jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Dec 17, 2012 8:43:01 GMT -5
www.flickr.com/photos/67205364@N06/sets/72157632266520522/Photos 1,2,3 are 6 pounds of tumbled coral split up on 3 plates Photos 4-15 are the same 6 pounds of tumbles split 12 ways Photo 16 was a 28 pound coral head reduced to 15 pounds of rinds and certain sections that often show grain and good color.This coral showed a lot of purple in pre heat test chip. Photos 17-26 are some slabs to burn. Photos 27-30 are 4 chips off of 4 large coral heads to heat for color potential. Next cold day i will cook this load.May have to repolish the tumbled stuff due to ocasional heat stains from impurities in the sand i think.Lay it out in similar format and do comparitive photography using flicker's software.
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Fossilman
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Post by Fossilman on Dec 17, 2012 11:52:20 GMT -5
Awesome!
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jcinpc
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Post by jcinpc on Jan 6, 2013 20:37:04 GMT -5
most of that is coochie coral and wont turn at all, you need to cook first then tumble. The coochie coral will turn a pinckish color if any at all.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jan 6, 2013 22:19:50 GMT -5
Check this color out .This came from Withlacoochee.It was light brown before i cooked it.It was exposed to air for many years and had deep water stain,probably high in iron.That color is common in grainier heads that absorb minerals/metals from clay and river water. Attachments:
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jcinpc
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Post by jcinpc on Jan 6, 2013 22:38:03 GMT -5
what are you spalling with?
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jan 6, 2013 22:50:20 GMT -5
Those are fine.That looks like Zephyr Hills stuff.I never seen that much red in a coral head(the one with the red specks and the 3 sided cab).I found this last week jc.I have been collecting on the Withlacoochee for many years.I have atleast 20 honey holes.This shoal has a lot of of brown coral.I have several tons laying around my place.Been heating pieces of of a bunch of coral heads to see what they do.I had to go back down ther twice recently to stock up on the stuff that changes colors.There is a bunch that do not change. Like i said this heat thing is new to me.So i have to ask what spalling is.I have always collected specimen heads to saw for displays,lamps and tumbling.Not till lately for heating and never for knapping.But i run into guys hunting knap material.I just tumble and do specimens and now heating.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jan 6, 2013 23:12:18 GMT -5
I do use a the flat side of a ball peen hammer.About 4 different 8,12,16,48 once or even a sledge on real big stuff.I reduce to small pieces to tumble.But you are saying to use soft metal to keep from fracturing.Never thought about it .I hate fractures,one reason i like coral is it does not have many fractures.I throw away tumbled stuff sometimes if it has fractures.I will try such a hammer.I have used steel so many years i hope i could change.
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jcinpc
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Post by jcinpc on Jan 6, 2013 23:32:15 GMT -5
you can change the temper on your hammer heads and small sledge heads by putting them in a very very hot fire and biurn the temper out, coral is a 7 on the Mohs scale but will fracture like crazy, especially the river stuff, easier to see
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jan 6, 2013 23:41:28 GMT -5
I feel more comfortable with soft steel.Oxy acetylene to cherry red to get the temper out.Withlacochee stuff is like glass.I learned to wear protection from fragments,like severed vein.Thanks for info man.
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