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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 8, 2013 9:55:07 GMT -5
Hi Fossiler, where are you located or where did you find these? Location helps in determining likelihood because some areas are known to not produce agates, while others are.
They look like micro-crystalline quartz to me, similar to Montana "Mud" Agates; semi-translucent, but with no well defined features.
Break them open as a learning experience.
Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 8, 2013 9:47:34 GMT -5
Bobby may not post as often as some others, but when he does, it's worth the wait!
Gorgeous!
Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 7, 2013 19:31:03 GMT -5
Yeah, wish I could, but I'll leave that one for somebody else.
Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 7, 2013 19:28:53 GMT -5
I really like the one in the vise, and the last one.
Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 6, 2013 13:38:52 GMT -5
And a 5 gallon bucket of 'shine!
Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 5, 2013 19:58:57 GMT -5
Whichever wireless plan you go with can tell you how to tether your phone (depends on the phone, sometimes you have to download an application both on the computer and the phone). Republic's limit is 5gb/mo (twice Net10). BUT, you might need to check whether you can tether a phone with Republic. According to what I can find, they don't allow it. You would have to do your web stuff on the phone. Maybe Scott @shotgunner has newer info? Here is info. on transferring your number to Republic: community.republicwireless.com/docs/DOC-1332Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 5, 2013 15:05:14 GMT -5
Welcome JJDub. I grew up in Ames. Not a lot to hound in that direct area, other than selenite crystals. Of course, you're not far from Keokuk or Coralville. I suppose you can find the odd Laker in the rivers and streams.
Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 5, 2013 15:03:23 GMT -5
Good advice from Tony. He likely has the most saw experience on the board.
Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 5, 2013 14:31:55 GMT -5
Tony brings up a good point: I forgot about bluetooth tethering. That will work provided your computer supports bluetooth.
Any Android phone should support tethering. You could probably get a no-contract plan, but you would pay more for the phone.
Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 5, 2013 14:11:31 GMT -5
I don't have any personal experience with the seller or the material; I'm just passing along one person's experience. No doubt others have been very happy with their purchases and I've seen some pics of beautiful specimens.
I have no doubt it is expensive to dig either claim, but it may be more expensive than the material is worth. Of course, that's for buyers to decide. For myself, I decided $30/lb was too much for me.
Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 5, 2013 10:07:22 GMT -5
Hi Jim,
If I understand your question, you want to cut your land line and rely on your mobile phone for phone and internet service, is that right? If so, you'll want an unlimited data plan and you'll want the ability to "tether" your phone to your computer through a USB cable.
Bluetooth is mainly used to use a wireless headset with your mobile phone, so that's not really relevant to the rest.
As far as number porting, you may be able to port your land line phone number to your phone. You would have to check with your mobile provider. If you're just upgrading mobile phones and want to keep the same number, that shouldn't be a problem.
I'd be happy to help more if I have a better idea of your questions.
Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 4, 2013 17:26:35 GMT -5
It was Feather Ridge material at $20/lb., and he didn't go into detail about what was wrong with it, other than the whole MFRB "tanked". Here are some of his other public comments "Mostly dry vug material...Compared to a lot of other graveyard area material I noticed a lot of the pink seam type pieces had this honeycomb type rind with great outside color that went to clear agate. The color in the rind or honeycomb part did not extend far into the agate. That is the plumes were not very tall...." It also seems the plumes were not solid.
During the last "no sniper" sale, it was $30/lb. I can think of a lot of other material I'd rather buy for a lot less money.
Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 4, 2013 17:13:12 GMT -5
By all means, Patrick, ask away! We all learn something in the process.
I'm an advocate for buying used equipment because most of the older stuff is very well made. Provided parts aren't worn out, you can save a lot of money. On the other hand, replacement parts can be very difficult to find.
If you do see saw marks in the soap, try to sight down the blade and turn it. That should tell you whether it's the blade or the vise carriage that's the problem. Usually it's the blade.
Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 4, 2013 17:08:55 GMT -5
The green stuff is really pretty. Pity about all the fractures. :-(
Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 4, 2013 15:16:47 GMT -5
No harm to the saw running it dry on a bar of soap; rock would be another story as it would damage the blade.
The saw marks may reflect either a dished or warped blade, or a problem with the vise. It would be best if you could manually handle the vise and determine whether it is tight.
Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 4, 2013 15:00:03 GMT -5
I used to use oxalic acid as a kid to clean the rust off of beer cans. I've inhaled the fumes and had it on my skin frequently. It dries out the skin and the fumes are kind of obnoxious, but nothing approaching instant death. Still, it is best to use it outdoors. If not fully cleaned away, the oxalic acid develops a green growth over time (at least on beer cans).
You can also use a drycleaning spot gun to clean crystals.
Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 4, 2013 14:53:09 GMT -5
What bsky said. I never use Internet Exploder, except for work.
Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 4, 2013 13:27:13 GMT -5
In a recent blog post he said he's done mining for the year. The per pound price on Linda Marie and Feather Ridge is higher than any other rough I've seen. There's a guy on Tao Gems who bought something like $300 worth of rough and had only one stone that he could work. I'd rather buy Prudent Man because it's less money and consistent quality.
Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 3, 2013 17:49:23 GMT -5
I used to use one based on another thread, "no cost slab grabber" forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/15517?page=1, that is very similar to the one made by deb123redux in his thread. I've since switched to the bobby1 design because it's much faster and easier to use. As I mentioned above, I've cranked it down so hard that I've bent the steel, so the rock is not coming out unless it breaks. The rock can come loose or break no matter what device you use; check it before every cut. No need to use a milling machine: an angle grinder works fine to cut the grooves and you can drill the holes with a half inch drill. It ain't rocket surgery, so the tolerances don't have to be exact. Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 2, 2013 17:11:08 GMT -5
I built one based on the one bobby1 made, similar to OP. Works great. Chuck Do you have a photo or blue prints? I know he's posted this here, but I can't find it. Here it is from another board: gemstone.smfforfree4.com/index.php/topic,14053.0.html I used an angle grinder rather than a milling machine (I don't have one). If I do it again, I'll use heavier steel stock than I used because I was able to bend it. I believe I used 1/8" thick steel. I don't think he actually used 1/2" diameter bolts; those would be huge. I used 1/2" head and they are plenty strong. Chuck
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