kingson
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2023
Posts: 24
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Post by kingson on Dec 25, 2023 15:42:53 GMT -5
Greetings from the Denver metro area. Part of my lapidary hobby includes inlaying crushed minerals into ring blanks using CA glue then polishing on Cabking. I was wondering if there is a specific tool for crushing small amounts of material? Currently, I put material (cultured opal chips for example) on an anvil then surround the chips with a hollowed out plastic lid from an aerosol can before carefully crushing with a hammer. The process can be wasteful and awkward. I'm hoping there's a better way. Mortar and pestle perhaps? Thanks.
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,751
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Post by khara on Dec 25, 2023 16:12:35 GMT -5
Welcome! I don’t know of a better way but I would be interested in seeing some pictures of your work! It sounds really fun!👍👍
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Post by vegasjames on Dec 25, 2023 17:24:06 GMT -5
Welcome from Southern Nevada, and Merry Christmas.
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chris1956
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2022
Posts: 1,258
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Post by chris1956 on Dec 25, 2023 17:40:18 GMT -5
Welcome from Missouri.
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Post by Pat on Dec 25, 2023 17:54:52 GMT -5
Welcome from California. I don’t know. Merry Christmas!
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geoff59
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2022
Posts: 280
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Post by geoff59 on Dec 26, 2023 6:41:15 GMT -5
Welcome from New Hampshire!
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 26, 2023 22:31:49 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota! I don't have a better way in mind...
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kingson
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2023
Posts: 24
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Post by kingson on Dec 27, 2023 9:51:18 GMT -5
Welcome! I don’t know of a better way but I would be interested in seeing some pictures of your work! It sounds really fun!👍👍
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kingson
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2023
Posts: 24
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Post by kingson on Dec 27, 2023 9:54:30 GMT -5
Hi khara, here is a sample of the rings.
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 2,539
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Post by rockbrain on Dec 27, 2023 10:09:46 GMT -5
Your rings look great! I was looking at trying my hand at those. It looked like I would need some more equipment like a rotator. I opted to go a different way but I'm still intrigued by them. Are you having to turn them while they set up?
Oh yeah, and welcome from Central California!
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Post by liveoak on Dec 28, 2023 11:07:24 GMT -5
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 28, 2023 12:23:02 GMT -5
Welcome from Virginia.
There is a tool that is similar to or maybe the same as a glass cutter where you can score rocks and break them up easier. That might help.
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kingson
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2023
Posts: 24
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Post by kingson on Dec 29, 2023 8:35:59 GMT -5
Thank you, Patty. That first photo looks promising!
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kingson
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2023
Posts: 24
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Post by kingson on Dec 29, 2023 8:37:37 GMT -5
Welcome! I don’t know of a better way but I would be interested in seeing some pictures of your work! It sounds really fun!👍👍 Hi khara, I goofed up and posted a photo below without attaching it to a reply to you.
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,751
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Post by khara on Dec 31, 2023 2:39:21 GMT -5
I see it now. Thanks! Those are nice and look like a fun project! Are you using a different material as a filler between your crushed stones? Example, the bright blue and pinks. It reminds me of the retro tables made from thunderegg slabs and crushed pebbles in between with epoxy poured over the top. Some day I plan to try my own.
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kingson
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2023
Posts: 24
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Post by kingson on Jan 1, 2024 18:38:13 GMT -5
I see it now. Thanks! Those are nice and look like a fun project! Are you using a different material as a filler between your crushed stones? Example, the bright blue and pinks. It reminds me of the retro tables made from thunderegg slabs and crushed pebbles in between with epoxy poured over the top. Some day I plan to try my own. This group is all cultured opal, but I do experiment with crushing lapis and turquoise and lots of other stuff. Still discovering what works.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 1, 2024 22:41:45 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona!
Love the rings. My question is are you buying the stone chips and then just want to make them smaller or are you crushing the rocks into chips yourself?
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