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Post by Peruano on Aug 13, 2023 7:23:36 GMT -5
I'm one of the bowling bag users. Mine is bright yellow so I can set it down and walk around a large area and still find it visually. It has both hand and shoulder straps. The side pockets are great for smaller and more fragile stones. I work primarily in alluvial gravels (i.e. everything was transported by a rivers within the last 100 million years, and hence don't carry much in the way of hardware except one short pry bar that can hammer, pry, dig or scrape. Oh did a forget a gps for recording the location of that big one that you want to come back for, and a water bottle. Enjoy.
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Post by Peruano on Aug 10, 2023 17:39:08 GMT -5
Congrats on the new tool PS!! *If I were you, I'd take stardiamond up on his offer on those wheels!! Nice offer Stephen! ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) Thanks Jason! Used the club cabber before and really loved it for preforming so I am excited. Maybe I missed info. But please clarify whether you have 6 or 8 inch wheels. Stardiamond probably is thinking about 8s. Diamond wheels don't get wsrer logged like silicone carbide, but it's best to not leave them under constant drip when not in use. The Diamond can delaminate. Let us know your size needs.
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Post by Peruano on Aug 10, 2023 7:01:35 GMT -5
Leather for chromeoxide; felt for cerium oxide polishes. Chrome you use as a paste, cerium wetter. Zam is chrome oxide that comes in a wax version and is usually used on a felt wheel, rather than a flat disk. Use any water system what works for you. Even a small container higher than your machine can provide gravity or siphon feed. An aquarium pump is great if city water is not handy, but let it go to a separate waste bucket, not into one that recirculates. Its a great machine and the expando belts give you infinite flexibility in going as far along the polish process as you want. If you use the sic wheels, read the cautionary comments on not letting them get water logged and out of balance which can cause them to self-destruct. Making sure your water is off when quitting and spinning them for a few minutes after the water is off is adequate safety precaution, but if one is ever found wet on the bottom due to a leaking valve, don't stand in front of it when you start it up, and let it dry for days before even doing that. Everyone has their own technique, but you will figure out yours with a modicum of common sense and guidance from near and far. Enjoy.
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Post by Peruano on Aug 7, 2023 14:33:59 GMT -5
I am fascinated by the bizarre shapes and curves of chalcedony bodies found around volcanic formations despite the fact that they are often fouled with dirt, algae, and discolorations. I've been trying to shape them to more attractive forms with my trim saw, and then cleaning and polishing them with a minisonic tumbler and subsequently with dremel and self devised polishing devices. Here are a few examples that have passed through my hands after 5 days in the tumblers. The in progress stones are shown wet and yes need more cleaning action. 20220311_082631 by Thomas Fritts, on Flickr 20220315_133215 by Thomas Fritts, on Flickr Polised by Thomas Fritts, on Flickr So far diamond bits and hard wood dowls dipped in various grits are working best of getting into crevices, but clearly I've got work to do on some of these and the other 50 or so that I didn't burden the message with.
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Post by Peruano on Aug 7, 2023 13:43:06 GMT -5
I've read the post fairly quickly, but tend to agree with the interpretation. The term Petosky stone has no scientific status. Its a common name for a particular organism or group of organisms. The state legislation was giving identity to a type of stone (fossil) that it chose as a symbol of the state. The bottom line is that there are several fossil species that could be legitimately called Petoskys. While we as amateurs might be tempted by familiarity to presume we can identify fossil species, it is usually the case that our enthusiasm exceeds our intelligence or knowledge. He who presumes to always be correct is on risky turf.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 23, 2023 19:33:55 GMT -5
Thank you. I'll definitely leave rocks for the next persons.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 23, 2023 17:34:47 GMT -5
Nice product. I'm currently planning a circumference trip of Lake Superior Do you have any favorite sites to hound other than the most known? Frsh air, micobrew and tranquility take preference over rocks. Do I sound like someone who just spent a100 degree day sorting slabs and preforms for a senior closing out a life's collection. Do I need rocks?
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Post by Peruano on Jul 22, 2023 12:50:41 GMT -5
Looks good to me. I know I sound like your mother quizing you after your Saturday bath "Did you use Soap"?
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Post by Peruano on Jul 22, 2023 7:54:27 GMT -5
I hope you are planning on giving her a special rock. They make wonderful gifts that last forever. Enjoy the day and the lady it celebrates.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 22, 2023 6:58:09 GMT -5
Check for hardness. It can guide you to some less likely candidates.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 22, 2023 6:36:31 GMT -5
Does that mean that if I had told the questioner, that they were New Mexican agates, they might have been sent to me instead? As someone who has promoted Fairburns in a most positive light, you deserve to have them fall your way.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 20, 2023 14:37:45 GMT -5
They are all composed of the same electrons and molecules, just in an infinite variety of combinations. Its geological processes that combine them and we should not expect every local to be unique or identifiable. I know the collectors, venders, and claim holders want us to believe differently but I'm not so sold on names attached by the unwashed public. I've people swear that the rock I picked up in central New Mexico was Montana agate and indeed it was in their eyes, and if I wanted to claim it was on the internet, tain't so.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 20, 2023 14:26:53 GMT -5
The apache tear earrings are not my best but they are popular because they are primitive and natural. The finding on the right is useful in having the loop offset that makes the stone hang a bit straighter. These wire earrings work best if used with a tiny rubber keeper on the wire behind the ear (especially in these days of masks etc that tangle with earrings). You can buy sterling dinglberries for the bola ties, but the silver colored nickel or whatever ones work just as well but are not as heavy. To add weight and credibility to my dingleberries, I've taken to adding a BB or two in the hollow before inserting the cord with glue. Clearly the clamp on bola slide is not essential but the loops on the plain one have to be carefully adjusted to make the movement of the slide possible but not willy nilly. Nuff said. A couple of other pairs of comparison. ![](https://rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/i.php?/upload/2021/11/16/20211116131659-afd6d890-me.jpg) ![](https://rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/i.php?/upload/2021/11/16/20211116131649-76d63e5c-me.jpg) These are both examples of pedernal chert from Georgia Okeefe's favorite mountain.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 20, 2023 13:58:30 GMT -5
miket I realize we have real jewelers here, but will give you some of my techniques that border of the quick and dirty side of ear rings and bola ties. First earrings. You can buy simple wires that any loop can be supended on from Thunderbird or other jewelery suppliers. They come in base metals, sterling and non-allegenic varieties. There are couple of beartail type findings that are the appropriate size for gluing on stones that I use for earrings. I'll append a photo of the front and back of apache tear earrings and the findings depicted separately. I use #600 glue and have next to zero failure rates. In terms of bola ties(yes it bola and not bolo like the say in Texas). There two considerations when buying cords. There is a short cord used for kids and cheaper tourist ties and a long cord used for western styles (I believe the longer one is 36". The short version is someties sold with the little solid dingleberries instead of the sterling silve-like ends typically seen on better ties. there are at least 3 diameters of woven cords available. The middle or larger ones are best, but you can buy slides that are sized for the different sizes of cords. You can use the simple slide like rockbrain illustrated or one tha actually has an eccentric lock allowing a more secure tie adjustment. There is nothing worse than a sagging bola out on the dance floor. Sometime the leather cords (woven) are stiff and need to be worked a bit to make them hang straight but hey thats the hand made part of even the quick and easy side of life. Photos to follow. ![](https://rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/i.php?/upload/2023/07/20/20230720121124-adf24d9e-me.jpg) ![](https://rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/i.php?/upload/2023/07/20/20230720120945-81a8c33d-me.jpg) ![](https://rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/i.php?/upload/2023/07/20/20230720121030-932790b2-me.jpg) ![](https://rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/i.php?/upload/2023/07/20/20230720121044-19d0e317-me.jpg) Sorry, my image files got tangled. I'm dealing with covid so have lots of time to fix the tangle. I hope this provides ideas. Tom
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Post by Peruano on Jul 20, 2023 13:29:03 GMT -5
The rubber expando wheels are one of the most useful options (in concert with typical silcon carbide, or KN's new super aggregate carbide or diamond belts (the latter up to your 50000). Belts are easier to change than wheels and give you a lot more flexibility (in two ways). The rubber expandos are softer so you can get at flat spots better with a bit of pressure and of course they can be changed quickly as you work through your stages. Now the carbide wheels lets say take some patience. They are good, but must be cared for.. Don't let them get water-logged. I.E. spin them dry and make sure they don't have water dripping on them when not spinning. A wheel with water clumped in the lower half (by gravity) can get off balance and disintegrate to the threat of life and limb for anyone standing in front of the wheel. Never start up a carbide wheel when standing in front of it; once its spinning your are fine. You can retrue your wheels and refine the surfaces with a diamond dressing tool, but wheels with major chunks missing should be discarded and avoided.
The expandos can handle all types of materials as can the carbides. However if using the carbide wheels, its a good idea to rinse your stone when moving from one wheel or grit to another lest you carry particles forward. If you've never tried the aggregate belts from Kingsley North, do so. The are long lasting and a good bargain. Enjoy the new machine. I'd keep the two expandos, and probably leave the sic carbides too (if you have good options on your existing cabber). Diversity if the name of the game when addressing rocks.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 19, 2023 15:20:24 GMT -5
We have a couple of members who are more geologically informed than the rest of us. Hopefully they will chime in with ideas. Its sometimes quite tough to identify rocks from photographs. Welcome.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 19, 2023 15:13:45 GMT -5
Noone would want to pay $30 + for oil. Even Tractor Supply which I consider a bit expensive is under $20. Often if you go to a pet/ag supply store and tell them that you are a quantity user of horse laxatives (after they stop laughing) they will offer you a discount. Our connection here in Albuquerque is giving it to us for around $13/gallon. Maybe giving the manager a pretty stone helps with the favored pricing. Indeed you have found one of the best sources for oil (price, availability, and convenience), now cut on.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 19, 2023 6:58:06 GMT -5
Is that mineral oil as found in the pharmacy dept (i.e. laxative). That was my primary source for several years and before a bigger saw. You must of special ordered it. I can never find more than a dozen on the shelf at a time. I think its great but have the impression that it is a little heavier (i.e. viscous) than the horse laxatives bought at farm stores. Not an issue but solids may remain suspended in the heavier stuff instead of settling out as in the horse laxatives. The result is the solids drain out of the saw rather than having to be scraped out (in my experience).
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Post by Peruano on Jul 16, 2023 11:01:02 GMT -5
Interesting stuff. My quick consulation of Jay Ellis Ransom's Gems and Minerals of America (section on Union Co. New Mexico which coincides with your mention of Guy, NM) discloses a listing of rose agate on a hill near the 3 state monument having surface exposures of agate. Probably the same stuff. I'm struck with the similarity of colors but perhaps simpler patterns of agates collected further south and west Near Abiquiu, NM. I know there is lots of confusion in the literature as to what is agate and what is the Pedernal chert material from that area, so its a bit messy especially as you go into the reds with black boundaries that show up as rarer than the pinks characterisitic of the chert formations. Any way, nice material. I always enjoy the things you draw out of your historical collections.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 12, 2023 16:44:22 GMT -5
Adding grit as a thickening agent is probably dubious. When I've used too much grit or added it to fast before I had a soap covering on the rocks, I've had it cake/clump in the bottom of the bowl where its largely ineffective. If you really sense that you have too much water you can pour it off, but you are likely to loose grit and have to just guess about how much grit to re-add. But the quantity of grit is no a fixed number either. I'm experienced with vibe 5 sized machine where a couple of tablespoons of borax made a difference; ditto for soap. You have a bigger machine, but add slowly and see where you need to go. Again, I always run my machine without lid for the first hour or two while I'm insuring that everything is shaking correctly.
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