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Post by tims on Jul 16, 2024 0:46:24 GMT -5
Sorry for the delayed response. I've rolled clinker (at least that's my best guess at what it is, lots of coal beds around here) with agate / jasper etc and some of it came out ok and some was trash. The best ones were fairly uniform hardness but took a pretty dull shine. Others I've tried have chipped out or undercut and pitted probably from inconsistent hardness. I think it's similar to a ceramic hardness at best but every piece probably varies and I don't know any tricks to improve beyond what you're doing now, your pieces look as good as my best results so far.
I did wrap one piece of it and it sold at a rock show so somebody likes the look of it. I think it's pretty. If you hear a more reliable identification of the stuff let me know.
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Post by tims on Jul 3, 2024 18:14:37 GMT -5
nice mossys ... Montana / Yellowstone? A couple of them look Sweetwater-ish. And what's that red and black material along the top row of your first pic? reminds me of clinker. Cool batch and thanks for sharing.
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Post by tims on Jun 17, 2024 20:07:51 GMT -5
Pretty jaspers and LSAs. That cloudy mossy agate is beautiful too. Nice work.
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Post by tims on Jun 16, 2024 15:37:07 GMT -5
Dang. Pretty ideal looking polish on everything. The apache tears look fantastic. Thanks for your obvious effort in sharing these with us.
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Post by tims on Jun 13, 2024 20:04:27 GMT -5
Nice collection, thanks for the pics Jason. I'd planned to go this year but since it already happened i guess i won't. Never seems to be enough time when summer rolls around.
Also thanks for clarifying on the "Hills" agates, props to them for not labeling them Fairburn. If it's legit from the area cool, but some tack on the moniker only to justify a higher selling price. Probably silly but it irks me. Some serious lunker nodules regardless.
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Post by tims on Jun 11, 2024 18:04:30 GMT -5
I use Tool Cool water-soluble synthetic lube / coolant from the Rock Shed. $8 / 8 oz ain't cheap but i don't cut very much and it seems to work ok. No rust issues on my blade ever (pan is cast aluminum). Plus i like having an excuse to cruise over to Keystone a couple times each summer.
EDIT: Oh yeah, mix is 10:1 for cutting so 8oz doesn't go very far.
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Post by tims on Jun 11, 2024 17:41:37 GMT -5
I've had a 6" project saw sitting in my shed for a decade and an MK 303 blade for it sitting on a shelf for probably 5 years. Just re-wired the motor, cleaned it up and did a few test cuts last week and the MK 303 goes through agate slabs like butter. Cut and trimmed some smaller agates ~ 1 to 2" and it sliced them nicely, thin kerf and clean cuts. Too soon to guess on durability but i've run a 10" MK 303 on my 10" saw going on 8 years now and it seems good as it ever was (i don't cut a ton though, probably a couple hundred cuts total on that one). No idea on price though i can't find them listed anywhere now when i search for them ...
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Post by tims on Jun 11, 2024 14:22:10 GMT -5
If you turn them off and leave them full i'd be tempted to leave them sitting on their side and not set them upright. As Rockanoff mentioned having all your grit / slurry settle to one end can cause issues, but i'd think if the slurry settled evenly across the length of the barrel it would mix easier when you started it rolling again. If the lids don't leak i wouldn't think they would dry out at all. Never tried it though just guessing!
I use an inline GFCI cord with a manual reset on my 12#, that way if i lose power it will just stay powered off til i get home. I always use the cord but have only experienced a couple short power interruptions when i was at home, and the cord did trip properly and stayed off until i manually reset it. The barrel didn't sit idle long enough to give any clues about the effects of slurry settling though. My 3# will start rolling no problem when powered up with the barrel on it so i just use a surge protector and don't worry about it. I'm not saying any of these methods are safe or effective it's just what i've done.
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Post by tims on Jun 6, 2024 14:43:09 GMT -5
The rutilated quartz is great, beautiful clarity.
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Post by tims on Jun 6, 2024 14:38:32 GMT -5
Had to watch the videos just to hear that viking growling Haven't used mine enough to justify owning it. Your glass is sure pretty.
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Post by tims on May 26, 2024 19:10:38 GMT -5
Those are all great, i really like the Royal Sahara. I assume those last Bruneau were difficult to work? Nothing abhorrent about the results. Thanks for sharing and for the cheesy title.
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Post by tims on Feb 21, 2024 1:48:06 GMT -5
Those are nice and great polish. Hi from NE wyo
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Post by tims on Dec 4, 2023 20:06:51 GMT -5
that 10th one down, with all the pinks and oranges and big tan face and little quartz river running across the top of it, stole my heart. thanks for sharing.
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Post by tims on Dec 4, 2023 19:55:51 GMT -5
some stunners there thanks for sharing
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Post by tims on Dec 4, 2023 19:46:54 GMT -5
fun seeing them all rough and imagining how they might shape up. those are beautiful raw. thanks for sharing.
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Post by tims on Dec 2, 2023 18:57:38 GMT -5
Nobody has talked me out of starting this batch. I keep looking at the big nodules and wondering if I’m doing the right thing. all i know is if i keep drooling like this i'll die of dehydration.
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Post by tims on Nov 19, 2023 20:57:41 GMT -5
I have similar issues with some material, especially tepee canyon agate and some local Black Hills jaspers. Want to blame micro fractures. Some finish great, others hit a certain stage, usually pre or polish, and come out looking like they jumped off a cliff.
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Post by tims on Nov 19, 2023 20:49:02 GMT -5
Love #5. Several really beautiful stones there and all look great. Thanks for sharing!
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Post by tims on Nov 9, 2023 20:58:33 GMT -5
Beautiful depth in that green moss. Your dugways are neato. Thanks for all the eye candy
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Post by tims on Nov 4, 2023 4:46:10 GMT -5
Love the red fortification agate right in the center. Pretty selection of moss agate too. All Michigan stuff?
Thanks for sharing.
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