metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Feb 7, 2018 18:21:40 GMT -5
Hi Diamon Sorry for the delay in replying. I've been a little quiet of late due to some personal issues but looking forwards to resuming activities when things get resolved. Until then I will be checking in on occasion so copy me in and I'll keep a lookout for your posts.
Yes your quartz should tumble. Are you looking for uk rocks / minerals specifically? Alternatively there are some lapidary suppliers. It appears uk lapidary is looking up.
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 25, 2017 3:34:28 GMT -5
Lots of chemicals used in making binding agents too! I'd be keen to learn more though and improvements and gains to efficiencies are welcome if they're not negated elsewhere .
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 19, 2017 12:38:39 GMT -5
Coming second hand in U.K. Probably it has also been left on the shelf for a while and therefore be stable. I may give it a shot. Thanks for your reply.
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 11, 2017 1:52:01 GMT -5
Thank you 😊 I've read elsewhere about crazing / cracking issues. Did you find this? What's the chance of it happening. I would not wish for this to occur in a matèrial I rarely come across and could not readily replace.
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 10, 2017 6:05:34 GMT -5
I wonder if anyone has knowledge of working OBO? That sounds wrong 😜
What does it work best as ? Cabs ? How might it facet?
If someone can help on how to handle it and what is the going rate then all the better. Thanks
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 10, 2017 5:51:41 GMT -5
Huh huh ... maybe it was a note to self 😜
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 10, 2017 5:43:41 GMT -5
I have never knocked boots on one of my vacations. That's why they call it a holiday, right?! 😝
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Sinkholes
Dec 3, 2017 4:17:55 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by metalsmith on Dec 3, 2017 4:17:55 GMT -5
An interesting documentary about the geology of sinkholes Seems to bum out around 37 minutes then no sound. Repeated tries with no success. Thanks for the link. Interesting stuff up to then. We have sinkholes here too 🤔
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 3, 2017 3:22:23 GMT -5
A face A ghost / hooded monk A lions head 🦁
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Oct 10, 2017 12:24:39 GMT -5
Yeah that is reticulated. The top layer gets depleted by multiple heating to move the copper then pickling takes it out. Move the torch to train the pattern. It looks like you're there already. Just need to get creative which will come with experience.
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Sept 5, 2017 0:37:52 GMT -5
Above the others (such standards!) the chrysocolla and hornitos are wonderful ... add the stefoinite too!
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Sept 2, 2017 0:53:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the links, some I was aware of and I'll check the others out. Much appreciated. I mainly work on opals, always been an obsession with me, I currently use an wireless dremel to take off the rough and potch and general shaping, its set up with water, works similar to most cab machines encased with overhead gravity water and drain with bucket. Motor totally protected from water. (My husband is hot on H&S and is constantly concerned with opal dust and water/electrics). The fine sanding and polishing I do by hand. So looking forward to a better easier machine to work with. I do some work with silver and gold, but my skill level is limited, so sticking to gifts for friends and family until I improve some. It's very easy to become obsessive about opals! ... It's not you asking about opals over at Cookson is it by any chance? Are you familiar with Jackson on ebay? Some wonderful material but competition and prices seems to be going up.
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Sept 1, 2017 16:45:11 GMT -5
Germany is a hotbed of machinery and lapidary wonders- have Y'all checked any sources there? That's just what I was saying on another thread - and I just picked up a book on cutting opals from the German amazon site for half the cost of anywhere else (navigating amazon.de with my level of German isn't easy - it is a good job it's so intuitive!!)
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Sept 1, 2017 16:06:21 GMT -5
I'm told Marine Propeller shafts are the way forwards. I don't have a supplier, but am aware of a few. Nothing Goggle wouldn't tell you though. www.google.co.uk/search?&q=propeller+shaftsMachineMart do good motors - but they're big. HR Ebay (depends on the sellers - usual caution applies but generally good experiences) for second hand goods and rarely lapidary - try this: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263172874800?rmvSB=trueMany of the other British Engineering houses have folded but you can still pick up some great kit on ebay. Look out for old uk made arbors. beachlapidary.co.uk for off the peg uk made. It is expensive but uk made and uk parts ... HR = highly recommended from personal experience; the past isn't always a guide to the future, but it does guide where my future spend lays... HR Bang-good.com for abrasives tho' I found they tended to be beaten by ebay sellers and they've turned out to be good. HR Ebay (Chinese sellers) for diamond dusts of various grades in oils; be prepared to wait HR lapidarytoolsmith.co.uk - some great kit- catch them at a mineral show if you can - see www.rockngem.co.uk/HR aldi - I use a 3" multi bench grinder for <£30 c.f. ~£42 on lapidarytoolsmith and even LTS are reasonable! HR ukge.com - Geological supplies inc some mineral specimens HR manchesterminerals.co.uk - tumbles, cabs, lapping, silicon carbide, facet rough etc srbstones.co.uk - looks like a proper lapidary store but limited opportunity as he's not buying any more stone roughrockshop.co.uk - I've just stumbled across these guys but they look interesting! HR mineralcraftnorth ukfcg.org - uk facet cutters guild - I think back issues can be viewed on line HR rockngem-magazine.co.uk - a great mag - I have mainly old back-issues ebay is generally a good place for minerals too although you should know what you're looking for I would rate very highly the RTH For Sale section and have personally had nothing but great service and good deals although the P&P is crippling and this is coupled with import duty, charges and now of course a not so great exchange rate. Damn! All this looking at sweet rocks could get expensive
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Sept 1, 2017 14:06:32 GMT -5
Ditto on the welcome. The DIY guys here are great. You can ask them anything. Start a build thread, post pictures of your progress and you'll get plenty of feedback and advice. There's a few here from the UK who may be able to help with sources, too. metalsmith maybe you know some suppliers? Hi Sharon Welcome to the forum. It will be good to have another Brit on board. The forum archives suggest it has happened a few times, but I don't know which tumbler they keep falling into! I'll knock up a short-list when I get a few minutes... Given it is lapidary and the UK there's a good reason it is called a short-list.
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Aug 31, 2017 14:26:32 GMT -5
My old one usually works California Resale Certificate XX XX nnnn nnnn nn Do you really want this to be visible to the entire internet-world?
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Aug 31, 2017 12:04:06 GMT -5
Hello and welcome from England
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Aug 31, 2017 11:22:41 GMT -5
Welcome from Tennessee, only about 3 hours from SC. I'm only about 3 hours from Conway too! ... Conway, North Wales, UK
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Aug 28, 2017 0:56:49 GMT -5
Here in the US rape seed had a name change to canola to make it more palatable to sensitive PC digestive tracts. From the ridiculous to the ridiculouser ... My fave was the Manuka honey we picked up in NZ before the medicinal value was recognised and it became so expensive / rare that they now dilute it / fake it. The French produce a 1/2 or 1 kg bucket of Miele Cremieux. I recognise that is a mix of honeys (and therefore I'm a philistine) but I love it anyway. Apparently Scottish heather honey has recognised medicinal value (hasn't honey in general?) and is going the same way as Manuka honey ... (so for Yorkshire Heather honey the future looks bright)!
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Aug 28, 2017 0:35:41 GMT -5
Sorry to hear your understanding is from such similar personal experience. I'm about up 'to hell with it' in your process... Grind on bro! You kick ass at that!
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