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Post by frane on Sept 5, 2009 20:18:48 GMT -5
It was a great day to get out and cut a few slabs today. I think I picked some of the hardest stuff I had and then went to some of the softest I have. I cut a few slabs from the stuff that I received from Rodney. One thing I have noticed. The darker the purple burro creek, the harder the stone seems to be! Some of the darker ones: Some of the medium color and some of the lighest: I also cut up so Pigeon blood from Catmandewe: This stuff is super hard too! I trimmed out a few preforms out of pigeon blood, the green that Catmandewe sent and a wonderstone: Pictures of this first group: Then I cut some Metacinabar that I had gotten from Jamie a while back. Boy, this cuts so quick it was hard to keep a strait line! Then I cut another different looking metacinabar and one slab of picture jasper and another of agate I got from Michael John: Then, I cut some of the amethyst that I just got from Rodney. WOW! some of this seems to have a pink color in it along with a very lacey pattern! There are some soft spots so I will have to watch out for them but it will be worth it! the whole group Even the few tumbling cuts I made looked good enough for a picture: I got a little carried away but I hope you enjoy! Fran
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Post by NatureNut on Sept 5, 2009 21:07:15 GMT -5
Looks like a good day, Fran. Love the purples and the laces. Jo
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Post by tkrueger3 on Sept 5, 2009 21:49:24 GMT -5
Wow, Fran, that's a lot of slicin' and dicin' in one day!
I did some more the other day and it was a lot more satisfying after I put on the cheapo blade from Home Depot that Mel told us about - it really does cut better and longer.
Can you give me a few words more about the metacinabar? I've seen "cinnabar" on eBay, but I don't think it looked like what you have. It looks like it would make really outstanding cabs, if it's not too soft and crumbly. Where does it come from?
Tom
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Post by frane on Sept 6, 2009 8:48:39 GMT -5
I do go through a lot of blades on my tile saw! I just keep a bunch of the 9 dollar ones on hand. The metacinnabar is found in the same areas as cinnabar. It does contain mercury so it is important to wear your PPE when cutting. (It is the same with Cinnabar) It does not have as many of the cinnabar chrystals as the premo cinnabar but it is pretty and has beautiful patterns. I believe the base stone is an opalite so it is soft. Most likely, when I work cabs out of this or the chrysocola, I will take my flat lap outside to do it so I have great air ventilation and wear a mask and use plenty of water. (My safety message for the day I got this stuff from Jamie (dessertdweller) and I believe it is from AZ. Fran
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