How Do I Polish My Petrified Wood Rounds?

We have about 12 pieces of petrified wood that are 3" thick and up to 11" around that we want to polish. What type of equipment would we need to do this job? We don't want to spend too much for a one time project. We just want to polish the pieces we have to give as gifts.

Thanks for any advice or help.

Bobbie

Hi Bobbie,

Lapidary work (cutting and polishing rock) requires some specialized equipment. Petrified wood is essentially agate. Agate is a hard material that requires silicon carbide or diamond abrasives to cut and polish. I’ve listed some options for you below. Another approach may be to take your pieces to your local rock shop and have them cut and polish for you. That would save the investment in the equipment. I hope this helps!

There are three ways to polish your petrified wood:

Cut a face, and then flat-lap. For an 11” diameter you’d probably need a 24” saw. That would be a tight fit, since you have to subtract the arbor diameter from the blade size and then divide in two for the size of rock you can actually cut with the saw. Peculiarities of the rock can also affect how well it will fit in the vice (bumps, jags, etc.).

Here is a link to saws: http://shop.rocks4u.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=29

Here is a link to flat or vibra-laps: http://shop.rocks4u.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=41

Break up the wood and then tumble it, although that seems like a shame for such nice size pieces.

Here is a link to rock hammers: http://shop.rocks4u.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=6

Here is a link to rock tumblers: http://shop.rocks4u.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=81

Hand polish using a grinding/polishing combination unit. The belt sander might be the best tool for this size stone.

Here is a link to grinders & polishers: http://shop.rocks4u.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=52

Sincerely,
Anita
Rockpick Legend Co.
www.rocks4u.com

How Do I Get Small Fossils for a School Project?

My son is taking a class in earth science and geology this year. We are trying to obtain specimens of different samples to put together for his class. We have a very limited budget. I have no idea what a small fossil might be worth. I realize there are different types of fossils. My question, if possible, is if it is possible to get a small fossil that might be of little or no value for this project.

If you can help or lead me in the right direction I would very much appreciate it.

Thank You

George

Hi George,
Thank you for your inquiry. We have small fossil samples for just this purpose. Our small sample fossils include shells and crinoids. Brachiopods are small clam shells fossilized 300 million years ago. Crinoids were a plant that looked like today’s sea-lilies. These are the fossilized stems from about 30 million years ago.

So that school children can afford to own and experience fossils, we offer these fossil specimens at $1 each.

Since they are not currently on our website, you can call to place an order. The number is 1-888-Rock-Shop. We ship Fed-Ex ground.

I hope that helps!

Anita
Rockpick Legend Co.
www.rocks4u.com

How to Recycle The Cutting Oil in Your Rock Saw

Cutting oil, regardless of which kind you use can be recycled to save money and the environment. We recommend using either Lortone’s Premium Cutting Oil or Covington’s Rockhound Oil in any saw.

To recycle the oil this is what we do:

1. Use a clean, dry 5 gallon bucket. Place a block of wood or brick in the bottom of the bucket. If you use a block of wood it needs to be the size of a brick. The less porous the material you put in the bottom, the more oil you will recover.

2. Now take a plant container like the ones bushes or trees come in and place that in the bucket so it sits on the block. We drill extra holes in it so the oil drains through faster. Small holes don’t work as well. I like 1” holes.

3. Place a paper grocery bag in the plant container.

4. You are ready to pour in the used oil, mud and all. We drain our saw right into the paper bag.

5. Let it stand for 24 to 48 hours. We often let it stand for a week in the heat of summer to recover even more. After a week you get virtually nothing else from the mud. You can reclaim as much as 50% of your oil this way.

Happy Cutting--Rockpick Legend Co.