grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on May 27, 2013 13:59:51 GMT -5
No question. The top choice is my favorite, by far. There is so much more going on in that slab and direction.
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on May 27, 2013 11:47:50 GMT -5
Fun stuff. I really like your crystals a lot!
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on May 25, 2013 19:19:42 GMT -5
Hi beefjello,
I don't know if this would work for me. Maybe you can help me out. I do not have a saw (yet), and only tumble (rotary and vibe). Would any of the boxes work for just a tumbler guy like me? I strive for flawless tumbles, so deep flaws probably wouldn't work out for me. Let me know what you think based on your first-hand selection.
"grizman"
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on May 25, 2013 17:05:11 GMT -5
Hi Chuck,
Very colorful, and an excellant variety of stones. Did you collect the "rough" yourself, or do you have a good source for the tumbling rough? How many weeks in the rotary to get them down to flawless rocks ready for the vibe? Many times that has been my issue with the rough I have purchased. They are so "rough" that it takes months in the rotary and then I finally realize it has been a waste of time, effort and grit...and they still have flaws.
"grizman"
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on May 24, 2013 21:04:53 GMT -5
A Big Congrats to your wife Randy. I know you deserve some recognition too, as I know what i went through when my wife got her Ph D. It was hard for me to just let her do her studying, and not have to worry about being a wife & mother for a couple of years.
The real congrats to your wife's choice of profession. Sometime in all of lives we will all need and appreciate folks like her!!
grizman
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on May 24, 2013 16:17:20 GMT -5
Yup, Galena all the way!
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on May 24, 2013 15:49:14 GMT -5
Wow is right! Having built a very small pond compared to yours, I know what kind of work was required. I am nothing but impressed with the level of work you did with hand tools, and it's SIZE! I am too old...or just too lazy to even consider something of that magnitude.
My pond is only 5' X 12', but I have a stream with a 5' drop with 4 waterfalls into my pond. My wife and I did most of the work, except we hired a bobcat to bring in some of our large rock (500#ers to 1,200#ers).
A water feature is wonderful in the summer, but if I were to ever consider it again, I would probably pass on that idea. The maintenance and repair due to winter freezing has more than doubled our original investment. We are just now getting it cleaned out and putting the pump back in. It should be gurgling and splashing by tomorrow evening.
Make sure you enjoy all your hard work now!
grizman
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on May 20, 2013 21:20:53 GMT -5
OK, where did you get the rough? I really like them, and would like to tumble some of that stuff myself.
grizman
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on May 5, 2013 14:49:14 GMT -5
John,
Nah, that stuff isn't any harder, you just have a CLEAN saw!!
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on May 5, 2013 14:46:14 GMT -5
I love them all, but the psilo is beyond descriptive words!
"grizman"
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on May 4, 2013 13:49:17 GMT -5
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on May 2, 2013 18:40:45 GMT -5
What is the mohs for the pudding stone? Could it be tumbled as a cab or small slab?
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on May 1, 2013 20:35:29 GMT -5
Hi John,
Your pictures of your vacation adventure were very cool and thanks for sharing your good times with us. The "real" gift you shared was the fact that you were there (and continue to be there) for your buddy's boys! You may forget the snorkeling, the fishing, the pool etc., but your friend whom you have been there for, and the shared special times, will NEVER be forgotten.This just shows us all the kind of person you are!
GREAT JOB JOHN!
"grizman"
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Apr 27, 2013 11:56:20 GMT -5
I'm just guessing, but are you talking about when tumbling? If so, here's the reason tokeep them wet between stages. When you take them out and let them dry you will find that the slurry that may have collected in a dimple, crack, or even on a smooth surface, will dry as hard as concrete. When you go to the next stage, some of it will get ground or knocked off and now you may have a courser grit along with your pre-polish, or polish stage. Obviously this is not as critical if you have breach washed stones, or have perfectly rounded off your rocks in the rough tumble stage, but it is a real issue with any places for the slurry to collect and dry out. A soap or borax rinse in your tumbler for an hour will also help to eliminate the hidden slurry, but keeping them wet is the real secret. I hope I explained this OK
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Apr 26, 2013 12:42:58 GMT -5
Ouch! That was a BIG price to pay for your great collection of fire agate. It reminds me to be extra careful on my outings, as I take Plavix for my heart, and it thins my blood so much that a tiny scratch bleeds like crazy! I tell my wife that a gnat flying into my body anywhere will cause a baseball sized bruise! That is a nasty wound, and I hope you heal OK. Yes, I love the fire agates you gathered also!
grizman
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Apr 25, 2013 22:47:22 GMT -5
I too, have a tray full of my favs, on the coffee table or shelf above the TV ( that's all up to the "boss"). My wife also take all of my like colors and puts them in our large pots of cactus on our patio. she likes to try and find a rock color that works well with the pot color(s). We also use lots of our rather plain beach rocks (but with great polish) on the rock flats of our waterfall feature in our patio area. With their high polish, they always look "wet'. even when the waterfall is not running.
Next??? My wife keeps asking me, and I don't have any answer that suits her. I know I will just keep tumbling, and "hiding" my treasures somewhere.
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Apr 25, 2013 22:28:20 GMT -5
OK,I'm a newbie, who maybe is stepping out of bounds here, by my asking but knowing that I will never have the skill to copy your art, I am wondering just how you went about getting the agate "moon" into the ob sky? If it is a secret, I truly understand, but with me there is absolutely no danger of my copying your skill/craft. Inquiring minds want to know!!
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Apr 24, 2013 20:48:59 GMT -5
That is some of the nicest wrapping I have seen in a long time! Keep it up!
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Apr 23, 2013 21:46:55 GMT -5
Both are wonderful, but the 2nd one is a step beyond that... Great effort on your part to bring the beauty out.
"grizman"
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Apr 21, 2013 22:44:16 GMT -5
Wow! OK, I got the message regarding the Covington. That is what makes this forum so great! A "newbie" like me, hears you folks talking about the features one would probably want in a good mini-slab/trim saw, and I think I have found a great answer to my needs and wishes. WRONG! But...I am also smart enough to let the folks (like you all) have some say as to your experiences and recommendations! Thanks to all of you for your time taken to set me straight on a "solid" saw instead of a piece of junk. The Barranca will be getting a lot more attention... "grizman"
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