|
Post by tims on Nov 18, 2017 2:08:38 GMT -5
really really nice.
|
|
|
Post by tims on Oct 17, 2017 8:51:10 GMT -5
First wrap in awhile ... hoping to pick it up again as the weather keeps me trapped inside more. The stone is pretty thick so i used 5 outer wires which really compounded my bail issues:
|
|
|
Post by tims on Oct 17, 2017 8:30:29 GMT -5
That's a great wrap. My solution to ring sizes was leaving the band open, but the end result wouldn't be nearly so solid and elegant. That weave looks very clean and uniform to me but your standards are obviously at a different level.
|
|
|
Post by tims on Oct 1, 2017 20:18:38 GMT -5
Really nice pieces this month, thanks for sharing guys.
|
|
|
Post by tims on Sept 23, 2017 15:11:14 GMT -5
What is #8, a colorful quartz or some kind of agate? Really pretty, it caught my eye in the group pic. Nice batch all around.
|
|
|
Post by tims on Sept 23, 2017 2:52:47 GMT -5
I've had issues with slurry getting gummy in rough stage, especially when rolling mystery rocks that prove soft, and now i check the rough every 4-5 days at most. Later stages a week or 2 has always been fine. Sound is a pretty reliable indicator, if there's a hellish racket or it sounds slow and muffled give it a look for sure. Kind of like kids ... if they're loud it's probably trouble, but if they're quiet it's guaranteed trouble
|
|
|
Post by tims on Sept 22, 2017 4:20:56 GMT -5
I have had the bottom of 12lb Lortones wear through. I have found ordering 1/8" Buna-N sheet rubber from W.W. Grainger and adhering it with Gorilla Glue does the trick. This scares me. I've had a QT12 for about a year and already the bottom feels weak, like i could push my finger through it if i tried. The sides are so thick i wonder why they used such thin rubber on the bottom. TIA for a future fix ...
|
|
|
Post by tims on Sept 22, 2017 4:15:02 GMT -5
is there anything as maddening as misplacing something precious? i concoct intricate scenarios of thievery and deceit, and secretly condemn my closest friends and kin as the culprits. usually my lost items turn up and i'm stuck wallowing in shame at my own lack of faith in the people closest to me. but my redwings jersey is still missing and i refuse to turn my back on mom when she comes to visit.
hope you find your gems.
|
|
|
Post by tims on Sept 22, 2017 3:49:44 GMT -5
I've been running a QT-12 for almost a year and the motor runs hot to the touch. I don't use a fan but i do run it in a spot where there's nothing within 2 feet of the tumbler, and it sits on the floor so the heat doesn't build up around it. Am interested to hear some veteran opinions.
LGRW
|
|
|
Post by tims on Sept 11, 2017 14:29:23 GMT -5
OK, great info. I started with craft wire / artistic wire but as I used it up have been replacing with bulk solid copper wire, mostly due to price. The solid copper sounds like the best choice for me ATM. Have heard many good things about Rio Grande and will definitely give them a shot. I expect bulk solid copper is going to be genuine from any seller, but with silver it's good to know there is a reliable and trustworthy vendor. Curious to see how Everbrite works for you fantastic5. Thanks for the quick replies. I've done some online research but RTHers are the people I trust.
|
|
|
Post by tims on Sept 11, 2017 1:49:19 GMT -5
Today i saw one of my first wraps that had been worn constantly for a couple of months. The copper (tarnish resistant) had gone a dull brown in color and looked dingy and unattractive. Not green, but not very pretty. I'm assuming that is the eventual fate of all such copper wire, but i'd love to know if if's avoidable. Is there a way to treat copper to keep it from tarnishing so easily? Or would pre-tarnishing (adding a patina with liver of sulfur etc.) hold it's color better over time?
I'd also like to try silver wire but don't know what to look for. Is silver "artistic wire" actually silver / silver plated, or just silver colored? I've seen .999 silver and sterling silver wire advertised also but they seem to be plated copper and i assume prone to scuffs etc. that show the copper. And they're pricy. Is that the norm? What's a good silver or silver plated wire for wrapping (probably 20 - 24 gauge) that holds up and isn't ridiculously expensive?
Anyway, before i start throwing more money and time at my hobby i figured i'd ask the pros here for suggestions. I intend to keep playing with copper until i get bails nailed down, but in future would like to use something with a more permanent, non-tarnish finish.
|
|
|
Post by tims on Sept 8, 2017 13:15:32 GMT -5
Yeah I think i'll just keep it as a specimen. Lots of busted pieces to play with instead.
|
|
|
Post by tims on Sept 7, 2017 22:49:42 GMT -5
Remember when you slab these out,superglue the Baculite (outter layer)and every slab your going to cut also... Takes time,but worth it... Sounds like good advice, the nacre in particular seems very fragile. Some of the crystals are also ... i gave these a rinse, short soak and a light once-over with a soft brush and still had several small pieces of crystal dislodge. I did find one more agatized segment but it's pretty with visible sutures, so will have to keep hunting for one ugly enough to polish. That group photo is really washed out but found several smaller broken pieces that look full of calcite crystal so maybe i'll cut on a couple of those. Got a table full of stuff from Nebraska agate beds too so i'm hoping to give my tile saw a workout this weekend ...
|
|
|
Post by tims on Sept 7, 2017 18:25:07 GMT -5
Went hunting buffalo stones (baculite segments) and found a few, including one agatized. Also found this big baculite, hollowed, with the center filling with what i think is dogtooth calcite. This is the haul, they're not sitting in hay that's the dry grass showing through the screen -_- This one is about 5" x 2.5" with the hollow center about 2" deep: Not sure if i should keep it as a complete specimen or cut it up. It's neat as-is but might make cool little slabs ... i can guess what you all would suggest
|
|
|
Post by tims on Sept 5, 2017 12:05:56 GMT -5
Thanks Fossilman. I need to just man up and start cutting.
|
|
|
Post by tims on Sept 4, 2017 22:49:59 GMT -5
Gorgeous cab. Do you have photos of the uncut ammonite? I've got a few big pieces but they look muddy on the outside so i assume muddy on the inside too.
|
|
|
Post by tims on Sept 1, 2017 19:35:01 GMT -5
In the areas I hound for Baculites,we rarely see any Baculites that have that mineral change your finding your way! Could very well be agatized or a mineral pretty dang close to it..... Have you put any of it on a buffer wheel,to see what it does??? I've only found one piece that seems completely agatized, and a handful that are partial replacement. Until I find more I've been kind of wary of working them at all so they're still in their natural condition. If I do find more I may pick out an ugly one and try polishing it a bit just to see what it does.
|
|
|
Post by tims on Aug 19, 2017 14:30:39 GMT -5
As stated above, the "chemical polishes" you list are just different kinds of abrasives. They don't add a layer of polish like wax or varnish, they smooth the surface to the point that it is glassy and shiny.
Putting a shine on softer materials might not be doable with abrasives, or if so might require a lot of experimentation and practice. Even the vets here sometimes struggle with softer materials. If it's really soft like calcite (common in fossil material) tumbling in any abrasive might destroy it. For fossil material I'd be tempted to research preservation techniques instead of lapidary. thefossilforum.com is a good resource for fossil ID and preservation methods.
|
|
|
Post by tims on Aug 17, 2017 16:56:57 GMT -5
I need a rock shop
|
|
|
Post by tims on Aug 17, 2017 14:41:50 GMT -5
Nice piece, looking forward to a decisive ID.
|
|