jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,175
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Post by jamesp on Oct 24, 2012 22:17:27 GMT -5
When pebbles or agates have an external rind of weathered material or chert/lime coating a hammer must be used to look inside the rock.This 4 inch dry 100 grit diamond wheel is turned by a high torque motorcycle starter motor to remove material quickly.Will grind thru hard agate.Lasts a long time.Available at Home Depot.Have been using one for years to make a flat spot on the bottom of specimen rocks to provide a place to glue them to a base.It is a 50 grit;and is also used to coarse shape tumbling materials.Just push the switch for a second and heavy wheel will remove a good window,then wet.Wheel is heavy so pushing the rock against it will bring it to a stop and do major removal. Attachments:
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Oct 24, 2012 23:35:04 GMT -5
well, that's different and I can see the attraction to it in the field. It has a moderate transportability to it and except for the weight would be an easy item to keep in the truck for those sudden urges to rock hound, but ''i wonder if it's possible to do the same thing with a smaller battery, say a lantern battery and motor, sanding disk, etc...
hmmmm... research time!!!!!
I like the idea, now to see how hard it is to improve upon to a flashlight size grinder that you can keep in your pocket and would last maybe 10-15 hours on a charge.
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hubrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2011
Posts: 1,563
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Post by hubrocks on Oct 25, 2012 0:19:36 GMT -5
That's a cool idea!!
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 25, 2012 7:05:47 GMT -5
Except for the weight, it's a cool idea. A Native American friend who's no longer with us used to carry one of the battery powered Dremmels with him in the field, which had a small diamond grinding wheel. Since most of his collecting was done around streams he had water to grind in. Any suspect rock had a small window ground in it. Over the years it saved him many hauling home many pounds of leaverites.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,175
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Post by jamesp on Oct 25, 2012 7:19:21 GMT -5
A gravel pit Attachments:
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,175
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Post by jamesp on Oct 25, 2012 7:21:05 GMT -5
Close up of agate rich Rio Grande gravel Attachments:
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,175
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Post by jamesp on Oct 25, 2012 7:22:34 GMT -5
Found in 5 minutes Attachments:
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 25, 2012 10:45:00 GMT -5
I don't think it will replace a rock hammer. I use the chisel edge hammers. You can chip a rock, dig through shale, and mark your spot while hauling rocks back to vehicle. I've even driven tent stakes in a pinch. Out here most collecting is done on BLM public land. No motorized equipment allowed.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Oct 25, 2012 14:13:24 GMT -5
I think it's a great idea! I've seen too many rocks that were given a slight tap with a hammer, and while it provided a window, it also fractured the rock. I guess it's a matter of procedure and practice to avoid this.
I wonder what the BLM definition of "motorized" equipment is?? A motor using gasoline or AC, which would require a generator (also takes gasoline). I don't know that something battery operated fits the bill. Would a flashlight then be motorized? How about the "Desert Fox" for gold panning, which uses a sealed 12 volt battery? A friend of mine uses a 24 volt self-contained drill motor (think something like a Makita) for drilling holes to break up big rocks on his claim with no issues. What if I had a big air tank full of compressed air, and used a pneumatic tool, such as an air hammer or chisel? 'Course, the air wouldn't last very long, but what if?
Actually, I wonder if THEY even know what the definition is. Just wondering... Jean
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 25, 2012 14:31:30 GMT -5
Not to mention the truck i drive out there with...
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,175
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Post by jamesp on Oct 25, 2012 14:50:41 GMT -5
The agates get a heavy patina by the time they wash down to south Texas.Some of the prettiest are smallish less than 2 inches making hammer blows a bit tricky.That baking sun may have an effect on making a patina too.The natural gravel bars on top of the hills are several feet deep pure gravel.I just sit and grind-probaly boring to some but i get fired up looking inside of those stones.And i have landowner permission...
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Oct 25, 2012 21:10:14 GMT -5
Slick idea, especially when working an area where a lot of the rocks have a rind on them. I interpret BLM's "no motorized equipment" as being used for extraction purposes, post extraction is open season; several friends agree.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,175
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Post by jamesp on Oct 25, 2012 22:10:56 GMT -5
I am from Georgia and remain puzzled about how strict the rules are on rock collecting out west.I was in Brewster County Texas and the sheriff stopped and told me to stop collecting on the road easement.It freaked me out.And made me angry.Picky Picky and loosen up.
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bentiron
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since September 2011
Posts: 85
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Post by bentiron on Nov 2, 2012 13:53:28 GMT -5
I live in AZ and have been told by local law enforcement not to collect on right of ways as it is a safety hazard and I would be ticketed for obstructing traffic. They don't care about the rocks at all just public safety. I'd love to be able to dig through your piles of gravel, looks like fun!!
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hand2mouthmining
spending too much on rocks
Purveyors of California Gem Rock
Member since September 2011
Posts: 495
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Post by hand2mouthmining on Nov 5, 2012 1:23:04 GMT -5
Out here in Central California, the Sheriffs are generally friendly, as long as you're not collecting right on a highway. Country road right of ways are okay, they just stop to see what you're doing. Along the canals, you may have a Canal District employee make sure you're not a vandal, or disturbing the canal or crops. No sweat, as long as the waterway isn't posted or fenced. At Davis Creek, Modoc Natl. Forest, the official limit (without a special permit) is hand powered tools. Interestingly enough, this allows hydraulic "Jaws of Life" or auto body type tools, as long as they're muscle powered. BLM limits are usually set at District level. We do no commercial collecting on BLM lands, but can verify that claim holders are generally allowed to use hand power tools, as long as their disturbances don't reach the level that would require a reclamation plan. The best thing to do Re: BLM lands is to call the District Office and ask about any restrictions for the area you intend to collect. Be sure to get the name of the employee you get info from, and don't accept "I dunno" for an answer. Ask to talk to a Supervisor if you need. Remember, BLM maintains websites for all of their Districts, and if you can't find the info you want there, you'll find names, phone numbers and email addresses. Be proactive, since the Dept. of Interior is aggressively restructuring collecting access these days. James, your grinder is definitely "post extraction" and should pose no problems. I'm enjoying your cool home built equipment! Simple is best! Kris
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,175
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Post by jamesp on Nov 5, 2012 8:00:37 GMT -5
Thanks for the information folks.I got the feeling that if i was the big ranch owner's cousin the sheriff would have never said a word.I will never return to west Texas.The ranchers own the roads,sheriff and all the land.And the only rockhounding is paying someone to take you.I resent the arrangement and feel that the ranchers would prefer rockhounds stay far away.This is our country and we deserve public lands at a comfortable distance and rights to remove at least a controlled amount.A 6 rock limit in Big Bend for example.Making money off government lands is a tricky subject and warrants a lot of attention.It creates a controversy.Just let me pick up rocks and put them in my bag.
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