|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Aug 4, 2021 18:31:24 GMT -5
I fought the rock, and I won. I think... So awhile back, long story I'm happy to share but I "accidentally" ended up with a pile of rocks, including about 100 lbs of Bloody Basin Agate. This here one is somewhere between 1/4 and 1/3 of the bunch, and since my biggest saw is 18", no way would it fit.  Note the line I drew with the soapstone, there's about 5 1/2 inches on each side of it. It so happens that I ended up with this concrete blade after fixing (not really, different long story) a slab outside my shop building.  So I gears myself up, do rag, straw shade hat, mask, full goggles, and ear plugs. Bucket of water to wet it down every inch or so, and iced diet Mt Dew for the operator. It cut surprisingly well, but not all the way through, of course. So I look for some wedges to finish, and cannot find them (still unpacking). These will do, right?  Ummmm, nope. Need the real thing, the leaf spring bits made into seam splitters. So I got my secret weapon, the Lovely Elizabeth, and said: I can't find the tub with the wedges and chisels. She said you sure they're in a tub, and not a crate? Absolutely, says I About a minute later she points to the crate I have walked past 10x while looking, is this it? It was, so splitters were found.  Whack, whack, whack (repeat as necessary) and pop. "Well that was easy" (my sweat disagrees)   Now if only the 18" saw didn't desperately need cleaning. And it's now 115 degrees F'in hot in there. Maybe tomorrow. |
|
|
|
Post by Rockindad on Aug 4, 2021 18:45:28 GMT -5
That's a beautiful "accident", love that material. Funny how this hobby is a lot like work sometimes!
|
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Aug 4, 2021 19:00:38 GMT -5
That a fabulous hot rock true zona story Lee ! I really enjoyed reading it in my cool dark lair Thankfully the dew was bit tame today So you only had to contend w/ that good hot blistering sun heat. Shade is a big premium and Those metal wedges get a little warm to touch Even in the garage My best advice is: try not to a beat an Arizona summer well you wanted to break that rock and you did. Hopefully you won’t get a flat tire uuuggghhhhhgghghgghhgh... Then the temper only rises more when you have a priority task to attend. whoop I forgot- sorry  It amazing, Intentions is to just go to the store, Head out on your merry quick way to the car. But wait! There is small insignificant hassle that needs attention. 5 minutes later you have sweat in the eyes. But rough work can be done. Road crew guys are out there working. I see them in long sleeve shirt on They tell me that help keep one cooler I never bought that theory remember salt tablets were once recommended guess that no longer true? You guys stay cool ! This heat is deceptive Nonetheless True hard rock story w/ great pictures! Took true dogged determination One for the books! |
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Aug 4, 2021 20:05:14 GMT -5
mohs we are mostly in the air conditioned little house, except those very early morning chore times. Today the 6AMish task was mud and tape the last few drywall joints in the future shop area, and when I got out there it was already 90+, too hot, mud dries too fast. So since I was up I cut the cross bars from the furthest back old horse pen to make room to pull a car under the roof, temporary shade till we get a real cover up between the houses. Using the grinder reminded me of my idea 💡 to cut the agate. And there we are. We are acclimating, 115 doesn't feel like it did a month ago. Steamy post downpour muggy is a different story.
|
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Aug 4, 2021 20:22:01 GMT -5
right on  Lee I get a little rambling its sun baked syndrome mostly anyway only 6 more weeks ! September 15 then tje early morning lows get into the seventies making morning tasks & hobbies pleasanter which were biting- at the bit to get back too but make no mistake we are entering the dawg daze of summer this long draw can take an imperceptive toll then we have a thirtyish something athletic lady visit from Boston first time to Phoenix hikes halfway up Camelback Mountain feels ill-- backs down and is found deceased in the parking lot dehydrated its bizarre story supposedly went hiking with an experienced hiker and they took no water. \ very strange although I’m real bad for doing just that! Think I'm only going to take short walk into the desert then I dawdle photographing --- realize I have no fluids Always reprimanding myself about that Later… |
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Aug 5, 2021 11:37:51 GMT -5
Hey Lee
best wait cleaning out that saw !
just to murderously hot
garage rock
guess lesson learned
clean out saws before summer sets in
stay cool
morhz later....
|
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Aug 5, 2021 16:45:03 GMT -5
That was a good read Lee!  That's a pretty spiffy piece of Bloody Basin! Gorgeous! |
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Aug 5, 2021 18:26:31 GMT -5
the key to the whole operation is the difference between a tub and crate Really! No extra steps or concentration is desired when splitting rocks in the mean mr mustard  |
|
rewdownunder
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 357
|
Post by rewdownunder on Aug 5, 2021 19:19:25 GMT -5
Great material! Just be careful in that heat. Great thing about rocks is that they are not going to spoil or go bad. They . will still be there when it cools. I have friends that mine opal in the the outback of Queensland AU. They stop working at 105 because it is just way to hard on the equipment. They have to go 70 miles for any kind of parts if they break down. They even stop using the saws in the heat for the same reason.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Aug 6, 2021 18:08:50 GMT -5
Great material! Just be careful in that heat. Great thing about rocks is that they are not going to spoil or go bad. They . will still be there when it cools. I have friends that mine opal in the the outback of Queensland AU. They stop working at 105 because it is just way to hard on the equipment. They have to go 70 miles for any kind of parts if they break down. They even stop using the saws in the heat for the same reason. Right on with that. When I have run the saws it's in the morning. As soon as I can smell the oil I'm done, I'm guessing about 100 usually. The good news is that my 2 bucket and brown paper bag filter system takes days instead of weeks. Really want that climate controlled shop up and running though. |
|
JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 807
|
Post by JR8675309 on Aug 6, 2021 23:01:42 GMT -5
Great rocks! I'm so over this heat though.
|
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Jan 24, 2022 10:46:10 GMT -5
those were the days my friend we thought they never end were getting away w/the good stuff now  |
|
Lee 
