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Post by Peruano on Jul 13, 2022 20:30:49 GMT -5
Morrocco ??
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Post by Peruano on Jul 13, 2022 12:21:22 GMT -5
I was unaware of the existence of grit saver, but it sounds like a "option" that might be replaced by liquid or flaked soap. In my eyes, soap helps the grit cling to the stone during the process and in effect cushions the stone's movement as a slurry thickener. I personally avoid using borax except in the burnishing stages of the process. (Why, because it is toxic to plants and if its used, I have to be much more careful as to where I dispose of the liquids I decant off of my stones). I'm not sure how borax works but I suspect that like soap it is a wetting agent, helping to remove films by allowing water to do its job. Maybe I'm all wet, but pienso que no.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 12, 2022 16:29:28 GMT -5
I have to wonder if the bamboo actually slowed down the roll. And yes how lucky to not have a stem or two penetrate your coelomic cavity like a spear. I'd say its time to consider a roll bar on that rig just to thank fate for having spared you worse damage this time around. Best of luck with the ribs, they can be dangerous in the healing process.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 9, 2022 11:48:57 GMT -5
I have heard of folks using olive oil or other vegetable products and all will go rancid. Could you have something that went bad. Yes mineral oil can mist and be detectable but not like you experienced. Good luck. Soap and sunshine cure a lot of ills.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 7, 2022 17:56:41 GMT -5
Don't try to prevent sparks with water. Perhaps you need to feed more slowly but sparks will be produced with many materials.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 3, 2022 16:56:08 GMT -5
When you consider the action of gazillion vibrations per minute against a seemingly normal plastic bowl. I'd forget a bit of change in the surface. It's a hole in the bowl that you are trying to avoid. Tumbling is like marriage, there is no one recipe but when you pay attention and stick with it beautiful things result. You are paying attention so expect wondrous results.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 3, 2022 14:36:09 GMT -5
In my experience big saws cut fast, yes they take a lot of oil to start up, but if the vice is a good design you can cut little stuff as well as big stuff and be happy all around. Treat the blade nicely. . . pay me now or pay me again when you buy a new blade.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 3, 2022 7:24:44 GMT -5
Unedited, unreviewed. Garbage in, garbage out. A copy machine and a cut and paste function do not make an expert. Welcome to the electronic age.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 2, 2022 6:30:59 GMT -5
I'm not trying to be overly picky, but . . you say dye when you are really describing heat treatment. The TSP is a degreaser. I'm under the impression that this stone was treated with a chemical and not just heat, but maybe I'm wrong. I did note Rewdownunder's suggestion.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 1, 2022 15:02:03 GMT -5
I use the action of the rocks as the indicator of the final fill level. Too violent, add more rocks. Too slow, take out the biggest rock or two to see if there is a change in action. Sometimes a bit of soap will slow things down as it coats and carries grit, but if things are really slow and sufficiently wet, you may have too big of a load or not enough slurry. I do add smalls to add weight without adding big surfaces that impede movement. I find the acceptable load for a vibe depends as much on the shape and texture of the rocks as it does on their mass. Rough rocks don't jiggle as well and hence might call for a lighter load. If you were processing a lot of small smooth stones, lets say garnets or apache tears, you could really fill that bowl up to a higher level. All that and I'll say your level looks fine to me. You have relatively small and round rocks that should move well. Some loads move wonderfully, others seem to plod along and scare me that they are just wearing a hole in the barrel with little other progress. Go figure.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 1, 2022 11:58:18 GMT -5
Nature does good work and its that beauty that stimulated most of us to try enhancements as an excuse to look at what nature has already produced.
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Post by Peruano on Jun 29, 2022 14:18:08 GMT -5
Perhaps it was Peruano? I remember reading that post. Not me. I've never collected in the area, but many folks in the local rock club do go down to" Apache Creek every year. I believe they hook up with a local "guide/friend" who gets them into obscure places and or private property. If you strike out on all other sources, let me know and I'll try to hook you up with an info source. Tom
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Post by Peruano on Jun 28, 2022 7:05:22 GMT -5
Not really as thin as I would normally make a cab but I can't resist throwing some diversity into the mix. This was the raised edge of some bluish botryoidal chalcedony which the tops got cut off of during the initial grind. So you are looking at cross sections of the botryoidal protrusions. I couldn't help but stage it against a corona borrowed from a paper plate. Just to show how thick I allowed it to be and the size of the bots that were topped. Here are the pieces left from the trimmings.
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Post by Peruano on Jun 26, 2022 15:35:53 GMT -5
I agree. Its hard to believe someone thinks those garish colors of dyed agates are improvements, but they do sell them to someone, sometimes.
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Post by Peruano on Jun 26, 2022 7:35:59 GMT -5
I was asked to slab a rock an artist had bought on the internet. It was one of those rocks that had been polished and to my eye strikingly beautiful such that many would not have wanted to slice it and "ruin" it. But then you never know whats inside. Many rocks are prettier inside than out, but. . . this one was definitely a dye job. The two slabs on the outside are interior face cuts, the two in the middle are the external surfaces that were visible when purchased. 20220521_091331 by Thomas Fritts, on Flickr Here are two more views of interior faces just to show that things got less brilliant as we went further in. 20220521_091307 by Thomas Fritts, on Flickr You can't judge a book by its cover. I'm glad I didn't pay big money for the stone.
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Post by Peruano on Jun 25, 2022 13:29:24 GMT -5
Not to0 big. If the bulb illuminates the center more than the periphery so what. The pattern will be illuminated even then.
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Post by Peruano on Jun 25, 2022 13:16:25 GMT -5
Tractor Supply is not a philanthropic organization; however for the purpose of the OP almost any close match will work. The fit need not be great; the set screw secures the key stock in place and if it moves it moves only a shade and then it can move no more unless the set screw jiggles loose. The "key" is loctite and a bit of key stock in the groove. When I bought a similar material at Ace I purchased about 4" and hence had to cut my own with extras for the future. These machines vibrate and you should always be prepared for a pulley to loosen (screech) or spin off (work stops). Keeping the machine running is part of the process. Life is simpler than you think, but don't believe everything that you think.
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Post by Peruano on Jun 25, 2022 6:19:18 GMT -5
Ace is the place as well.
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Post by Peruano on Jun 18, 2022 5:22:26 GMT -5
Rocks make you happy and sharing them usually makes others happy as well. Well done.
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Post by Peruano on Jun 16, 2022 6:48:22 GMT -5
Let it do what it does best, i.e. show off with light behind it. I've been known to hang even small slivers as sun catchers in a window,or to mount a larger slab in front of a night light. Working stones into glass type situations is certainly a good option. Slamming stones is stone abuse. I try to let stones break on their own motivation -- many will hold.
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