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Post by aDave on Jul 11, 2019 13:54:48 GMT -5
I wouldn't go beyond vinegar in strength. As the matrix surrounding the agate in pieces I've had was limestone, you probably don't want to etch that away or destroy it. As an alternative, how about using pumice or a similar abrasive to clean off the caliche? You can find glass and pumice stones at the hardware store that are used to clean off caliche rings in toilets, sinks and showers (won't work as well if the agate has sharp edges). If you're real patient, you can soak in very warm water, then chip off at least some of the coating with the end of a paper clip, straight pin, old xacto blade, etc. Good point...thanks. I didn't consider the matrix. If that's an issue, maybe even stay away from the 25% vinegar?
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Post by aDave on Jul 11, 2019 13:52:35 GMT -5
Those turned out pretty nice, but they can be improved upon (not a criticism at all). I don't know why Nat Geo labels its 1200 as polish, because it's really not. 1200 would usually be considered a pre-polish which would not be a final stage - there would be a "true" polish stage after that. Much of the AO polish that is out there is 1 - 1.5 micron which equates to 14,000 - 13,000 grit. That's quite a bit finer than what you had to work with. And, if you added that step, I think you'd see some improvement in the shine. That said, if you and your daughter are happy with them, don't sweat it. But, if you want to try to get a bit more out of those rocks, pick up some AO polish from somewhere like the Rock Shed.
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Post by aDave on Jul 11, 2019 13:40:22 GMT -5
Looks like you might have some caliche on your rocks. You might try vinegar first, simply because it's more mild and you don't have to worry about neutralizing it when you're done. Jugglerguy just picked up muriatic acid at Home Depot for his most recent acid work, so maybe he'll have some tips if you go with that. If you go the household vinegar route, just know that most product you'll find in stores is 5-6%, so it's really kind of weak. Still may work...just might take a while. When I went to clean a bunch of pet wood from Dobell's, I started with 6% but was able to find 25% to use instead. It worked pretty well. Can't recall where I found it though.
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Post by aDave on Jul 8, 2019 1:17:09 GMT -5
Tom...Tim...whatever. At least I remembered it was three letters and started with a "T." I'll see what we can do. If we head out there, I'll be sure to let you know.
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Post by aDave on Jul 7, 2019 23:38:20 GMT -5
The Prescott Gem and Mineral Club's annual show is coming up!
August 2-4 at the Prescott Valley Event Center (now renamed the Findley Center), 3201 N. Main Street, Prescott Valley, AZ.
If you're in the area, pop in and say hi. Vince and I have a booth there every year.
There will be over 60 vendors from all over the western US and this year we are hosting the RMFMS' annual conference. The club has an awesome fluorescent rock display, geode cracking, mineral identification area and a kids area. It is the biggest and best show in Northern Arizona (and keeps getting bigger every year).
Parking is free. Entrance fees are $5 Adults, $4 Senior 65+, Vets, Students and kids under 12 free with a paid adult. There is an ATM on the premises, a food vendor and it's air conditioned.
Come up to the beautiful high country and rockhound in comfort. Hmm...it's been a while since we've been to Prescott, so it might be a good time for us to go back. We'll have to check our schedule. If we're not staying with friends in Talking Rock, we usually stay at the Comfort Suites just up the road from the event center. I remember when it was Tom's Toyota Center. Thanks for the heads up.
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Post by aDave on Jul 6, 2019 22:34:02 GMT -5
Grant saxplayer , did you run them in coarse at all, or did they go straight to the Lot-O in 120/220? I did, about 2 weeks. I wanted a bit of a softened edge and it turned out they didn’t chip at all Thanks. With mine, I did what Drummond Island Rocks did with his Mexican agates. I just sent them to 120/220 after cutting and left quite a bit of matrix. You did well with yours.
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Post by aDave on Jul 6, 2019 19:41:32 GMT -5
Grant saxplayer, did you run them in coarse at all, or did they go straight to the Lot-O in 120/220?
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Post by aDave on Jul 5, 2019 23:01:27 GMT -5
Well done with yours. You did far better than I did with mine. I chose to leave more matrix on the outside after the 120 stage, but your material is far better than what I had to work with. Well done.
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Post by aDave on Jul 4, 2019 14:42:16 GMT -5
Tommy Unfricking believable. That is such sad news. How did you get word? Through the grapevine? I am facebook friends with him and his wife posted on his page so it came up on my newsfeed. Yeah, unfricking believable is about right. It may be asking too much, but I sure hope that someone can carry the torch for him for what he was doing for his daughter and other special needs kids. I'm truly heartbroken.
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Post by aDave on Jul 4, 2019 14:36:34 GMT -5
TommyUnfricking believable. That is such sad news. How did you get word? Through the grapevine? I know he loved his daughter to death, and it was wonderful seeing him grow with her in the hobby to expand his abilities center. He'll be missed.
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Post by aDave on Jul 1, 2019 20:36:44 GMT -5
Agree with parfive above. Pretty short and sweet answer.
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Post by aDave on Jun 28, 2019 11:31:45 GMT -5
If you want your photos from Flickr to show up in your posts, instead of a link, follow these directions which I've posted for others before. Photos instead of links are more appreciated. These are instructions for posting from a PC.
...with Flickr, you have the ability to copy and paste code that works in posting photos on this site.
Go to your photostream in Flickr and click on the photo you'd like to post here. When that photo loads as a single photo, you should see a series of symbols in the lower right corner of the screen. The curved arrow is what you are looking for.
Click on the curved arrow. After doing so, you should get a screen that says, "Share 1 photo to:". Select the BBCode tab. The code you see in the box is what you will copy and place in your post to show the photo. If you don't know, ctrl+c is copy, and ctrl+v is paste. After you've copied the BBCode, all you have to do is paste it directly in your post. Oh yeah, select "medium" as the size before you copy, as that attribute should be placed in the code you copy.
So with your OP (original post), simply go edit it by deleting your old photo links and pasting in the new ones from the BBCode generator. Again, just place it directly. You don't have to select "link" or "image" from the formatting menu. Hope this helps.
Good luck.
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Post by aDave on Jun 26, 2019 17:41:37 GMT -5
Thanks for the tour, Bill. It's getting to the point that your photo reports are pretty outstanding. Nicely done.
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Post by aDave on Jun 25, 2019 22:38:06 GMT -5
Can't say I've ever seen it before. It's a great piece.
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Post by aDave on Jun 25, 2019 22:37:08 GMT -5
Welcome. We have another teacher here from Michigan who is probably the best guy to help you. His name is Rob, and his user name is Jugglerguy. He also has a YouTube channel by the name of Michigan Rocks www.youtube.com/user/jugglerguy1. Enjoy.
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Post by aDave on Jun 25, 2019 22:33:45 GMT -5
What is it? It's gorgeous.
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Post by aDave on Jun 23, 2019 23:11:43 GMT -5
Thanks for posting. Most of us in the lower 48 have no idea about the culture way up north. I thought the photos were beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
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Post by aDave on Jun 23, 2019 8:32:37 GMT -5
Very nice. I think that knot turned out to be a winner.
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Post by aDave on Jun 21, 2019 21:59:46 GMT -5
Great stuff all the way around. I feel your pain with the pet wood. We've got tons of the stuff here that we picked up at Dobell's, but it's a tough tumble as you know. Well done on that piece.
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Post by aDave on Jun 21, 2019 20:36:51 GMT -5
I'm wondering if your "fossil" was coral. I've found that much of that stuff "tinks" like glass. Nice vid.
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