nomorehobbies
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2014
Posts: 11
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Post by nomorehobbies on Oct 31, 2014 19:44:27 GMT -5
Just stumbled on this site. Seems like there is a lot of great sharing of information. I took a beginning lapidary course years ago and but I didn't pursue it. Then I woke up one morning with an incredible craving for orbicular jasper. And then lace agates. Petrified wood - especially the State Stone of The Great State of Texas - Palmwood. These symptoms seem to be getting worse. I now have a stock pile of rough and slabs. So now I need a good book on lapidary. I'm looking for one that discusses how to slice and cab different stones. I have a fear of walking up to the saw and shattering a fav slab. Help a sister out?
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Post by captbob on Oct 31, 2014 23:18:07 GMT -5
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Post by Peruano on Nov 1, 2014 7:12:43 GMT -5
They are all good, in that it is such an individual art. Shopping for lapidary books and magazines on Abebooks can be a hobby in its own right, and used prices are pretty cheap for what you are getting. Enjoy the ride. Tom
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nomorehobbies
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2014
Posts: 11
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Post by nomorehobbies on Nov 1, 2014 10:54:20 GMT -5
Thanks CaptBob. I just bought it. And thank you Peruano for the new source.
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nomorehobbies
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2014
Posts: 11
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Post by nomorehobbies on Nov 1, 2014 11:07:23 GMT -5
Hey Tom - Abebooks is great. Scored 3 more books including Culp's Appalachian Minerals and Trails for $3!
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Post by captbob on Nov 1, 2014 16:06:54 GMT -5
I think you'll get a lot out of that book Ms. NoMore. I pulled my copy out last night and flipped through it before suggesting it. The machines they use in the book for making cabs are flat laps whereas most use units with wheels these days, but the principles are the same. Lots of info on saws and cutting. There is a hardback version which I could have linked to, but it's quite a bit more expensive. Introduction to lapidary is another decent book for just getting started information, but probably a lot of the same as what you just bought. Here's another eBay link, but I wouldn't do the Buy it Now - wait and win it for the opening bid if you are interested as books aren't in high demand. www.ebay.com/itm/3-lapidary-books-Including-Introduction-to-Lapidary-by-Pansy-Krause-All-New-/291281373052?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43d1b9077cYou don't really mention what aspect(s) of lapidary you are interested in. Welcome to the forum! Lots of fine folks here to help with any questions you may come up with, and that just love to talk about rocks. Don't be a stranger.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Nov 1, 2014 18:07:36 GMT -5
Just stumbled on this site. Seems like there is a lot of great sharing of information. I took a beginning lapidary course years ago and but I didn't pursue it. Then I woke up one morning with an incredible craving for orbicular jasper. And then lace agates. Petrified wood - especially the State Stone of The Great State of Texas - Palmwood. These symptoms seem to be getting worse. I now have a stock pile of rough and slabs. So now I need a good book on lapidary. I'm looking for one that discusses how to slice and cab different stones. I have a fear of walking up to the saw and shattering a fav slab. Help a sister out? South Texas along the Rio and up around George West is about as good as it gets. Welcome to the forum, glad to hear the about the cravings.
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Post by Peruano on Nov 2, 2014 7:58:05 GMT -5
read the book, but definitely get over that fear of shattering the stone. "Never fall in love with the stone". Grind, saw, polish, or just fondle it until you are happy that you have it perfect (in your eyes) or have liberated it from the shell that it was born in. Oh and send all the imperfects to your friends - they might see something you missed. Cheers. Tom
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nomorehobbies
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2014
Posts: 11
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Post by nomorehobbies on Nov 2, 2014 14:38:16 GMT -5
Thanks, CaptBob - I did buy that Intro Book from Abebooks for very cheap. It looks good. I'm looking to make specific shaped cabs and rough edged slabs for my jewelry. Need something other than round and oval cabs. I really like small rough edged slabs without the high sheen. I even like a matte finish or just like bring it up only to 800-1200 grit. I especially like my Wild Horse or Owyhee jaspers with a soft matte finish.
Thanks Tom, but I don't know if I will ever get over my fear. Every piece is a unique treasure. I worry that I'll totally blank on the Mohs and turn something into flying shards and powder. Or hitting the cleavage wrong. Or grinding off my fingers. I really screwed up a moonstone my nephew found by not cutting to show the chatoyancy. I have some Fordite rough I'd like to play with but I know you can zip right through the layers like a fire agate.
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nomorehobbies
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2014
Posts: 11
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Post by nomorehobbies on Nov 2, 2014 14:40:21 GMT -5
Hey Jamesp, are you talking about finding Palmwood in south Texas and George West? I know there's a guy in my club that goes off for agates in south and west Texas.
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Post by snowmom on Nov 3, 2014 8:04:35 GMT -5
welcome from Michigan!
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nomorehobbies
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2014
Posts: 11
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Post by nomorehobbies on Nov 4, 2014 11:35:26 GMT -5
Thanks, Snowmom. Send some cold down here.
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nomorehobbies
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2014
Posts: 11
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Post by nomorehobbies on Nov 9, 2014 12:18:05 GMT -5
CaptBob - The Sikankas book is GREAT! Exactly what I wanted. Thanks again.
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emyhro40480
starting to shine!
Rockhounding since I was knee-hi to a grasshopper.
Member since October 2014
Posts: 49
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Post by emyhro40480 on Nov 30, 2014 16:53:07 GMT -5
Introduction to Lapidary. Pansy D. Kraus ISBN #0-8019-7266-3 Got it on Amazon for next to nothing. It was an old library book in great shape. Hope it helps. And welcome to the board.
Ed M.
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nomorehobbies
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2014
Posts: 11
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Post by nomorehobbies on Dec 1, 2014 12:44:20 GMT -5
Thanks! I did get it and its great.
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Post by pghram on Dec 1, 2014 23:13:27 GMT -5
Welcome. You'll get more info here than from most books.
Rich
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