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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 12, 2021 20:42:53 GMT -5
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 12, 2021 21:25:25 GMT -5
Very nice prairie agates and wraps, Jason!
The second stone looks like sand rolling around in waves to me.
Just one thing is bothering me. Looks like you mangled the wire ends pretty good on the loops on the second stone. Just use your flush cutters and nip those knarly ends off. Then it will be perfect!
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 12, 2021 22:37:19 GMT -5
Very nice prairie agates and wraps, Jason!
The second stone looks like sand rolling around in waves to me.
Just one thing is bothering me. Looks like you mangled the wire ends pretty good on the loops on the second stone. Just use your flush cutters and nip those knarly ends off. Then it will be perfect!
Thanks Robin!  You pointed out something that been bugging the crap out of me. My flush cutters don't seem to be cutting flush. I thought I knew how to use wire cutters! LOL I don't know why they're causing those non-flush cuts... |
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,512
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Post by Brian on Apr 13, 2021 7:12:08 GMT -5
Those prairie agates are beautiful and work well in those wraps!
I am amazed at the variety of colors and patterns in the prairie agates. They are beautiful rocks and you are lucky to be able to collect them! (I have been constantly admiring the ones that you sent that we have already polished!)
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 13, 2021 7:38:07 GMT -5
Those prairie agates are beautiful and work well in those wraps! I am amazed at the variety of colors and patterns in the prairie agates. They are beautiful rocks and you are lucky to be able to collect them! (I have been constantly admiring the ones that you sent that we have already polished!) Thanks Brian! I'm amazed at them as well! What's even more amazing to me is the amount I cut in order to find ones I want to keep for cabbing. Some that I think will have decent patterning inside only have this mottled yellow interior...and not a really good look to it. However, others have stuff like these two going on inside them. I have a bucket full of rejects that I need to take out with me one day when I go hounding to set them free. It would be fun to see someone run across that pile and watch their reaction...  |
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 13, 2021 7:44:46 GMT -5
Those prairie agates are beautiful and work well in those wraps! I am amazed at the variety of colors and patterns in the prairie agates. They are beautiful rocks and you are lucky to be able to collect them! (I have been constantly admiring the ones that you sent that we have already polished!) Oh...and I've only seen one pic so far of those prairie agates you guys tumbled...unless I missed something. I've got a couple decent sized ones running their course right now... |
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,512
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Post by Brian on Apr 13, 2021 7:50:05 GMT -5
I have a bucket full of rejects that I need to take out with me one day when I go hounding to set them free. It would be fun to see someone run across that pile and watch their reaction... It sounds like you are laying the groundwork for a fantastic practical joke to play on your father-in-law! |
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 13, 2021 7:53:49 GMT -5
I have a bucket full of rejects that I need to take out with me one day when I go hounding to set them free. It would be fun to see someone run across that pile and watch their reaction... It sounds like you are laying the groundwork for a fantastic practical joke to play on your father-in-law! I like the way you think! LOL |
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 13, 2021 7:56:24 GMT -5
Loving those cabs and the wraps look great, too.
Regarding the wire ends. You do know that flush cutters have two sides, right? In case you don't know, they cut flush when the flat side is against the wire end. Also, using even the best flush cutters doesn't mean you don't have to file the ends sometimes. Whenever I do those kinds of curls on the front, I always leave enough at the end to snip of fthe part I grabbed with the tool.
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 13, 2021 8:16:31 GMT -5
Loving those cabs and the wraps look great, too.
Regarding the wire ends. You do know that flush cutters have two sides, right? In case you don't know, they cut flush when the flat side is against the wire end. Also, using even the best flush cutters doesn't mean you don't have to file the ends sometimes. Whenever I do those kinds of curls on the front, I always leave enough at the end to snip of fthe part I grabbed with the tool.
Thanks Tela! What!?! There's two sides to the cutters!  I think you just pointed out where I'm having issues. (Not the wrong side. LOL) I think I may need to file some ends sometimes...and I am damaging the wire when I'm twisting. I'll definitely be watching for this going forward. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 13, 2021 8:50:27 GMT -5
rockjunquie thanks for explaining that for me. I'm only on my first cup of coffee.
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Post by drocknut on May 8, 2021 12:51:25 GMT -5
You might also try a wire rounding tool. It's basically a cup burr on the end of a stick. I've used one when I didn't want to hassle with the files which can slip and nick the wire or the cab.
Otherwise, great wraps, really digging the patterns in those. I collected some prairie agates up in Montana but most of them were duds as far as pattern inside.
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Post by jasoninsd on May 8, 2021 18:28:56 GMT -5
You might also try a wire rounding tool. It's basically a cup burr on the end of a stick. I've used one when I didn't want to hassle with the files which can slip and nick the wire or the cab. Otherwise, great wraps, really digging the patterns in those. I collected some prairie agates up in Montana but most of them were duds as far as pattern inside. Thanks Diane! I didn't know there was a wire-rounding tool. I will definitely look into getting one of those. I cut another Prairie Agate the other day that has the same type of coloration and patterning as that second one...and found another one in the pile of agates that will yield the same. I too really like these. I've cut my fair share of dud Prairie Agates too...I feel like it's winning a little on a scratch-off lottery ticket when I find a nice one! LOL |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on May 8, 2021 18:39:34 GMT -5
You might also try a wire rounding tool. It's basically a cup burr on the end of a stick. I've used one when I didn't want to hassle with the files which can slip and nick the wire or the cab. Otherwise, great wraps, really digging the patterns in those. I collected some prairie agates up in Montana but most of them were duds as far as pattern inside. Thanks Diane! I didn't know there was a wire-rounding tool. I will definitely look into getting one of those. I cut another Prairie Agate the other day that has the same type of coloration and patterning as that second one...and found another one in the pile of agates that will yield the same. I too really like these. I've cut my fair share of dud Prairie Agates too...I feel like it's winning a little on a scratch-off lottery ticket when I find a nice one! LOL Be aware that those rounding tools come in different sizes to accommodate different gauge wires.  |
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Post by jasoninsd on May 8, 2021 18:41:45 GMT -5
Thanks Diane! I didn't know there was a wire-rounding tool. I will definitely look into getting one of those. I cut another Prairie Agate the other day that has the same type of coloration and patterning as that second one...and found another one in the pile of agates that will yield the same. I too really like these. I've cut my fair share of dud Prairie Agates too...I feel like it's winning a little on a scratch-off lottery ticket when I find a nice one! LOL Be aware that those rounding tools come in different sizes to accommodate different gauge wires. Great. Even MORE tools to buy! (The wife will be so excited! LOL) OOPS! I liked your post! |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on May 8, 2021 18:44:33 GMT -5
Be aware that those rounding tools come in different sizes to accommodate different gauge wires. Great. Even MORE tools to buy! (The wife will be so excited! LOL) OOPS! I liked your post!  |
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Post by rockjunquie on May 8, 2021 18:48:03 GMT -5
Great. Even MORE tools to buy! (The wife will be so excited! LOL) OOPS! I liked your post! They are really cheap. I got one on amazon smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058EDHR6 for 10. You might get a stink eye but no dog house. LOL! |
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Post by jasoninsd on May 8, 2021 18:54:15 GMT -5
Thanks Tela! I've learned to deal with the stink eye - it happens frequently enough! LOL |
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Post by drocknut on May 9, 2021 13:10:38 GMT -5
You might also try a wire rounding tool. It's basically a cup burr on the end of a stick. I've used one when I didn't want to hassle with the files which can slip and nick the wire or the cab. Otherwise, great wraps, really digging the patterns in those. I collected some prairie agates up in Montana but most of them were duds as far as pattern inside. Thanks Diane! I didn't know there was a wire-rounding tool. I will definitely look into getting one of those. I cut another Prairie Agate the other day that has the same type of coloration and patterning as that second one...and found another one in the pile of agates that will yield the same. I too really like these. I've cut my fair share of dud Prairie Agates too...I feel like it's winning a little on a scratch-off lottery ticket when I find a nice one! LOL Those tools are handy to have. I got mine at a bead store a long time ago. Wow, you did hit the lottery finding so many nice ones. Good for you. |
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