spokanetim
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2009
Posts: 656
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Post by spokanetim on Feb 22, 2010 18:53:00 GMT -5
Here's a table I finished putting together today for rock carving. I've been trying to carve some jade and agates but it gets messy because spray is always flying up in my face, body, arms, wall, pets, etc etc. I tried to make this as functional as possible for the least amount of money possible. Total for all the parts it was about $70.00. The most expensive part was the $35 pre-made counter top. I could have built it myself but it wouldn't have looked as nice. What I did was take my kids old foosball table that they haven't touched in 3 years and tore out the inside table to use it's frame. Than I put on the new counter top and cut the hole for the concrete mixing tub. The acrylic is easy to bend into shape by carefully heating the places you want to bend with a butane torch. I then cut out part of the front of the acrylic with a wet tile saw so my hands could easily work inside and secured it with some small bolts. Than I cut out the drain hole, secured the drain with big rubber gaskets and connected the drain to a short pipe to the catch bucket. Inside the bucket is a small (probably to small) submersible water pump on top of a block (but still under water). It's on the block so the rock dust can settle to the bottom and not clog the pump. Than the small return tube pipes it back up to the bottom side of the top of the plexiglass where it pores back onto the stone as I grind. Now I just have so save up some $$ so I can buy a quality micro motor hand piece. If anyone happens to have any fire agates to practice on. . . . Picture of how my hands can work inside the tub while keeping me clean. Picture of the new and improved rock room ( the basement corner to hide me away from any visiting guests) Thanks for looking and would love any feedback if you have suggestions.
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Feb 22, 2010 18:57:16 GMT -5
I've never done any carving but it looks great. I would love to see some shots of how you do it.
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Post by Toad on Feb 22, 2010 19:17:02 GMT -5
Looks like you're all ready to go...
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Feb 22, 2010 20:04:31 GMT -5
Fantastic! I love projects that are low buck, but high bang!
Nate
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Post by Woodyrock on Feb 23, 2010 1:14:13 GMT -5
Tim: Great job! Looks really professional, and functional. Very good idea about raising the pump above the mud.As, an asides, the next time you need a short bit of countertop like this, try places like Habitat for Humanity. The big box store send all their returns to them where you can get a piece this size for $3 to $5. or $20.00 for a twelve footer. Woody
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abuelito
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2009
Posts: 156
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Post by abuelito on Feb 23, 2010 19:21:43 GMT -5
friend you have done a great design there,,,when i cut carved jade,i never had to use much water,used diamond tools also,my problem was seeing my work,so i didnt cut but seconds,with a wet tool or wet jade,you will have to keep your hands in a corner on your design,because the spray will,splatter on your plastic shield and obstuct your vision,,,i would dip my work in some water to view it,cut a few seconds and view,,,i never had trouble the tools getting to hot and loosing the diamond, biggest problem is seeing the work,,ok wow cutting real jade is a journey,,,happy carving ab,,,,,please understand i am not a critic on your table its a great design ab
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abuelito
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2009
Posts: 156
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Post by abuelito on Feb 23, 2010 19:26:48 GMT -5
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muleshoejoe
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2008
Posts: 16
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Post by muleshoejoe on Feb 23, 2010 23:26:44 GMT -5
Way to go! Like the "use what ya got" approach. Also, nice carving Abuelito. I have a question for all you carvers. What are the best diamond bits to use? I bought some cheap ones from Harbor Freight and they just don't cut it....Pun very much intended.... So I am trying to carve Montana agate and as you all know it is hard stuff and I would like to carve some but don't know which ones to use. There are a bunch out here and they all claim to be the best. Don't mean to hijack the thread here but I figured since the subject is at hand.
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spokanetim
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2009
Posts: 656
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Post by spokanetim on Feb 24, 2010 1:22:26 GMT -5
Thanks for the comments. Woody, you are right! I don't know why I forgot about our local Habitat for Humanity. Would have saved me $30 much need bucks for the expensive micro motor handpiece I want to buy. Here's what I'm saving for, www.harrisdiscount.com/products.php?section=1&catid=23&id=1301 or www.harrisdiscount.com/products.php?section=1&catid=23&id=885 . I'm hoping to buy it next month with the tax return. Abuelito, I want your advice, even constructive criticism as I can really use it. I agree that the hardest part is seeing what you are doing, its carving by feel half the time. I've been reading everything I can find on how to carve jade but it's a challenge to learn by myself, wish I could take some lessons from you. Great jade caving's to go along with your other work!! Last night and tonight I've put the table to use trying to make a second Maori fish hook. Last nights hook broke in half due to a fracture I thought I could work around :-( . So far the table's working at keeping the spray out of my face when using diamond cutting disks. I keep the pendant at a angle so the spray fly's away from my field of view. I also have a spray bottle of clean water to quickly rinse off the inside of the inside when it does get dirty. When I switch over to small burs I think I'll have to take the shield off to see better. I need the piece up to my nose to clearly see where I'm cutting in those tight places. Joe, I've been using the Harbor Freight dimond bur's too, you are right, they suck! Once I dump the Dremal and get the new hand tool I'm going to invest in better burs. Jade really eat's the Harbor Freight burs even more then agates do. I've read that Lasco Diamond Products has very high quality diamond burs at a reasonable price so I'll give them a try. Tim
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muleshoejoe
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2008
Posts: 16
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Post by muleshoejoe on Feb 24, 2010 23:49:41 GMT -5
Thanks for the info Tim. I will order a couple and see how they work out. MSJ
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Post by Woodyrock on Feb 25, 2010 1:52:58 GMT -5
Tim: Somewhere in this forum are patterns from an old New Zealand carver, some really good designs. Also, there is a jade carving book published in NZ that is very good for beginers to advanced carvers. Offhand, I can not remember the title, but a web search should find it. There are also some pretty good NZ websites on carving. Woody
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Post by roswelljero on Feb 25, 2010 14:18:52 GMT -5
Looks cool! Could you rig a continous spray of water aimed at the underside of the plexiglass to keep it clean?
Later, jeri
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Post by fishenman on Feb 27, 2010 1:37:55 GMT -5
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 28, 2010 1:29:19 GMT -5
Tim: Great job! Looks really professional, and functional. Very good idea about raising the pump above the mud.As, an asides, the next time you need a short bit of countertop like this, try places like Habitat for Humanity. The big box store send all their returns to them where you can get a piece this size for $3 to $5. or $20.00 for a twelve footer. Woody In Portland they have the Rebuilding Center as well, you can get a complete counter top with cabinet and sink intact for about 20 if it's not pretty, then just take the doors and base off and drain the sink into your bucket. Lee
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