[Rockhounds] Information Please

[Kreigh Tomaszewski]

Betty & Robert,

My first advice is to find a rock club near you where you can talk to
someone experienced in lapidary. In person training is the best way to
learn how to use lapidary equipment. AFMS has a list of US clubs on
their website at
        http://www.amfed.org
and CCFMS has a list of North American clubs with websites at
        http://www.ccfms.ca/Online_Resources/other_clubs.htm
You should be able to find a Club near you on one of these websites.

Kitty litter is often used to soak up saw oil from slabs. Don't know why
you might have a bunch of pumice.

I have some information on making sphere machines on my website at
	http://Tomaszewski.net/Kreigh/Minerals/Homemade.shtml
that may be of use to you. I only present a basic two head unit (most
commercial units have three, and all rotate), but it might help you
understand how any sphere cutter works.

The newsletter archive at
	http://www.SpheresToYou.com
has some articles on making spheres using commercial units. I am sure a
google search would turn up more how-to info. If there is a book on
sphere cutting, I have never seen it. 

BTW, I learned sphere cutting (hands on, with an experienced lapidary at
my side) at a local rock club early in my rockhounding years; a few
years ago my current club did a program on sphere cutting, including a
live demo (with samples of different spheres {at each stage} to fit it
into an hour).

The classic procedure for making a sphere is to start with a cube. Trim
off all the corners to approximate a sphere. Rough grind the edges and
corners between faces to come closer. Put it in the sphere machine,
start the heads rotating; and supply appropriate grit, and water. Work
thru the grits, from coarse to fine, and then polish (probably with
different heads). Having multiple (rotating) heads causes the rock to
rotate randomly; high areas on the rock get heavier grinding to bring it
to a sphere. Learn patience; pay attention.

Making a sphere is a joy; making a great sphere is an art.

Hope this has helped.

Kreigh







B & B wrote:
> 
> Hello Everyone:
> If someone could give me some information it would be very help full.
> I wrote a few weeks ago that I inherited some machines. I also received a box of surprised items. Some of the things I know what they are but there a approx 5 bags of what i think they called it was pumice. It almost looks like kitty litter. I am not sure if this is something for a tumbler or is it for when you cut a piece of rock you drop it in there to absorb the oil. Any information would help thanks
> Also does anybody have information on sphere machines. Does anybody know if there is a book out there. I received a small machine but no instructions thank you Betty & Robert