heathenistic
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2017
Posts: 1 
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Post by heathenistic on Feb 10, 2017 6:40:37 GMT -5
I have an order of Snowflake Obsidian that just came in for carving Elder Futhark Rune-Stones. I have never used semi-precious gems (tumbled and polished, or otherwise), and was curious as to whether I could get some pointers on how to most effectively carve these. I have a Dremel 4000, as well as Carbide and Diamond bits. I need to get these done quickly, as they are custom-ordered, and was also wondering the most effective way to keep the stones wet without owning a special machine for it or putting myself at risk of electrocution. I am honestly less worried about slicing my hands to ribbons than I am using a dremel and water... Thanks in advance for any help and guidance!  |
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Post by Garage Rocker on Feb 10, 2017 7:55:02 GMT -5
I have an order of Snowflake Obsidian that just came in for carving Elder Futhark Rune-Stones. I have never used semi-precious gems (tumbled and polished, or otherwise), and was curious as to whether I could get some pointers on how to most effectively carve these. I have a Dremel 4000, as well as Carbide and Diamond bits. I need to get these done quickly, as they are custom-ordered, and was also wondering the most effective way to keep the stones wet without owning a special machine for it or putting myself at risk of electrocution. I am honestly less worried about slicing my hands to ribbons than I am using a dremel and water... Thanks in advance for any help and guidance! Here's what a lot of us use around, or actually in, water. www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0000302Y8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486731180&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=dremel+extension+shaft&dpPl=1&dpID=41EwdQ4z0rL&ref=plSrch |
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Post by orrum on Feb 10, 2017 9:25:09 GMT -5
Dust my friend dust! Wear protection, obsidian makes more dust than you can believe. Good carving to you!!!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2017 23:01:25 GMT -5
 You knew that was coming right? |
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Post by Garage Rocker on Feb 10, 2017 23:08:53 GMT -5
You knew that was coming right? Yeah, love it. I don't know how he found the thread, but it was a valid question. |
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 14, 2017 10:42:22 GMT -5
I work with Obsidian a lot,just watch how you pick it up and wear a mask,that stuff will harm your lungs!!!!
I'm liking that some of these old posts are being picked back up!
Always wondered where the people took off too,that aren't on the forum anymore...
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osuguy0301
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 203
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Post by osuguy0301 on Feb 17, 2017 6:40:44 GMT -5
Kinda glad this thread popped up to. I got a couple chunks of obsidian in my rock pile and wanted to do something with it. I figured taking a hammer to it was not the best idea. Supposed to be in the 60's this weekend so I think I will get the saw out and cut some pieces off of it. Might get a barrel going of obsidian and slag glass this weekend just to try something different.
Jake
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 17, 2017 11:04:14 GMT -5
I really pick and choose what I want tumbled and what I want slabbed! I have cabs of Obsidian and points made from it,plus some tumbles-you get the best of all three worlds from this material!!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 17, 2017 11:18:10 GMT -5
When I broke up my obsidian, I used a big rock to get it into larger pieces (the rock in the picture fits nicely in my hand). I was then able to use a hammer and chisel to chunk those into tumble size pieces. I did this with full protection - face shield, jeans, boots, long sleeves, work gloves. I also cut some pieces on my tile saw, but I didn't like how "square" they were when finished.   Beautiful shine!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I get to the last stage on my Obsidian and it just won't put a polish on it! That is with my rotary.....My friends told me to buy a vibe,it will put the polish on Obsidian,where rotary won't... So is this a true story or what!!! |
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Post by Garage Rocker on Feb 17, 2017 11:21:04 GMT -5
When I broke up my obsidian, I used a big rock to get it into larger pieces (the rock in the picture fits nicely in my hand). I was then able to use a hammer and chisel to chunk those into tumble size pieces. I did this with full protection - face shield, jeans, boots, long sleeves, work gloves. I also cut some pieces on my tile saw, but I didn't like how "square" they were when finished. I love the look of that mahogany obsidian. I have a couple chunks I might have to break up after seeing your pics again. Tumbler space is the problem. Time for another QT66? |
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Feb 17, 2017 11:26:51 GMT -5
Fossilman, yes, you need a vibe. I ran my obsidian in my QT66 with 46/70. It was the only thing in the barrel and I kept it kind of full. Kept adding new chunks each week as things got pulled. Then it went to the vibe for the "standard" 2 days in 120/220 SiC, 500 AO, 1000 AO and polish with lots of ceramics. I still have about 20% of the stuff that goes into the vibe get chipped. It gets thrown back in the rotary barrel to smooth out again. PITA, but I love the way it looks!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2017 13:19:58 GMT -5
This image deceived me. The lighting makes it look like the rocks are in a thin layer of water. And that means, you got a superb polish!! Wow!! |
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geezer
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2016
Posts: 338
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Post by geezer on Feb 21, 2017 12:43:32 GMT -5
Greetings all!
Made a trip last Saturday to a rock shop that looks like it fell out of a black hole from 1970. I've been buying stuff here for the past year, and getting a lot of good stuff! He has a bunch of plastic 55-gallon barrels outside his shop with larger pieces of rough for sale. Found a lot of gold sheen and rainbow in a couple of the barrels. One barrel was filled with mahogany, and I needed to pick up a piece for a friend for knapping. While checking the mahogany out, I saw areas of what looked like a red sheen. I'm not familiar with mahogany having this, and was wondering if this is uncommon.
Any ideas?
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Post by rocklicker on Sept 11, 2017 22:43:29 GMT -5
I work with Obsidian a lot,just watch how you pick it up and wear a mask,that stuff will harm your lungs!!!! I'm liking that some of these old posts are being picked back up! Always wondered where the people took off too,that aren't on the forum anymore... I'm still lurking around. All the rock equipment is stuffed back in the garage until my kiddo is big enough not to get hurt. Nice to see the board is still rockin. |
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718
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Post by Fossilman on Sept 17, 2017 9:28:45 GMT -5
Headed out in a few days to hound some more Obsidian,in the Glass Buttes area.. Got permission from one of the claim owners to come dig....
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