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Techniques for CollectorsMineral trimming tips?
26th Feb 2008 03:41 UTCMichael Roarke Expert
27th Feb 2008 01:02 UTCThomas Henderson
27th Feb 2008 04:10 UTCMichael Roarke Expert
Most of the specimens I would trim are already cabinet size or smaller, and a log splitter would presumably be for larger specimens.
I expect that there will be hesitation on the part of most to give advice in this area, and I know there is risk (certainty?!) of specimen breakage, but I would like to know more about what "not to do" based on members' misadventures, and get some general info on equipment one would use.
Mike
27th Feb 2008 05:21 UTCTom Trebisky
"Wydar" trimmers. I have one right here, and I can tell you
that it is all but worthless, even on the smallest pieces.
It did handle the chalky soft rhyolite tuff from Utah that
has the holfertite and topaz in it just fine though.
27th Feb 2008 05:27 UTCSteve Hardinger 🌟 Expert
27th Feb 2008 16:49 UTCThomas Henderson
27th Feb 2008 18:35 UTCSteve Hardinger 🌟 Expert
27th Feb 2008 19:12 UTCTom Mortimer Expert
27th Feb 2008 19:18 UTCSteve Hardinger 🌟 Expert
28th Feb 2008 17:53 UTCDon Saathoff Expert
Don S.
6th Mar 2008 16:42 UTCDonald Peck
13th Mar 2008 17:31 UTCDon Saathoff Expert
Don S.
21st Mar 2008 16:56 UTCDonald Peck
Don P.
25th Apr 2008 04:23 UTCmike sanders
So go ahead all you bargain hunters, buy that el cheapo zuber chinese knockoff, save a few bucks, but you'll really pay in terms of $$, and major frustration. You know the excellent quality zuber is a rip off and there is something better for cheaper from Harbor Freight, so go for it. If you are serious about prepping specimens, youll be sorry, trust me.
Mike Sanders
Albuquerque, NM
5th May 2008 03:08 UTCMark & Linda Mahlum
Mark Mahlum
13th May 2008 00:31 UTCMike Sanders
Mike Sanders
13th May 2008 20:06 UTCAnonymous User
Here are some tips from my experience.
1-Examine the specimen several hours/days or even weeks/months before trimming.
2-Make a diagnosis of all mineral species present.
3-Plan your work.Write down a project.Describe mechanical and chemical work.
4-Use a small drill (one of those used by dentists,i know they are expensive,but...) and remove small parts.This lowers the possibility your specimen gets trash.
5-Make sure you keep clean the specimen and the desk you work on, while you work.Dust hides details that are important.Be sure to be able to see what you're doin'.
6-Better remove slowly a crystal by polishing than violently drawing to remove it from matrix/cluster.
7-Do not harry.Better slowly and safe.
8-Practice on cheap samples of the same or similar material.
9-If the piece is too expensive, let the professionals do it.There are labs that trim mineral specimens against money.
10-Don't touch a piece that you couldn't live without.
Hope I helped.
-Kostas.
25th May 2008 03:14 UTCEd Godsey
25th May 2008 05:06 UTCDonald Vaughn
a four or so inch pink tremolite crystal in fowler new york if I had waited I would have either left it as is or at least done it gingerly almost cried
25th May 2008 07:15 UTCChris Wright
25th May 2008 14:26 UTCDavid K. Joyce Expert
My secret weapon, though, is a non-hydraulic that can handle very large pieces of rock. I have not met a rock matrix yet that it cannot split. PLUS it can handle pieces of rock 18" across and 7" thick! Look at the blades on this thing in the attached image!! It is made in Italy by a company called Monolit but I got mine from a distributor in Toronto. You can often rent them at rental outles that cater to contractors. It is known as a "block cutter" workes soley on leverage and is intended for use by building contractors. It is very heavy and not intended to be very portable, in the context of mineral collecting. It stays at home for the bigger splits. It is incredibly accurate, due to the wide blades.
David K. Joyce
26th Aug 2016 02:00 UTCLokoman
Or to bleed the air out, I tried the centre bolt and the one on the side......could you or any get us going. I emailed the Zuber Co. ..but get totally ignored. Thanks heaps.
Lokoman.
26th Aug 2016 03:09 UTCWayne Corwin
20th Sep 2016 23:40 UTCDaryl Keller
21st Sep 2016 00:53 UTCGary Moldovany
21st Sep 2016 01:57 UTCBob Harman
In Brazil, or wherever, they probably have a similar problem with some of the material, but that is largely discarded as waste and you only see the pieces that trimmed up well.
What GARY M has suggested will be of some help, but I suspect you will still have considerable wastage. CHEERS.....BOB
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Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: May 9, 2024 05:08:50