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Post by fernwood on Apr 29, 2022 5:13:48 GMT -5
Please help. I have this jar of opals. The lid is rusted on. They have been in the jar since the 1970’s or 80’s. The jar was stored with other rocks/equipment in a damp basement for many years. Then a damp storage unit. I tried to get the lid off after I purchased them with no luck. Tried Naval Jelly Rust Dissolver, Iron Out, etc. Now I really need to get the lid off. Cannot see in photo, but there are a lot of tiny opal pieces with good flash. I want to put some of these in glass bottles for jewelry. Any ideas on what to do? If all else fails, I will break the jar and put everything in a new jar. Thanks.
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Post by vegasjames on Apr 29, 2022 7:08:34 GMT -5
Have you tried large pliers to twist the lid off? Or drill the cap or cut it off with a Dremel and diamond blade.
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phixer
having dreams about rocks
Member since January 2022
Posts: 69
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Post by phixer on Apr 29, 2022 7:25:40 GMT -5
Vinegar should help dissolve the rust. If you could soak the lid in vinegar for a while without it leaking inside that might do the trick.
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Post by fernwood on Apr 29, 2022 7:39:27 GMT -5
Thanks. Yes, used large vice grips to try to remove. Will try using vinegar.
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electrocutus
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2020
Posts: 331
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Post by electrocutus on Apr 29, 2022 8:15:10 GMT -5
If vinegar doesn't do the trick, try CLR
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CLErocks
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 342
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Post by CLErocks on Apr 29, 2022 10:34:23 GMT -5
Thanks for asking the question! I found this old jar under my house during construction, & can’t get the lid off. Gonna try these.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 29, 2022 11:07:47 GMT -5
CLR should work. Otherwise, poke a big hole in the cover and use tin snips to cut around the top.
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Post by stardiamond on Apr 29, 2022 12:43:32 GMT -5
Cut a hole in the lid and dump the contents of the jar into a new container. pickle
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 29, 2022 16:00:54 GMT -5
I know me- I would just break the jar. Seems like the best solution.
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victor1941
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2011
Posts: 1,959
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Post by victor1941 on Apr 29, 2022 16:11:13 GMT -5
Make a hole in the cap and peel the top off by using pliers. Just joking!
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Benathema
has rocks in the head
God chased me down and made sure I knew He was real June 20, 2022. I've been on a Divine Mission.
Member since November 2019
Posts: 703
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Post by Benathema on Apr 29, 2022 17:28:00 GMT -5
Put jar in cardboard box, cover with towel, kersmack! Careful with that 80s air that comes out, it's probably 20% hair spray.
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Post by amygdule on Apr 29, 2022 18:22:28 GMT -5
DON'T break the jar !!! You will end up with shards of glass in your opals.
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 29, 2022 18:45:09 GMT -5
Put jar in cardboard box, cover with towel, kersmack! Careful with that 80s air that comes out, it's probably 20% hair spray. I'm still laughing out loud on this one!! LOL
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 29, 2022 18:50:43 GMT -5
DON'T break the jar !!! You will end up with shards of glass in your opals. Rinse them off.
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Post by Son Of Beach on Apr 29, 2022 19:12:06 GMT -5
DON'T break the jar !!! You will end up with shards of glass in your opals. I sense a hint of sarcasm
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Post by fernwood on May 1, 2022 7:59:24 GMT -5
Put jar in cardboard box, cover with towel, kersmack! Careful with that 80s air that comes out, it's probably 20% hair spray. Love this. I used some hairspray in the 80's, but only what was called styling spray. I have an unheard of, tentative 3 days off work this week, Monday-Wednesday. Didn't request any time off, but the schedule says I am not working. So, plan on making the most of it. This could change, if someone calls in sick, so will see what happens. Will punch a hole in the lid. Not with my hand, lol, but with a metal punch. Will have jar secured in something, in case it breaks. Do not want to drill one, as that would result in metal dust/pieces in the jar. Then use some small metal sheers to cut the lid open. Dump everything in a new, small jar. Then dump contents in a plastic container with some paper towels in bottom. Remove everythhing from container. The tiny pieces will go in a super tiny container. Will use them for the bottle jewelry. The larger pieces will go in a new, 1/4 pint canning jar with a new lid. If these opals have been in water since the 1970's or 80's, I do not want to risk them drying out and cracking. I appreciate the comments of everyone here. If my day off work on Monday happens, I will post results of what I did.
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victor1941
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2011
Posts: 1,959
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Post by victor1941 on May 1, 2022 9:08:24 GMT -5
Fernwood, if you can do a video so we can share your experience.
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,125
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Post by RWA3006 on May 1, 2022 9:34:19 GMT -5
I would use a simple glass cutter with the little wheel to score a couple lines around the perimeter of the bottle then gently tap all along the trails.
After a few minutes of that I'd wrap the bottle in a rag and progressively tap it harder till it breaks. In theory the breaks will be a bit more controlled with hopefully fewer shards.
I've done this and it can work well.
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Post by greig on May 1, 2022 18:34:48 GMT -5
Put it on a fence post and shoot it. ;-)
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victor1941
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2011
Posts: 1,959
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Post by victor1941 on May 2, 2022 9:44:23 GMT -5
Cut the bottle with a trim saw.
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