzles out of rock slabs.It took me a year off and on to figure out how to do it without ruining any more of my slabs.I would say I broke at least 20 of the slabs before I figured out how to do it. Another problem I had was trying to actually "do" the puzzle after I made it!! LOL My first successful puzzle was made out of a solid colored slab with no pattern in it at all.It took me a week off and on to figure it out!!You may laugh but no one else could do it either!! The slab is polished on both sides so you can mistakenly put any of the pieces upside down!!Talk about a Rubix Cube!! LOL I solved the problem in 2 ways: 1) Use a slab with a pattern in it. 2) Trace the pieces on a sheet of paper so that you will always have the solution to the puzzle. I call the puzzles "Tumbler Tom's Puzzles". Here's a photo of one I made out of Brazilian Agate. I deleted the photo so that the winner(Jimmy) will have to solve the puzzle on his own!! Lets see if any of you can figure out how I make my puzzles !! (something to do in the cold winter months) Tom  |
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jan 29, 2005 16:17:36 GMT -5
I'm guessing that you slab it then accidentally drop it- And voila- instand puzzle (I bet youcame up with the idea after dropping your first one)  |
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Post by gaetzchamp on Jan 29, 2005 16:46:37 GMT -5
I'm going to dissagree w/ the dropping theory. Just doesn't seem to me like you'd get nice equal pieces that way. Here's my theory: outline desired areas w/ a diamond tipped device, put flathead screwdriver and tap to break. If we guess it, do we get it?  ? Ha, Ha, In any event, it's really cool!!!!! Gaetz |
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Post by connrock on Jan 29, 2005 16:48:32 GMT -5
No Stefan I actually had the idea of making puzzles but just didn't know how to go about it. I'm about as stuborn as they come and can't remember quitting on anything.Imay have put a project "away" forever,,,,,but never quit!! LOLIt's always there for me to go back to if I ever figure out how to do it. Hey,,,,,,,,,,,Maybe thats why this place looks like it does?? LOL Good guess Stefan but no cigar !!  Tom |
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Post by krazydiamond on Jan 29, 2005 17:13:23 GMT -5
no clue on how you get it to come out so nice, but it is VERY cool. nice idea, it's a brain teaser and it's art!
KD
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Post by connrock on Jan 29, 2005 17:28:27 GMT -5
KD, I gave it to my neighbor without the "solution" and they had it for a couple of weeks before they got it right!! Just think if I made one out a huge 10' x 10 ' slab!! Tom |
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Post by Tweetiepy on Jan 29, 2005 17:39:49 GMT -5
Don't know about cutting, but maybe using a band/scroll type saw & cutting along the predetermined lines? BTW I looooooove brazilian Agate - If I can find some, that's one of the next on my list....
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Post by connrock on Jan 29, 2005 17:54:19 GMT -5
Gaetz,, No ,,,not close at all!! LOL Now you know why it took me soooooooooo long to figure out how to do it!! You have a reat idea there about who ever figures it out gets the puzzle. I'll repost it. Thanks,,,,,,, Tom |
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Post by gaetzchamp on Jan 29, 2005 18:13:39 GMT -5
OK, another guess. Some kind of "pliable" cable saw; put simply, kinda like dental floss that cuts thru stuff!!!!!
Coooool it's a puzzle within a puzzle.
I'll keep trying though.
Gaeter
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Post by cookie3rocks on Jan 29, 2005 22:49:14 GMT -5
To me it looks like you choose peaks and valleys in the banding pattern. That way if you lost a little in the cut, it still lined up.
My step daughter loves to take slabs I've cut and put them back together. Bet she could figure it out.
But then, an 8 year old see's very clearly things grown ups cannot ;D
cookie
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Jan 29, 2005 23:24:03 GMT -5
Hey Tom,
I have to say that is one awesome puzzle! My wife is an avid puzzle fanatic, I got her hooked when we were first dating some 27 years ago.
What a great idea! Now that item will sell ... it is unique in every aspect. Very cool ... are you selling them? I would like to get her one.
Let me know,
John
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HarryB41
has rocks in the head
Member since September 2004
Posts: 605
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Post by HarryB41 on Jan 30, 2005 11:05:28 GMT -5
I really likt the puzzle rock. Is it hard to create one of these?
Harry
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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 Jan 30, 2005 14:40:36 GMT -5
Hey Tom , this is neat . I love puzzles and can do them for hours .
A dremel would not get through this as nice as you made it.
Laser might be a cutting way to use as it can follow any line or shape.
Cheers
Jack
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Post by connrock on Jan 30, 2005 18:01:55 GMT -5
John, Thanks for the compliment. I've never sold anything I've made or tumbled.I can't help giving it all away. The puzzles are unique as you say and they are pretty,educational and a lot of fun.I would bet if a person had enough of them and asked the right price they would sell like hotcakes.The problem here is the price.You either slab or buy the slabs but in either case it's costing you x amount of dollars.You WILL ruin a lot of slabs breaking them,,,,,more money.If you suceed at breaking them then theres the cost of polishing them. So how much do you sell them for and still make a profit??If you do price them to make a profit will people buy them?? Theres a lot to think about when your selling things to make a profit and I hate to think,,,,,,,,,,,, That's why I give everything away!! LOL My last 2 are going to Kim and Jimmy or I would send you one too. Harry,,,,,,, If you go to this link you can read how they are made. andy321.proboards16.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1107039476Jack,,,,,,, The laser would be great if I only had one!! LOL I use to do puzzles years ago but now my "habbit" is crossword puzzles. Thanks all,,,,,,, Tom |
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Jan 30, 2005 22:44:31 GMT -5
Hi Tom,
No problem at all ... I just thought I would buy one from you if you had one available.
Do you mind if I try your process and see if I can make one? I think that would totally knock her socks off ;D
Take care and thanks,
john
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Post by connrock on Jan 31, 2005 12:46:01 GMT -5
John, You can do what ever you like! My whole idea was to get the group thinking and then trying to make the puzzles themselves along with a little fun trying to figure out the process. Knock your socks off!! Tom |
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Feb 1, 2005 22:02:45 GMT -5
Thanks Tom,
I always ask! I do not wish to infringe on anyone's ideas, without their permission.
Thanks, I will have to try this out.
Enjoy,
John
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