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Post by captbob on Sept 25, 2017 15:25:32 GMT -5
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Post by captbob on Sept 25, 2017 13:07:58 GMT -5
I store a lot of gas for generator usage. Probably much more than is "legal" to store. But I can rotate it and get fresh by putting the older gas in our vehicles.
I know diesel will store longer than gas (I go 2 years on stabilized gas) but it still has a shelf life. I wouldn't have any way to rotate out the diesel.
I'm sure diesel is a better option, but I have to go with what I can use.
Like I was saying to Scott, I figure that doing something is better than doing nothing. Working within my limitations.
Funny, driving around after the hurricane, I wouldn't bet that more than 1 in 50 houses in my area were running generators.
Maybe 1 in 40, but that would be a generous guess.
Poor planning I'm thinking. Ain't THAT tough to keep the refrigerator running, some fans blowing and a few lights on. Bet more people start to plan better after not having power for a week!
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Post by captbob on Sept 25, 2017 12:45:24 GMT -5
LOL I got a whole new generator in the box! Hope to never use it. Spare carb a grand idea as well.
To us preppers two is one and one is none. Things break or just quit working at the most inopportune times!
That darn Murphy.
Back-ups a plus. Back-ups to back-ups even more so, but there comes a point when you just do the best ya can.
Thanks again for the mineral spirits tip and schoolin'!
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Post by captbob on Sept 25, 2017 12:25:51 GMT -5
^^ LOL yup!
And that is assuming you can get that many cuts from the rock without having to reclamp it in the vise.
I don't think I have EVER gotten 7 slaps from a rock - not sure I have ever tried though. Not being a cabber, I usually cut much thicker slabs.
Regardless, that pile of rocks would (easily) take me a week or more to cut.
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Post by captbob on Sept 25, 2017 12:17:26 GMT -5
I agree, the supported pan just seems more logical than the suspended pan - to me.
My Raytech 15" vibe laps are sitting on balls as well.
And yes, they are slow, and messy and noisy and generally more trouble than they are worth!
But that's all I have for now.
I need to get the flat lap I got off craigslist up and running. That machine seems the best way to quickly face polish the ton of coral I want to do.
A horizontal belt sander (Covington makes one) might be fast as well, but I don't have one of those either.
(need more room!)
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Post by captbob on Sept 25, 2017 11:55:53 GMT -5
old school carb protection for long term(+ 1 month): drain the gas out of the tank. gas is your enemy, whether in carb or in tank. Pour in a bit of mineral spirits into tank, say 1/2 cup. crank the engine over a bit with ignition off till the mineral spirits fills the carb. Ready to store. drain mineral spirits out of carb at float bowl drain at next crank/usage. Fill w/gas and crank her up. Mineral spirits is totally stable and prevents gum build up, safe for carb internals, prevents tank from rusting. Some may advise draining carb and storing it. Most carbs don't drain completely, leaving gas to gum up. Dry can dry out seals and float. Then THAT is what I will do! Thanks for the post. If pouring a half cup of mineral spirits in the tank and then just cranking it over a few times to get it in the carb, then there is still mineral spirits in the tank. Leave it there? Does it need to be drained before use or will it mix with the new gas and run okay? |
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Post by captbob on Sept 25, 2017 11:11:26 GMT -5
You could sell it to me, but I probably wouldn't cut it either. It is magnificent as is!
Would make the most amazing sphere - if it held together.
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Post by captbob on Sept 25, 2017 10:55:09 GMT -5
Kentucky too far south from your intended route? I have seen posts from members here of some pretty nice geodes collected there. Don't recall specific sites or even which members, but maybe do some searching here on the forum and elsewhere on Kentucky geodes.
Hope you have a great trip and find lots of quality rocks. AND are still here to share pictures of your finds when it happens!
Welcome to the forum.
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Post by captbob on Sept 25, 2017 9:22:50 GMT -5
That picture the one you are going to get? Looks amazing to be a 1986 machine!
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Post by captbob on Sept 25, 2017 8:44:26 GMT -5
I somehow missed the picture update 'til now. VERY well done Luminin! That turned out to be a dandy first rock hounding trip. You picked up some very nice material for sure. I'm sure you will be headed back someday now that you know a little more of what to expect and what a day's work can earn ya! Well done - thumbs up! |
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Post by captbob on Sept 25, 2017 8:30:46 GMT -5
I did a deal once and sawed a box of rocks on halves, about a milk crate full. Some duds, some nice but fractured. That said most were ok with a few awesome! However the time I spent and I have three saws to slabbwith, a 18, a 14, a 10 and of a 6. All have clamps and auto feed by gravity or motor. I stayed very busy tending them. After washing up the slabs I very fairly divided them up. I then sorted my half into three groups. Tumble fodder/ rock garden stuff. The second group were ones that had cabs in them but meh. The third group was ones I was very interested in working!!! Overall it wasn't worth it tho, if the deal had a been 75 percent me and 25 percent to the rock owner it still would have not been worth it. In order to do halves you need high end desirable material. Just my experience. Someone get a new keyboard? I had to check 3 times to make sure of who made this post! flabbergasted!  Good points here. Just way too much work for the return. |
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Post by captbob on Sept 24, 2017 23:14:53 GMT -5
Good point and reminder about the gas & burping aDave . My Model B tumblers don't have that issue, so I never even think of the blowout potential. |
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Post by captbob on Sept 24, 2017 23:02:51 GMT -5
But there will be plenty of pigeon and squirrel for dinner!
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Post by captbob on Sept 24, 2017 16:18:29 GMT -5
Everything is electric unless you have a tank to store your own gas. Here in my area anyway. Have family up in Jax and all electric there as well.
Rented a place 20-30 years ago that had gas stove, oven & water heater, had propane delivered every couple/few months.
Don't recall any friends that have gas anything. No underground pipes for such.
Seeing solar panels is very rare. One might think they would be more common in Florida. nope
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Post by captbob on Sept 24, 2017 16:11:10 GMT -5
Some nice pieces there Mike. Love all the pet wood with the green in it. All out of one little hole amazes me. Looks like it paid off sitting down and doing the gopher thing! Thanks for posting the video for us.
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Post by captbob on Sept 24, 2017 15:55:17 GMT -5
I've only recently read about that Sea Foam product Billy. Know it's been around, just haven't seen or tried it before. I will look into it. Thank you for the reminder!
No nat. gas here in Florida. Nothing in my area anyway for sure. Folks down here don't use it like up north or out west, simply because it isn't available. If one wants to go that route, they have to have a tank and have it delivered by truck.
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Post by captbob on Sept 24, 2017 15:37:54 GMT -5
Howdy from Florida and welcome to the forum!
What kind of "pellets" do you mean? Don't use plastic beads (pellets) in a coarse run.
Rocks of similar hardness - with in a point to a point & a half on the Mohs scale are fine to run together in coarse. May matter more in later stages & polish.
You can rinse off rocks before tumbling. A detailed wash isn't necessary.
Tap water is fine for the coarse run. Water quality (hardness) may matter in the polish stage.
The "soft" rocks, hold off on for now. Get some experience under your belt before trying anything much under 6 on the Mohs.
Throw the zebra something in. Just keep an eye on it to see if it grinds/shapes at a similar rate as the other rocks in the barrel.
Enjoy your new addiction! Rock tumbling takes time. LOTS of time. Hope your boys stick it out!
Again, welcome to the asylum
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Post by captbob on Sept 24, 2017 14:51:21 GMT -5
Is it a one off or can captbob and I each buy 200#?  Funny, I came SO close to sending a PM last night! Would love to have that chunk! |
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Post by captbob on Sept 24, 2017 14:49:03 GMT -5
I agree with the slow, messy, noisy, but wonder about what require much babysitting means.
I do go check mine every 6 to 8 hours or so. If I'm not going to be around, I hit the on/off switch and start it back up when I return. No biggie.
Every 6 to 8 hours is more babysitting than I care to do, but it's not an every hour or two thing. Every 6 to 8 hours is enough to keep me from using a vibe tumbler, but I will put up with that to use the vibe laps. odd
Would LOVE a large rotating lap (with an overhead sweep gizmo) lack of space is slowing my getting one.
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Post by captbob on Sept 24, 2017 14:37:35 GMT -5
I don't see anything dangerous about dumping a 6 gal jug of gas in my truck every couple months* and going to get it refilled. Or do you mean dangerous to store it? Stored out in a ventilated "deck box" kinda thing away from my house. A direct lightning strike might set it off. I'll play those odds.
* I store my gas 2 years (dated cans) before rotating it out. Use a fuel stabilizer called PRI-G - best I have found.
Have stored it over 3 years as a test with no problems.
Have 4 or 5 20 propane tanks and a couple milk crates of the small green Coleman canisters. All intended for cooking and/or lighting duties. Figure SHTF (short term or long) and propane will be gone in a quickness, and maybe not restocked.
Pick your poison I reckon. Different options all have +s & -s. As long as you have something planned and on hand, you are light years ahead of the general public. A good idea that is still sitting at the store isn't so good if you need it in a heart beat.
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