Thunderegg Cutting Jig

[1dave]

I couldn't find it in their catalog.

www.raytechgemprocessing.com/support/pdfs/downloads/RaytechCatalog.pdf

[Peruano]

The vice I'm describing was on a slab saw, of unknown vintage. Surely someone has such a saw in their experience.

[1dave]

Aug 5, 2016 21:34:26 GMT -5 Peruano said:

The vice I'm describing was on a slab saw, of unknown vintage. Surely someone has such a saw in their experience.

Something like this by jackangeline ?

[Peruano]

Its not specific to thundereggs but it sure looks like an improvement over the standard vertical or horizontal wooden jawed clamps that most vices employ. Here's a photo robbed from ebay. It looks to me as if the front jaw of the vice is tilted off of vertical so that it constrains the rock downward as well as anteriorly (there probably is another adjustment for the front rear position), but I've never operated such a vice. I just know that a real thunderegg collector who I met early in my formation had such a vice and used nothing else to do the deed. www.ebay.com/itm/Raytech-S-18A-18-lapidary-Rock-Saw-Excellent-Condition-plus-Extras/291832472464?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3De9bc55af0df448bcb014eeb3b1a27d4e%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D261597277038

[1dave]

Hmmmm - Still trying to get my mind around it. What does the front crank do?

[1dave]

While searching I came across this version:
picclick.com/Lapidary-Rock-Geode-Thunderegg-up-to-8-1-2-371701996077.html

[Peruano]

The front knob on the Raytech vice appears to be at such an angle that it will force the jaw down and back, hence holding the rock down as well as back. It still doesn't create a totally fool proof grasp of a round stone (especially if the center of the stone is still outside of the vice jaws, but it seem better than a totally vertical or horizontal arrangement. All I know is that it was deployed successfully by a guy who did nothing and apparently possessed nothing BUT thundereggs and geodes. An apparently narrow existence, but to each his own. Tom

[geostrong]

Hello, I am new to this forum and just saw this posting about jigs.  What really interested me was 1dave's pics of the Raytech slab saw.  I have one and am currently trying to get it running (electrical issues).
Anyhow, to answer 1dave's question:  the knob on the front of the Raytech slab saw is a locking mechanism for the crossfeed (handle on the mid-right side of the vice.)  In its closed position- down- the back portion of the vice is locked down; in its open position the vice can be moved laterally via the aforementioned crossfeed handle.

I know this is an old post but I hope this was helpful to 1dave or any others!

[Fossilman]

I use two soft fir (pine) 1x4's with my vise...Clamp in egg, tighten down till its solid.. Its drawn into the pine, can't move, can't slip...Never ever had one jump out of the vise.
Have cut hundreds of eggs this way..

[Gary P.]

[stephenwh]

V-Blocks are precision metalworking jigs typically used to hold round metal rods or pipes for performing drilling or milling operations. They consist of a rectangular steel or cast iron block with a 120 degree channel rotated 45-degrees from the sides, forming a V-shaped channel in the top.

[Tommy]

Jul 22, 2015 17:04:48 GMT -5 Fossilman said:

Here is my jig for cutting thundereggs-they are plentyful(because of my woodworking)..
Sometimes I need three pieces of wood,sometimes,just two....Works great! Have cut 100's of eggs this way,never once has one slipped off!!

Hi Fossilman I'm doing some restoration work on this valuable thread and I'm wondering if you still have the photo you posted here? You can email it to me if you have it and I can fix the link. If not that's OK too - maybe post a new picture at some point if you're still using the jig.

Thanks!

[Mel]

Jul 7, 2015 15:48:05 GMT -5 1dave said:

When I last (2004) visited the Geode Kid (RIP Robert Paul Colburn, 1936 - 6 Nov. 2013)
RTH
The Baker Egg Mine.
I got a copy of his first CD, then he sent me a copy of his revised edition. In one (both?) he mentioned his geode cutting jig as "two 2"X4's hinged like an alligator's jaws" that he dropped the positioned geodes into. The wedge kept them from moving, and one size fits all! Two second change out time! Take out the last, drop in the new, and away they go. He used the design in many saws for many years.
Unfortunately I never saw them.

Well, lo over a decade  later, I just finished designing my version that I will start building tomorrow - with modifications as I go.

What an simple yet brilliant and idiot proof solution. Sheesh. I've been using plaster of paris to embed random round cuts that I couldn't clamp but now I know better. Thanks for sharing 1dave, your posts always give me something to think about.

Geez, so simple.

[Mark K]

I just bought one of those spring loaded blue geode jigs from Ebay. As soon as it arrives, it is going to be worked like a rented mule.

[rockbrain]

1Mark K I'll be waiting to hear how it works out. I need to fab or buy something. Liked the saying to. It reminded me of my dad!

[RWA3006]

Aug 22, 2023 14:48:00 GMT -5 Mark K said:

I just bought one of those spring loaded blue geode jigs from Ebay. As soon as it arrives, it is going to be worked like a rented mule.

I'd like to see photos and get your opinion on how it does.

[RWA3006]

Here's what I use for much of my coprolite cutting on an 18" saw. It can't handle anything larger than a grapefruit and it's nice to have a variety of jigs on hand for everything.

[rockbrain]

Aug 22, 2023 15:11:30 GMT -5 RWA3006 said:

Here's what I use for much of my coprolite cutting on an 18" saw. It can't handle anything larger than a grapefruit and it's nice to have a variety of jigs on hand for everything.

That looks good but it's got poop on it!

[Mel]

RWA3006 don't suppose you make those to sell on the side? That looks extremely badass and effective.

[RWA3006]

Aug 23, 2023 12:31:57 GMT -5 Mel said:

RWA3006 don't suppose you make those to sell on the side? That looks extremely badass and effective.

I cobbled it up a few years back copying one I had seen somewhere. I ought to knock out a bunch to offer to RTH members but I'm so overwhelmed in my career that I don't have the time.

Maybe this winter I can make some.