Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 6, 2022 14:12:37 GMT -5
Absolutely I do and Eva feels like part of the community even though she doesn't participate in the forum. Since joining this forum in 2013 the most enjoyable benefit has been all of the members that Eva and I together have met in person - probably over 30 at this point? Lasting friendships have been built too even though we don't get to see each other frequently.
By comparison I used to be actively involved with tropical fish forums as a member/owner of several, and it was nothing like RTH. I don't remember ever meeting more than one or two members from the fish forums and no lasting friendships were formed.
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 6, 2022 12:55:15 GMT -5
Yes, that's exactly right Tommy. The cabber came with 1/4" tubing with a valve & an elbow.( see first photo)
The water pours out the elbow, or I can shut it off.
Not very controllable.
So I removed the elbow, replaced a short piece of 1/4" tubing, added the mist nozzle , another short piece of tubing ,and an end plug.
Now the water comes out in a very fine spray & I can use the valve to control it nicely. The whole thing I made can still swivel around sideways, like the original, so I can still put the end covers on the cab unit.
Works for me & it was cheap & easy to do :-) Patty
Awesome explanation, thanks Patty. I'm going to eventually put this clever upgrade on the DIY equipment page if you don't mind.
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 6, 2022 12:05:44 GMT -5
Hi Patty, sounds very creative and I'm trying to fully understand it. So the mister you bought works with the original water supply tubing that came on the KN 6 machine?
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 6, 2022 11:47:48 GMT -5
My winning T-shirt design. So I had to post my contest prize, Tommy said I could get a custom design, and so I did. I found this graphic from an online tutorial on grinding cabs, and I thought it would be fun for the back of the shirt. Of course, I had to have the RTH logo on the front, and it's nice as a small graphic on the side. I really LOVE my new shirt & I really love these contests. Keeps me motivated Thanks again to Tommy and to everyone on RTH, Patty Congratulations again Patty and thanks for the cool design idea for the store. I always offer custom designs but I believe you are the first so far to take me up on it.
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 4, 2022 8:50:10 GMT -5
liveoakOh Patty, I knew someone would ask and I forgot to write down the name lol! I’m 99% sure the name began with an m and it was from Indonesia if I remember correctly. Maybe someone else knows the id. Maybe vegasjames rmf Tommy jamesp realrockhound. They are a few that I know that are ID savvy! 4th photo down looks like a nice piece of marcasite to me.
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 3, 2022 22:15:08 GMT -5
Hi all, looking for ID on these brown and blue rock (circled in red) that we got on the side of the road heading back from the Utah Dugway geode area. We were off a side gravel road that the Utah rockhounding book said there were agates. Didn’t find much agate but found a few neat rocks. This is one that a cut on the tile saw. Also, any good for Tumbling? Thanks for any help, Chris Welcome! I do not know what the blue material is either but based solely on the blue color I'm guessing maybe dumortierite? Was there more where you found this? If you try with a knife are you able to scratch it? It's really attractive. Honestly if this blue pattern is reasonably true to color wet I would haul ass back up there and grab every piece I could find until I get it figured out. Edited to add some interesting reading: csmsgeologypost.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-nice-blue-boron-mineral-dumortierite.html
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 3, 2022 21:40:38 GMT -5
First time catfishing at night, cooked some hot dogs and had a pretty good time. Here's one my daughter caught... I love this Mike! Memory building right there
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 3, 2022 19:37:53 GMT -5
Damn! That's really exciting rockbrain congrats! Of course we're going to have to see some pictures so we can ooh and ahh and maybe drool a little.
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 3, 2022 17:18:13 GMT -5
Awesome job on this 1dave!
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 3, 2022 15:39:19 GMT -5
As an addendum the above - I am guilty of an an occasional vote change. Sometimes I really am on the fence between a few cabs and after sleeping on it change my mind. Doesn't happen every time - or even very often - but it has happened.
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 3, 2022 15:36:37 GMT -5
Wow, some major vote adjusting going on. #15 had five votes a day ago, now it only has two? I think once votes are placed, changing them should not be allowed. Too much chance for cronyism. Election reform now! lol Edited to add - FYI, I don't have a horse in this race. Locking in a vote is not an option with the poll software - and I'm not sure if I would do it even if it was. I think the vote changing is a side effect of voting blindly then suddenly seeing how the voting is going - and I think it sorts itself out pretty quickly. I've never noticed anything I would consider suspicious like sudden blocks of votes changing late in the voting.
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 3, 2022 14:55:50 GMT -5
Back on subject, in regards to the prong wrap style, I have created an extensive tutorial on it that I plan on publishing on the new rocktumbling.com website at some point in the months ahead. If anyone wants an advance .PDF copy of it please let me know via PM and I'll hook you up with that.
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 3, 2022 14:49:43 GMT -5
I figured you were joking about a rock called "Josephine's Crown" - but sure enough I looked it up. Learn something new everyday. Yep it's real - I've got a big 3/4" thick slab of old collection Josephine's Crown that I'm going to sell and retire on someday (now I'm kidding...kind of)
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 3, 2022 14:35:39 GMT -5
Excellent Tommy - I hope it inspires lots of interest :-) Really like that Turquoise set of yours, that style of wire wrapping is one I haven't seen, The last set is also very nice , not sure what stone it is. Thanks, the last two sets are Ocean Jasper.
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 3, 2022 14:07:58 GMT -5
Thanks Tommy , it should be a good contest. I specifically choose it as a challenge for myself & hopefully for everyone,
as I've never cut small cabs, or a matched pair.
Good Luck everyone :-) Patty
I think it's great! I'm definitely challenged and I'm going to do my best to get an entry in. I've only done it a few times and always drilled, and always part of a matched set to a larger pendant stone. I'm just posting these for inspiration - if I can do it with my big fat hands then anyone can.
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 3, 2022 13:53:33 GMT -5
Welcome to the Rock Tumbling Hobby Forum cabochon contest where your cabochon making skills, creativity, and material will be put to the challenge. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to enter regardless of cabochon making experience, skill level, or machinery and methods. This contest is about having fun and challenging ourselves to step outside our comfort zones and learn and grow, while dazzling the community with our beautiful rock creations. July 2022 RTH Cabochon Contest, Contest Theme: Matched Pair as chosen by our May contest winner Patty liveoak. Contestants are asked to create a matched pair of cabs, suitable for use as EARRINGS. As far as size goes there is no exact numbers, but ask any woman and she will tell you that earrings need to be as lightweight as possible, so the size needs to be kept small. Any shape is OK except for round because circles are too easily created with mechanical means devices.
Links to all of the original front and side submission photos can be found below the photo collage. All of the original contest submission posts and responses have been removed from view during the voting period in order to remove as much of the popularity contest aspect from the voting as possible. All original content will be replaced in this thread at the close of voting. We sincerely appreciate all the feedback comments we get and want to continue to improve the contest as we go so keep 'em coming! Photo Links: Cabochon 1 - frontCabochon 1 - sideCabochon 2 - frontCabochon 2 - frontCabochon 3 - frontCabochon 3 - sideCabochon 4 - frontCabochon 4 - sideCabochon 5 - frontCabochon 5 - sideCabochon 6 - frontCabochon 6 - sideCabochon 7 - frontCabochon 7 - sideCabochon 8 - frontCabochon 8 - sideCabochon 9 - frontCabochon 9 - sideCabochon 10 - frontCabochon 10 - sideCabochon 11 - frontCabochon 11 - sideCabochon 12 - frontCabochon 12 - side Prize:The winner will receive a teeshirt or mug of their choice from the RTH Store. Contest Format:The contest will be contained in this single thread and has a theme that serves as the primary criteria for voting. The voting period will occur for approximately seven days around the start of the following month. The winner of the contest will have the opportunity to choose the theme of the contest occurring two months after the contest they won (ie: June winner chooses August theme). At the beginning of the voting period, a voting poll will be added to this thread and all contest submission posts and responses will be hidden from view in order to help insure a level playing field. All original content will be replaced in the thread at the close of voting. Contest Period:July 3rd thru 31st at 11:59pm PST Voting Period:Approximately Seven days beginning around the first few days of the following month. Entry Requirements:Participants may enter one hand-shaped, jewelry ready, rock cabochon, consisting of a visible dome on top and a flat backside. Variations on dome heights and girdle styles are permitted and ultimately it's up to the voters to decide if the contest criteria has been met. Entry cabochons must be made entirely by the member, within the contest month and feel free to let us know about the piece including how you shaped and polished it, and what challenges it presented. Please identify the material if you know what it is. Cabochon may have a hole(s) drilled but nothing attached to it. Photo Requirements:Three photos minimum are required including one non-backlit, non-glamourized or filter manipulated photo showing the cabochon directly from the front (if posting more than one front photo please indicate which one you want used). Also include a photo taken at as close to 90 degrees angle as possible showing the side of the cabochon so we can see the shape of the dome and girdle if it exists. The third required photo is of the preform or slab you started from. If you do not have all three of the required photos post what you have and let us know. Photography Notes:For size perspective it is helpful to include a photo alongside an object such as a coin or fingers. Until the conclusion of the voting period please do not post on any area of the forum, photos of your contest entry that has been turned into jewelry which includes the stone after it has been set, wrapped, or had any kind of bail attached. Back-lit photos are permitted as extra photos especially when the stone contains interesting features that do not photograph very well, but they will not be used as your front featured photo requirement. We don't want the competition to turn into a photo contest but also recognize that it is in your best interest to make sure your front and side photos are as focused, bright, and colorful as possible because these two photos will be cropped and presented in the voting collage. A highly zoomed in front photo is not as desirable as a more zoomed out photo that is well-focused on the stone and allows enough background for cropping to a square 300px x 300px and the side photo for cropping to 300px high x 100px wide. Voting Criteria:Please judge each entry based on the following while keeping in mind that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the difficulty levels of material vary as do photography skills and equipment. An exceptional example of creativity and skill might not always be flashy and bright, and we owe it to every participant to do our best not to allow it to become a photography contest. 1) How well was the theme challenge of the contest theme met? 2) How well did the shape of the stone meet the general contest requirements, or any special theme-based shape requirements? 3) General appearance, beauty, artistic creativity. 4) Photography - is there a direct and focused front shot and a direct and focused side shot for voting purposes? If a tie vote occurs, a new voting poll will be launched for the period of one day and will include only the stones that were tied for the lead. Community participation:As always on the forum, polite and respectful dialog and encouragement is very welcome in the form of 'likes' and comments. Advice or direction from the community is welcome only if the contestant has requested it. Members are welcome to enter work-in-progress photos but if the final photos are not added before the conclusion of the contest, the piece can't be included in the voting. Thank you to everyone who participates by entering and or commenting and encouraging others. We sincerely appreciate all the comments and feedback we get and want to continue to improve the contest as we go so keep 'em coming!
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 2, 2022 16:06:23 GMT -5
All, the collage photo and individual photo links have been fixed and include #16 side shot. Refresh your browser if you're not seeing the side shot yet.
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 2, 2022 15:05:25 GMT -5
BTW, the flower pots weren't quite as old as I thought they were but we are still super happy with them compared to the absolute crap you see on the market at outrageous prices these days. They are signed... but I can't read it lol.
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 2, 2022 14:57:32 GMT -5
Thanks all, I know y'all want to make me feel better but yeah, there are lots of flubs that I could point out. As long as Diane likes it that's all that matters right? liveoak - to answer your question Tela said in this post it was supposed to be Mohawkite but it looks more like Josephine's Crown and I agree with her on this.
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
|
Post by Tommy on Jul 2, 2022 14:44:16 GMT -5
So I was there Thursday when the rocks in the labyrinth were still for sale. My problem with purchasing any of that stuff is twofold. I can't id a lot of it and I have no way to cut it. I already have a real nice piece of Stone Canyon in my backyard that I can't cut. I went back Friday and bought a large piece of petrified wood and a couple of larger rocks that I thought looked nice. I probably would have got more but I asked about pricing when I got there and was told it was "as marked" It wasn't until I got to check out with no time left that I found out it was 1/2 off. I thought I had about $120 or so worth the stuff and it cost me $45 I looked for you on Friday - we there from about 10am to 1pm. I thought I'd be able to recognize that beard from your avatar picture but didn't see anyone. I also purposely wore a "No rock is safe" shirt thinking if anyone from the board was there they'd see me There was conflicting information on the 1/2 off rocks - around noon when it went into place the estate sale manager told me that they home owner had decided not to include rocks and wood in the half off - but an hour later when I dragged my stuff to the counter he took half off of everything including rocks without being asked.
|
|