zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Nov 7, 2017 13:40:10 GMT -5
wigglinrocks, Got any photos of what they look on the inside? Lynn
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Nov 7, 2017 13:26:51 GMT -5
nemesis21 That's a sweet Laker! Looks to be over a pound too. Did you find it on a beach, or gravel pit? Lynn
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Nov 7, 2017 13:21:43 GMT -5
I was asked in a PM about Hxtal, a 2 part epoxy I use for stabilizing slabs & cabs so I decided to make the info available to everyone. In a Google search of Hxtal the first result is the manufacturer. They have a Distributor page listing various sites to buy it from. I buy from these guys: www.hisglassworks.com/shop/adhesives/epoxies/hxtal-nyl-1.htmlMake sure to get residual oil out of the material. Soaking slabs in Dawn dishwashing soap or your favorite solvent can help. Then I run the slabs through the dishwasher. It's OK, the amount of oil in a slab is minimal & won't adversely affect your dishwasher. I set my slabs/cabs on a piece of steel sheet or block. I heat them with a 100w incandescent light bulb as close as I can get it - 1-2" until it's too hot to touch (an hour or so). My bulb is in an articulated desk lamp which lets me position it close to the stone. The lamp has a metal shade which concentrates the heat. Mix Hxtal on a scrap of coated cardstock with a flat toothpick. Pointed toothpicks are not good at mixing. Uncoated cardboard may soak up some of the chemicals & alter the ratio of the mix. Mix thoroughly. Use the toothpick like a squeegee to make sure all gets mixed well. I've transferred the Hxtal into small squeeze bottles I bought at a craft store. Joann has a 6 pack for $3. (edit 04.09.2022 - not anymore) I mix small quantities, as in 2 drops of B & 6 drops of A, so there's no waste. It's expensive. Apply mixed Hxtal with same toothpick. Continue to heat for a least a couple of hours. I often forget about it & heat for 3-5 hours. Let cool. Wait a day before grinding or cutting. Maybe someday I'll add some photos of my setup & process. Gotta make Scott happy! Lynn Tommy
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Nov 7, 2017 10:51:00 GMT -5
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Nov 3, 2017 18:58:33 GMT -5
TheRock, OK, now we're all officially jealous. I'm not going to show you my messy & cramped workspace. Lynn
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Nov 3, 2017 18:49:52 GMT -5
Jugglerguy, That 14" Frantom saw is a great saw. It has a real vise, unlike the one Lortone uses on the 12" & 14" similar saws. I hope you win the bidding. Lynn
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Nov 3, 2017 18:41:33 GMT -5
About a year ago I added an LED lightbar made from PVC conduit. It pivots on each end so I can position it how I want. Up against the hoods gives a clear view of the work Lynn, in your spare time could you post a picture of the business side of your light bar - where the light strip shines through the cut in the pvc and how you kept it fastened in place inside the PVC. I did something similar where I simply fastened the LED light bars directly to the hood but it's not working out long term. I'm looking for new ideas for my soon to be built version-2 as well. Your request made me clean the rock snot off the LEDs. Wow It's much brighter! This uses a waterproof LED strip that has a mini in-line 110 AC to 12V DC converter. You can see it in the 3rd photo. I hope you like my professional quality retaining ring on the left end. I'm still going to remake this. I have some extruded aluminum with frosted covers made for LED strip lighting along with some LEDs with mixed color temps. They are much brighter than this one. I will try to post pix of the aluminum & new LED strip and specs for the LEDs. Lynn
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Nov 2, 2017 16:54:59 GMT -5
rockjunquie, Great cabs as usual. The Bruneau gets my eye. Lynn
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Nov 2, 2017 16:45:25 GMT -5
@o0dan0o, Welcome from Southern Utah. I keep hearing about therockshed.com/. Their prices beat everyone else's. Lynn
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Nov 2, 2017 14:31:40 GMT -5
kdrissel, Welcome from Southern Utah. Beachcombing was always my de-stresser. Finding rocks & glass to bring home & tumble is a plus. Lynn
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Nov 1, 2017 9:51:03 GMT -5
vegasjames - The subject & the article in the link don't jibe. I'm interested in the fossil more than depth sounding. Lynn
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Oct 30, 2017 15:27:04 GMT -5
@shotgunner , on page 2 of this thread I show my gravity feed bucket. I've since switched to an aquarium pump feed. 5 Gallon bucket sits on the floor. Pump is plugged in to power strip along with motor & lights. I only have a single feed line which I move from one wheel to the next. (not shown in the photo) See the holes above each wheel. About a year ago I added an LED lightbar made from PVC conduit. It pivots on each end so I can position it how I want. Up against the hoods gives a clear view of the work. Pivoted away gives better lighting of the work. I just view it between the hood & lightbar. I bought some brighter LED strips, but haven't made version 2 yet. Give me a couple more years! Lynn
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Oct 30, 2017 9:28:42 GMT -5
beefjello, Along with everyone else, I'm very jealous. You got some great Dino bone! The agatized barite looks great too. Much more color than any I've seen, bought, or found. I was at the Moab Gem show a couple of weeks ago & got some great bone, but not as colorful as yours, not the quantity you got & way more $$ than you paid. $8 for that 4.5 lb yellow one? what a deal. There's a red slab that is the epitome of what bone can be. Lynn
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Oct 26, 2017 9:17:34 GMT -5
Er, umm...Nice weather! Lynn
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Oct 26, 2017 9:15:10 GMT -5
orrum - I guess we got lost for a reason! Great stone & great silver work. Lynn
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Oct 25, 2017 18:10:46 GMT -5
Tommy - That's a very colorful slice of Indian Paint Stone. You could also soak it in oil before cutting so it can't absorb any more during the cut. Lynn
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Oct 25, 2017 16:15:24 GMT -5
I traced a couple of cabs and added details of how I was going to silversmith them. My wife took a look & drew one into a cat face & the other into a pig face. From then on, we referred to them as the cat & pig pendants! Lynn
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Oct 25, 2017 16:02:57 GMT -5
Just finished number 2. Who knew gold was so dirty? Not terribly flattering and now that I see a close up picture I can make out the mistakes better. edit to add- got better pictures. Meow!
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Oct 25, 2017 9:59:01 GMT -5
Skuta, welcome to the forum from Southern Utah. Someday I'll get to Australia. We have some great material to be collected locally. But Australia has some wonderful rocks too: Tiger iron, Noreena jasper, Opal of all kinds, Variscite, Rainforest jasper, Chrysphrase, Mookaite. I know I'm missing a few. I'm sure someone will chime in. Lynn
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Oct 25, 2017 9:36:07 GMT -5
Wow!
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