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Post by knave on Jan 29, 2020 12:46:21 GMT -5
Very interested in your dremel setups. I understand its 99% the operator and 1% the tool, but still. miket has commented he dips rock in water while wearing a mask and running a fan. Do you have a foot pedal? @hookedonrocks or any other dremel wizards out there have a tutorial or some pictures? Looks like a great way to make neat rocks. |
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Post by miket on Jan 29, 2020 12:53:11 GMT -5
I'll get a picture of my "setup" at lunch- and you'll laugh. No foot pedal, still just holding the dremel in one hand and the rock in the other...and wait til you see the size of the burr that I used to shape this one.  I'm waiting for some new ones to get delivered, should be Friday I hope! @hookedonrocks needs to make the tutorial- he's the wizard. I guess that makes me a wizard's apprentice... I'm not sure it's a great way, but it's how I do it for now. |
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Post by knave on Jan 29, 2020 12:55:41 GMT -5
I'll get a picture of my "setup" at lunch- and you'll laugh. No foot pedal, still just holding the dremel in one hand and the rock in the other...and wait til you see the size of the burr that I used to shape this one. I'm waiting for some new ones to get delivered, should be Friday I hope! @hookedonrocks needs to make the tutorial- he's the wizard. I guess that makes me a wizard's apprentice... I'm not sure it's a great way, but it's how I do it for now. Won’t laugh here. No arguing with success. |
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Post by miket on Jan 29, 2020 12:58:36 GMT -5
I'll get a picture of my "setup" at lunch- and you'll laugh. No foot pedal, still just holding the dremel in one hand and the rock in the other...and wait til you see the size of the burr that I used to shape this one. I'm waiting for some new ones to get delivered, should be Friday I hope! @hookedonrocks needs to make the tutorial- he's the wizard. I guess that makes me a wizard's apprentice... I'm not sure it's a great way, but it's how I do it for now. Won’t laugh here. No arguing with success. Thanks... |
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NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Jan 29, 2020 13:33:23 GMT -5
These guys do a great job with their Dremel, but y'all should look into building a flat lap. The diamond discs are inexpensive and the rest is very simple to put together. Would cost no more than buying a good Dremel package.
Check the home made equipment section, there's several on there.
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Post by miket on Jan 29, 2020 15:40:43 GMT -5
NDK makes a good point. However, I am having fun and find a great deal of therapy and relaxation- mostly- when working on rocks. That being said, here's the promised pictures knave . Here's my "setup", my next victim with the tire burr I'm using on it, and how much progress I made (or didn't make) in about 40 minutes. That may or may not be the final shape of the finished cab, sometimes I change my mind partway through.   
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Jan 29, 2020 15:59:13 GMT -5
You guys do great work with the Dremel, amazing actually. I sure hope my reply didn't sound snobby, it surely wasn't meant that way.
I'm amazed at how simple this equipment is and the ease of building it. Anyone with a little mechanical aptitude can do it đź‘Ť
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Post by miket on Jan 29, 2020 16:04:06 GMT -5
You guys do great work with the Dremel, amazing actually. I sure hope my reply didn't sound snobby, it surely wasn't meant that way. I'm amazed at how simple this equipment is and the ease of building it. Anyone with a little mechanical aptitude can do it đź‘Ť Nope, not at all. And I wasn't meaning to sound snobby, either! Just wanted to point that out, we dremel users are notorious for being snobs.  And thanks for the compliment, sir! manofglass built a cabber for me, but I'm thinking it will be at least spring before I can do anything with it. I still need to get wheels. And I wouldn't mind trying a flat lap someday as well. |
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Post by miket on Jan 30, 2020 12:04:21 GMT -5
Here's the finished shape. Now it's off to the rotary for a week, then it will join the group waiting for the vibe.  |
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Post by fernwood on Jan 30, 2020 12:18:58 GMT -5
You guys do great work with the Dremel, amazing actually. I sure hope my reply didn't sound snobby, it surely wasn't meant that way. I'm amazed at how simple this equipment is and the ease of building it. Anyone with a little mechanical aptitude can do it đź‘Ť I am looking forward to using the flat lap that I purchased from you and that you added the motor to. Have no photos of my dremel set up, as it is down for the winter. I secured the dremel in a vice. Made a crude water drip system using an aquarium pump. Held the rocks in hand or with vice grips. After initial shaping, they then went in rotary tumbler. Any finish polish was done with dremel. |
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Post by knave on Jan 30, 2020 12:20:04 GMT -5
Why couldn’t you go right to 120/220?
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Post by miket on Jan 30, 2020 12:46:00 GMT -5
Why couldn’t you go right to 120/220? I might be able to, but I don't really know if that would take out the scratches that you can see on the top. I realize that the coarse stage in the rotary is more for shaping, but even a week seems to help the cabs that I make. I've never tried it, if someone with more knowledge than me has any advice I'd welcome their input. |
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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 Jan 30, 2020 14:13:33 GMT -5
Here's my setup.   |
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Post by miket on Jan 30, 2020 15:48:42 GMT -5
Weird.
My pics have seemed to have disappeared.
Anyone see them?
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Post by knave on Jan 30, 2020 15:51:33 GMT -5
I can see them Mike.
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Post by knave on Jan 30, 2020 15:52:33 GMT -5
Don taking the husk off of a fire agate? That thing is gorgeous.
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oldschoolrocker
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,578
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Post by oldschoolrocker on Jan 30, 2020 15:52:58 GMT -5
Why couldn’t you go right to 120/220? I might be able to, but I don't really know if that would take out the scratches that you can see on the top. I realize that the coarse stage in the rotary is more for shaping, but even a week seems to help the cabs that I make. I've never tried it, if someone with more knowledge than me has any advice I'd welcome their input. 120/220 wont remove scratches from shaping with the dremel, trust me I've tried it cpl times. I used to do same as you with week in 60/90 in rotary but found it can sometimes mess with shape of piece. And always concerned with potential damage. Now I add one quick step with dremel and then they go straight to lot o. I use the dremel quick lock mandrel they ahve for sanding discs and glue reg silicone carbide sandpaper on top. I use lowest grit I can find. Seems stores around me always have 180 grit but sometimes they ahve 80grit. Then just turn speed way up and sand the piece dry (so can see scratches being removed). Or instead of messing with cutting and gluing sandpaper discs I frequently use Nova Mini Sanding points - suvalapidary.com/products/nova-points?variant=52780464403Normally just use the bigger rounded nose ones. 140grit and 280grit. But plan on getting a 60grit also. Only caveat with these is they have to stay wet when using them. Better to use drip system than dip method. They are like $8 a PC but they last a good while if kept wet when used. Obviously both ways add time for each piece you do but for me it's ok since it eliminates any potential dangers of it being in rotary for week. But my abilities to attain consistent results with rotary has never been great unlike yourself so many of my concerns prolly dont apply to much to you. |
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oldschoolrocker
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,578
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Post by oldschoolrocker on Jan 30, 2020 16:16:17 GMT -5
Il try this evening to get up some pics and info on what I use when dremeling. But quick basics are - drip system and 50mm diamond cut off wheels/grinding wheels. Use that almost exclusively for all general shaping and doming with exception of any concave curves. But I havent really done many with concave curves, yet. Will try to get up more detailed info little later today.
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Post by miket on Jan 30, 2020 16:17:32 GMT -5
So strange. I can't see them on my desktop. Nothing at all. I did before. And on my phone it shows a picture of a broken picture, if that makes sense. Huh. Oh well, I've seen them before!  |
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Post by miket on Jan 30, 2020 16:18:35 GMT -5
Don taking the husk off of a fire agate? That thing is gorgeous. Right? He needs to finish that one for sure! |
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