fredito
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Post by fredito on May 31, 2019 23:05:30 GMT -5
I have the 66. I run stage 1&2 in one barrel and 3&4 in the other. Basically I will be running stages 1&3 or 2&4 at the same time.
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fredito
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Post by fredito on Mar 15, 2019 17:34:39 GMT -5
Gem Mountain in Phillipsburg is a great place to go for sapphires. Around Helena are some pay to dig sapphire places as well. If you google the area and El Dorado it should pop up. Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman has a great dinosaur display. While your out that way, mining museum in Butte is pretty cool. Virginia City is also pretty cool, if your into history. Right by it is a place called Alder that has the Red Rock mine. It’s mostly garnets, but fun. Over by Dillon is crystal park. It’s $5 a car load if I remember. Taking screens really helps there. In Spencer Idaho is an opal mine. I haven’t done it but it’s fire opal.
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fredito
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Post by fredito on Dec 23, 2018 18:36:47 GMT -5
If you had enough I would be interested as well. I could probably dig around and see what I could send your way once it warms up some!
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fredito
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Member since May 2016
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Post by fredito on Sept 5, 2018 20:38:03 GMT -5
I have likewise convinced myself as well I need one....and am trying diligently to convince myself otherwise! Don't hold back! Seriously though, it's a wonderful machine and for the right application a very useful lapidary tool. I kinda-sorta pictured it running full time polishing the backs of my cabs as I make them - as well as t-egg halves or slabs etc. I quickly realized this was not the right most effective application for that and went to the spinner which makes quick work of cabochon backsides. If there are no takers here I'll probably put it up on Craigslist in the next day or two. Trust me, I wish I could be more interested! I just got back from visiting the rockshed in SD (awesome place) and then was gifted a slab saw which I have been trying to get up and running. I would only be interested in it for polishing slabs. I have to pace myself with my rock budget!
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fredito
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Member since May 2016
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Post by fredito on Sept 5, 2018 19:23:48 GMT -5
I have likewise convinced myself as well I need one....and am trying diligently to convince myself otherwise!
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fredito
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Post by fredito on Dec 21, 2017 22:37:18 GMT -5
Very nice blanks. I enjoy turning pens and duck calls. I have turn some out of corian which has a look of stone, hard to get but turns out really cool.
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fredito
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Member since May 2016
Posts: 21
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Post by fredito on Apr 23, 2017 19:23:13 GMT -5
I added some additional ceramics to make up for the decrease in material after running stage one the first time I'm not sure why that would be a problem, unless it was as Rich said. I've never noticed a problem with running too many smalls, but then again, I am more likely to not have enough smalls in a batch. I never use ceramics in the first stage. I make up for the rocks removed and the wear on the rocks by replacing the space with more rough rock. I don't like to wear my ceramics out in the first stage and I'd rather be grinding on more rough. I think the next time I start a stage one, I will go without ceramics and see how it goes.
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fredito
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Post by fredito on Apr 23, 2017 12:37:03 GMT -5
You say you added a little filler. What was the filler? I've had this problem when I tried using plastic beads in the first stage. I did that about three times all with the same results. I no longer use plastic beads in stage one. I added some additional ceramics to make up for the decrease in material after running stage one the first time
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fredito
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Member since May 2016
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Post by fredito on Apr 23, 2017 9:48:21 GMT -5
I have done a couple of runs with no problems. However, when I went to do a clean out of my stage one barrel the other day, it seemed that some of the material/grit was stuck at the bottom of my barrel. It was mostly smalls and ceramic media. Some tie the grit that was in the bottom seemed unspent. Once I hit it with a direct stream of water, it washed out fine. In the barrel was a Variety of sizes, actually it was the second time for the same barrel in stage one, maybe added a little filler. Just curious as to what you guys think caused it...not enough water, etc. I do know that it didn't sit once I initially loaded it. Thanks
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fredito
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Post by fredito on Apr 18, 2017 18:45:33 GMT -5
About how many pounds do you think a Mfrb would be? Thanks
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fredito
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Post by fredito on Apr 9, 2017 20:13:32 GMT -5
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fredito
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Post by fredito on Apr 9, 2017 9:05:12 GMT -5
I also turn wood and have a turntex chamber and cactus juice. Works great on wood. The owner is a guy by the name of Curtis. If you give him a call he will tell you everything he know about your question. He is a heck of a nice guy!
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fredito
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Member since May 2016
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Post by fredito on Oct 11, 2016 14:26:52 GMT -5
Go on the river and you could fill a bucket in less than an hour. Yeh, the rivers closest to me don't have to much in that way, at least the ones I've looked at. I could take a drive to a few about an hour away, but with little kids, I try to shy away from looking on rivers in general Out by me, it's mostly out on hill sides. I have found plenty of quarter sized pieces, but I would like something larger. I will come across a great spot eventually!
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fredito
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Member since May 2016
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Post by fredito on Oct 11, 2016 13:55:53 GMT -5
I don't make it to that of the park that often, but I am sure they have lots of visitors. I'm impressed with that much petrified wood...I'm still trying to fill a coffee can! Keep at it and I hope you have a good season next year!
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fredito
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Member since May 2016
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Post by fredito on Oct 11, 2016 11:12:41 GMT -5
Good deal, sounds like you are lucking out! Do you happen to be talking about West Yellowstone by chance?
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fredito
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Member since May 2016
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Post by fredito on Sept 13, 2016 12:36:27 GMT -5
Good idea about the pellets or gravel. With a Lortone 6lb do you feel 2-3 fist size rocks would be to much to run at once? Sorry about all my questions, but you guys are a wealth of information.
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fredito
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Member since May 2016
Posts: 21
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Post by fredito on Sept 12, 2016 16:37:50 GMT -5
I think a larger 6lb barrel would be nice, how do you go about smaller runs in it such as 8oz of garnets? Can you just run those or do you have to fill it up with other stuff? Thanks again
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fredito
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Member since May 2016
Posts: 21
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Post by fredito on Sept 11, 2016 20:40:43 GMT -5
I am looking at getting my first tumbler and was wondering if you guys had any suggestions on what to look for or to stay away from for that matter. If you had specific brands or models you thought might be good, that would be great. I do have some rocks that are about 2.5-3 that I would like to be able to tumble, but don't want to break the bank for a couple of rocks...have lots of smaller ones too. Thanks in advance
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fredito
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Member since May 2016
Posts: 21
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Post by fredito on Jun 17, 2016 11:02:59 GMT -5
732
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fredito
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2016
Posts: 21
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Post by fredito on Jun 3, 2016 9:31:03 GMT -5
Some of those places in the MT books are no goes now. Deer Lodge is a prime example. It is private property and according to the owner, it always was. You wouldn't want to bring your kids there any way though. Lots of arsenic. That is all I can think of for now. Thanks- I have heard that about some of the spots. I have also heard some are really picked over like Argenta. But then again a dog just got pulled out of an unmarked mine shaft there so I don't think I want to be taking the kids there!!
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