|
Post by aDave on Feb 4, 2024 22:50:54 GMT -5
Next Monday when I go our rock meeting, I will try to get the new owner of Lot-o to join this site and see if he has any advise for those of you who use them. New owner? I'm sure many of us would have had no idea that ownership had changed. I think it would be absolutely amazing if you could get the new owner on board. Personally, I wouldn't want him to to be subject to a bitch session, but I would think that having a relationship with the largest (arguably) rock forum on the 'net would be very helpful for all involved.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Feb 4, 2024 21:31:11 GMT -5
I don't know if I've ever seen that material before, but it's pretty neat. I'm not looking for a specific location, but where do you find that stuff?
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Feb 4, 2024 21:28:35 GMT -5
The results were pretty good. Some smaller ones ended up glass-clear and the lacy pattern in many of the stones was nicely enhanced by the polishing. Next time I won't take any smaller than a quarter, as those the size of a nickel or so ended up pretty tiny. Nice, but tiny. I am sending samples to everyone who attended as souvenirs of the trip. You did well with those. Random beach rocks are hit and miss. I know you mentioned not picking up anything smaller than a quarter, but remember that you might need a good mix of sizes, and those "smalls" might help you with grinding efficiency.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Feb 4, 2024 20:58:03 GMT -5
I tried pulling the fans apart by rotating them in opposite directions but it doesn't really seem to pull the one out that I want pulled out farther. But I'm happy that at least it seems to be doing its job. Hmm...interesting. I don't recall mine being that tight, but I guess things can always change. I looked around a bit to see if I could confirm my original thoughts about pulling the fan away from the motor. In another user's post, he confirms it's just a friction fit. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/post/1188260/threadIf you're still having a problem with rubbing and the fan won't move outward for you, maybe a call to Lot-o can produce some helpful tips.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Feb 4, 2024 19:08:12 GMT -5
Welcome to the Forum.
I'm no ID expert, but my first guess would be rose quartz (which can be found in Riverside County). Also, the specific gravity of quartz is 2.65 according to a Google search. There are certainly folks here who are more knowledgeable than I, so perhaps others will jump in with an answer.
ETA: If it is quartz, it can certainly be tumbled.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Feb 4, 2024 17:30:34 GMT -5
Welcome to the Forum from Southern CA.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Feb 4, 2024 17:02:30 GMT -5
Fresh out of polish last night, washed for an hour in warm water and ivory soap flakes. I don’t own a vibe, these were done entirely in a 3 lb. Lortone drum. Lots of reflections! I think we should rename them to Alligator tears, or just ‘gator tears for short. Not sure why. Very nicely done. Care to share your recipe? I bet plenty of people would benefit, as a good rotary finish on obsidian is a unicorn for many.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Feb 4, 2024 16:56:38 GMT -5
A little late to the party, but happy birthday nonetheless.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Feb 4, 2024 16:41:19 GMT -5
Well...embarrassingly, I can't believe I didn't understand this, but the directions about making sure the fan weights are directly across from each other... I thought they meant the fans. I didn't even know there were weights. Anyway I figured that out and it's running much better with the weights directly across from each other. There is still a little bit of a buzz from the plastic fan hitting one of the nuts. I'm not sure how to adjust that. Thanks, Mark!!! I was just going to ask about the position of the weights, but it appears you may have figured that out. Just to be sure, the easiest way to explain it is make sure the both weights are in the same position on a clock for instance. To be simple about it, make sure both weights are in the 6 o'clock position, and you should be good to go. If you have done the weight adjustment already, you probably realized the fans can be turned on their shafts. Well, because they move, you can also pull the fan away from the motor mount nut as if you actually wanted to pull the fan off the shaft. That should take care of your clearance issue.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Feb 4, 2024 15:28:16 GMT -5
Thanks for the tips! I am pretty fortunate to live about 30 minutes away from one of the brecciated jasper hotspots! Stoney Creek! All of my stuff is self collected. I've never been there, so I had to look it up. I think I was confusing it with Clear Creek, but I can't even say for sure. Considering Stoney Creek is supposedly 75 miles long, you obviously found the right spot. Well done...the material is beautiful.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Feb 4, 2024 13:32:36 GMT -5
IMHO, there's nothing that's too sharp, especially for the coarse grind, as any of the sharpness should end up being ground away and/or rounded more. Some folks are perfectly fine using a hammer, but you have touched on the possible waste issue. A chisel may be more focused...have you tried that?
If you don't mind flat surfaces in your rough, you can always get a tile saw to size your material down. That's what I used. If your rough is larger than what the blade will cut in one pass, you can roll the rock so the rock is cut all the way around.
And, as far as plastic pellets go, don't use them for the first stage. Doing so kind of defeats the purpose of what you're trying to accomplish with the coarse grind. You want the rocks to contact each other as much as possible, and "cushioning" will only slow the process down.
ETA: That's nice looking material. If you don't mind, where did it come from?
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Feb 3, 2024 16:57:52 GMT -5
Well, we've been paying pretty close attention to the predicted storms, as we're in one of the So Cal counties that is supposed to get hit pretty hard starting tonight. We're not so much in the flatlands, as we have some elevation so water tends to drain well in the streets. Even so, my wife and I just spent the morning ensuring our yard and deck drains are clear, so I think we're pretty good on that front.
My biggest concern is the hillside at the end of our street, which is less than 100 yards away. If that hill were to let go and slide some, I think we're in a pretty crappy spot. As long as we've lived here, we've never seen any indications of potential mudslides. But, if the projected numbers bear out, this could be one of the wettest storms since 1982, if I heard the historical weather correctly. In terms of sheer rainfall, I think we can handle that. But, with the ground getting over-saturated, that's when the mudslide possibility comes into play.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Jan 28, 2024 1:58:01 GMT -5
Welcome from NEOhio! and I agree with Tommy! We all start somewhere (note my user name) and anytime you learn by doing and share, we all learn too! There are many different ways to do lapidary and I for one am always interested to see others processes! Look forward to see what you create! I appreciate the greeting rocknewb101! Thanks. I gotta ask you this... Would I be correct in guessing that you're an ATV guy too? Your profile picture made me wonder. I'm curious now... That's where I spend a big part of my summer here in Minnesota. Just trying to get lost in the forests and somehow find my way home by the end of the weekends. Plus it's a good way to search for a few rocks in quiet places. Regards, Mark While this wasn't directed at me, I just thought I'd point out that the member in question is actually the "she" in the avatar photo. Shame on me if I don't have the name correctly, but I believe it is Petra. Someone please correct me if my assessment is incorrect.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Jan 28, 2024 0:12:09 GMT -5
aDave - I edited my post. I do understand. Those coordinates are actually already posted online elsewhere...but I get your point. Thanks for the (well deserved) kick in the butt. Thanks Jason., though it wasn't meant to be a kick in the butt. I deleted my post where I quoted you, so those coordinates are no longer on the public side. Thanks for understanding. I know we all want to share with members, but it was pointed out to me about public availability and I've tried to be pretty judicious about what is shared online. That's just me. That's just part of my quirkiness. If you're good with your spots going to the general public, then so be it, and I was out of line for pointing that out. Your post would have been fine, then. But, in the past, I had someone chew my butt about sharing locations on the public side...or at least warn me not to do so. You're a great guy about being open, but we don't need any random Google searchers popping up hounding spots by simply landing in the forum. That's just me.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Jan 26, 2024 13:13:43 GMT -5
Welcome from Southern CA. Despite my parents living in the Tucson area, I never hounded there. I did, however, manage to find a place for what are my favorite chicken wings. Enjoy your stay.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Jan 19, 2024 12:46:45 GMT -5
Ed's brother, Michael, replied to my email, and the family has now seen the article. He again expressed his sincere appreciation to everyone on the board for what we did for Ed with the bench. ETA: Rockoonz and liveoak, I also let Michael know that you two reached out via a forum PM or through FB Messenger, in the event you had anything else specific for him.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Jan 19, 2024 0:23:43 GMT -5
Has anyone messaged Ed’s brother? Rick, I don't know if it's a staff perk or not, but we can see email addresses of members, and I've let his brother know that the zoo published an article about Ed. I just sent the email, and I provided a link to the article. If the brother needs more direction, he'll be able to directly reply to my email. Thanks for asking, and I'm hoping we have it covered. ETA: Patty liveoak , I hope this also addresses your concern. Lee Rockoonz, you too.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Jan 12, 2024 20:41:29 GMT -5
I'd be curious if you received a positive result. Please update should the time come. I sent my message to him yesterday afternoon and got a very positive response from Nick last evening. He has no stock available right now, but expects to, probably mid- February. This is the link to the reservation form to order: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdD1E_lnM8uhAGqg0wWJqtL5XtHuNDANqO3SijRk2vR4GkRGQ/viewform. I'm glad you got a response. I am not in the market for one, but I was simply curious. The info you shared will probably be helpful to others, so thanks for passing that along.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Jan 12, 2024 0:59:23 GMT -5
Yes, most are chalcedony. The bottom one is copper ore. The dark blue in it is azurite. The dark green is malachite, which is what azurite forms in to. The brown is a mix of iron oxides and hydroxides known as limonite. The host rock for this material is mainly dolomite. I was hoping you'd jump in. You are clearly the expert in that area.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Jan 12, 2024 0:54:39 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback,everyone. I have tried reaching out through his personal page and, hopefully, he'll get my message. I'd be curious if you received a positive result. Please update should the time come.
|
|