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Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 20, 2010 17:51:10 GMT -5
Hi Julie! I think the first set of carnelians is looking pretty good, but there seems to be lots of pits or like "hickies" in them. If it were me, I'd probly either grind them smoother with either the edge of the trim saw blade or with the sanding wheel, or put them back in the rotary tumblers with some really coarse grit, say some 46-70, and check them weekly until the pits are gone, then crank through to polish again. Of course, if the surface texture they have now is ok with you, then that's cool - they have a pretty good shine on them already. Just MHO! Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 19, 2010 12:21:54 GMT -5
Holy cow! That's quite a haul. Are you sure it was a BOX and not a CRATE? Wow!
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 19, 2010 12:19:49 GMT -5
Dang, Nancy, that's terrific! It's WAY more advanced than the simple one I'm in the middle of attempting - very impressive!
Tom
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dead WF
Mar 18, 2010 23:01:12 GMT -5
Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 18, 2010 23:01:12 GMT -5
Yep, I read all those negative reviews. About the water - if you use the supplied pump, it has a flow regulator on it - it will pump about as much or as little as you want. And in addition, the saw itself has a regulator built into the housing. I turned both of them all the way up, and damn near drowned! I have them both at about 50%, and everything stays real wet except me. I'm thinking somebody just didn't read the instructions. ;D
Of course, if you don't want to use their pump, it has provision to hook it directly to the garden hose, and let it drain straight out. You will get a constant supply of clean water to the blade that way, but you might also be standing in a swamp by the time you're done!
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 18, 2010 22:53:44 GMT -5
Luscious-looking cabs! The first one is a real stunner. But the second one is seriously gorgeous. And the picture jasper is sweeeet!
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 18, 2010 22:50:55 GMT -5
That's a very pretty little ..... um ..... tigereye? It'll make a beautiful ring, for sure!
Tom
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dead WF
Mar 18, 2010 19:49:01 GMT -5
Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 18, 2010 19:49:01 GMT -5
Fran, I'm itching to get cutting with the new saw, but my first real chance will be Sunday, unless my daughter goes into labor, in which case, who knows when?
I'm really liking this new saw, now if I could just win the lottery and buy a new cabbing machine like yours, I'd be happier than a pig in slop! LOL!
Oh, I could use a nicer house, too! ;D
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 17, 2010 22:36:58 GMT -5
Wow - you really have a WIDE variety of both sizes and material of differing MOH's hardness! I hope it all comes out great for you! Looking good so far.
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 17, 2010 19:02:09 GMT -5
In my experience, Shawn is probably one of the most reliable and honest vendors out there. Notwithstanding the wonderful folks here on RTH, of course!
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 17, 2010 18:58:54 GMT -5
Man, wouldn't I love to go to that! However, for me it'd be a 3-day drive out and 3-days back, and I'm just too old and stove in for a trip like that! I don't get on airplanes any more, either. I have no desire to be herded around like sheep and be forced to buy 2 tickets just because they decided to make their seats only 17 inches wide and my butt's a good 20 if I don't eat for a week!
But I hope y'all sell everything you take out there! Good luck!
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 17, 2010 18:55:35 GMT -5
John (jsgems) - you just rang my bell! dino and black jade! Awrite! I hope I can find your display amongst all the bead sellers!
Of course, I have to bring my sister - but that way, you'll know it's me - we'll probably be the 2 biggest people there! LOL!
Tom
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dead WF
Mar 17, 2010 18:48:02 GMT -5
Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 17, 2010 18:48:02 GMT -5
Dr Joe - Well, I think I must have done it one day when I was trying to cut up a chunk of wonderstone, and it was hard stuff, and I managed to jam the blade. All of a sudden. That rock jammed the blade 3 or 4 times. I think that's all it took. Ever after that, the blade "jitters" when cutting, and that's with at least 2 more new blades. And it's not a true Workforce saw - it was Lowe's version of it, more than likely Chicago Electric, I'd guess.
The new saw is "DA BOMB!" I had to take it all apart and reassemble it - 2 of the legs come already attached from the factory, except they were put on backwards. After that festuche, I filled the tray, turned it on and adjusted the spray, then cut up a nice big chunk of rhodonite. The chunk was 3" tall, and the saw's max cut is 2-1/8". But the head can swivel up and down, allowing use like a chop saw. So I loosened the head and let it ride up and over the big rock, and it worked like a charm!
I only cut up the one rock, though, because after all the work putting it together twice, my back is killing me. But next chance I get, I'm a-gonna be slicin and dicin!
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 17, 2010 16:12:16 GMT -5
Hi, Jack - do you polish wire-wrapped pendants in the stainless shot? I'm guessing it should polish ok, without hurting the stone unless it's a really soft stone, and should make the wires stiffen a bit also.
I was unable to find anything on "Will Smith" other than tons of stuff about the actor.
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 17, 2010 16:09:05 GMT -5
Wow, that's nice! The colors and pattern kinda remind me of how a newborn Hereford calf usually looks! Like some folks around here say, "purtier'n a speckled pup!"
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 17, 2010 16:07:11 GMT -5
Dang, those are purty, Randy! I love that imperial jasper, no matter what color it is. Great cabs.
Tom
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dead WF
Mar 17, 2010 16:04:02 GMT -5
Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 17, 2010 16:04:02 GMT -5
Well, I tried to slab a couple of smaller chunks this morning, but because of the slight bend in the Workforce saw's shaft, and the resulting vibration of the blade, I only succeeded in breaking the rocks.
So I tossed the saw (it gave me several months of good service before I managed to bend it) and went to Home Depot. I eventually came home with the "Ryobi 7 In. Portable Tile Saw with Laser Model # WS750L". Online it shows for $299, but in the store it was $279, and I let them talk me into opening a HD account, which got me another $25 off.
The reviews of this saw are by and large negative, but seems to me all the negative comments I read had to do with cutting large tiles. None of the issues seemed to me like they would apply to cutting rocks.
I slaved for 2.5 hours with the "some assembly required", so by the time I got it all put together, I'm exhausted. I'll go out in a little while and fire it up and see what it does.
One nice thing about this saw is that its depth of cut is a full 1 inch deeper than the Workforce (2-1/8"). I also like the idea of the sliding table, instead of sliding the rock. Well, we'll see.
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 16, 2010 22:57:49 GMT -5
Now if I can only get my "days off" from pre-committed chores to coincide with the weather, I'll get the old Workforce out and slice some rock, bent shaft and all! Of course if it gets any worse and starts really destroying good slabs, I'll chuck it out in the alley, go to Home Depot, and buy a new one!
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 16, 2010 22:51:33 GMT -5
Daniel, that's awesome! I've only just begun trying to use the little bit I learned in my one-day class, and I've a question for you: How do you mount the cab onto the backing? Do you make a bezel and then solder it to the face of the back plate, or do you simply glue the cab to the back plate? I'm really struggling with the bezel-making process.
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 16, 2010 22:47:36 GMT -5
Absolutely gorgeous!
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 16, 2010 14:46:18 GMT -5
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