How to Make Stone Crosses
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- Опубликовано: 5 дек 2019
- Learn how to make tumbled stone crosses.
Olivet Book and Gift: olivetbookandgift.com
Worried about my fingers? I've got a video for that: • You'll Cut Your Finger...
Here are the tumbling steps:
2 tablespoons 220 grit (or 120/220) silicon carbide: 2 days
1/2 teaspoons 500 grit aluminum oxide and 1 tablespoon borax: 3 days
1/2 teaspoon aluminum oxide polish and 1 tablespoon borax: 2 days
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/ michiganrocksrob
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- KINGSLEY NORTH -
Kingsley North is a lapidary store in Michigan's U.P. They make a great cab machine and sell many other brands too. They have a huge selection rough rock, tumblers, grit, jewelry supplies etc. at good prices. I buy most of my coarse grit from here in 45 lb. bags. It's the best price I have found. If you buy using the following link, I make a small commission.
bit.ly/3MerxdI
This is the cabbing machine I use:
kingsleynorth.com/kingsley-no...
- THE ROCK SHED -
I buy a lot of lapidary supplies from The Rock Shed. I don't make money from your purchases there, but they have good prices and good service. This is where I buy my finer grits and polish.
rockshed.com
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I'm 79 yrs. old and always been fascinated by polished rocks. Thank you for presenting us with these tutorials
You're welcome, Elvin!
It's an honour to learn from you, and to hear what you do with the finished crosses, it restores my faith in humanity.
There are lots of good people out there, I'm trying to be one of them.
Fantastic gifts! If that doesn't put the Christ in Christmas, what does? That Unakite blew me away. Seasonal colors too. As always, great job and Merry Christmas to you.
I watched this video and was admiring your passion and skill at lapidary art, then I got to the end and I had tears in my eyes! Thank you for doing this-I can guarantee that you have made an impact on many people’s lives. I hope you and your family have a blessed Christmas 😊
Gee, I didn't think I'd cause tears.
Wow, those came out great. Awesome colors. Didnt realize how much work went into it. Really great job. Was fun to watch. Great video
Crosses are some of the easiest things I make. Once you get used to making them, they're pretty easy to do.
Beautiful just beautiful. Love them. I thought how soothing to have one in your pocket. Good man.👍
What a wonderful thing to do with the rocks you acquire. The love put into each cross increases as it is passed along. Beautiful. Thank you also for demonstrating the vibratory tumbler. I noticed that you didn't add water except for a few squirts in the beginning, and that you're able to entirely fill the tumbler. Time for me to research vibratory tumblers! I'm a new rockhound and only have experience with a rotary tumbler and a tile saw. Ah, the endless possibilities of the hobby! Great video!
With a vibratory tumbler, you just want the rocks wet, no standing water. I open the barrel two or three times a day and add a few squirts of water if they're drying out. The 220 stage has to be watched the most carefully. There is more rock being removed and the rock dust dries the slurry out. I really like my Lot-O tumbler. I highly recommend getting one. Vibes use way less grit and finish rocks really fast. Most of my rocks spend a lot of time in rotary barrels for the first stage before going to the Lot-O, but the crosses go straight in.
@@MichiganRocks Great tip! Thank you! I'm going to look into that.
Thanks for sharing why and how you distribute your creativity.
Sharing your gifts is amazing and generous. Wishing you many blessings.
I watched this video last night and was happy to hear I could get some of these locally. I went to Alpena today and picked up a couple of these beautiful crosses at Olivet Book and Gifts. Thanks Rob. I'll be buying more, hope they don't run out before Christmas. I'm a nurse working at Compassionate Care in Alpena and I'm thinking of including these in a Christmas card for my wonderful clients.
I have some on hand here that I just took out of the tumbler. Mary always calls when she’s getting low. I should probably get a few more cut out. Thanks for the purchase!
those are beautiful! thank you for sharing
I appreciate your videos and have probably learned more from you about lapidary work than from anywhere else. You do beautiful work. I was hand polishing a few stones and now have a trim saw and tumbler. Next is probably a cab / polisher to improve and speed up my hand work. I am close to retiring and want to do more of this as I have time. Thank you for sharing your talent. God Bless and Merry Christmas!
I apologize for the money I have cost you. Have you been to forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/page/rocktumblinghobby? That's where I learned almost everything I know. There are people there who are much more knowledgable than I am and are also very helpful. Merry Christmas!
Thank you for sharing, and for giving to those who need to know where their help truly comes from! Love your channel!
Thanks for watching!
Such a beautiful project, bless you.
Thanks for sharing your work and faith!
What a great use of the rock and your time. great job.
So kind of you to give away the beautiful crosses!
Thanks, that was great. I love that you give them a way to your brothers.
WOW, l am imprese what you do for the church. GOD BLESS you and your family
So cool, those are beautiful
This is a great video. I want to make crosses and discovered your video immediately. Covers all of my questions. I'm very impressed with what you do with the finished crosses. I'm going to make some necklaces for our annual church holiday boutique to sell. Proceeds go to local charities to help the poor. I like the idea of giving them out to carry during Lent. I may make some for our pastor to pass out to those having life problems. Great idea. I'll be making some for family and friends to carry during Lent also.
I have four in my pocket right now! I'm on vacation, but haven't found the right person to give any to quiet yet.
Nice setup, beautiful work- Lovely that you give them away. The energy and intention that you put into them travels to those in need, and gives them a reminder in stone that God is always there.
I love it! Nice.
❤that looks relaxing ❤
Nossa!!!! Super video. 👏👏👏 adorei.
Thank you. Love your videos. Very well done and loads of information
You're welcome!
Great gifts 🎁
Amen! Thanks for sharing.
What a lovely gift and how you share them.
I like making these and sharing them. I also sell some, so they're not all given away.
FANTASTIC! You got big bucks sunk into your beautiful craft!! I want to be a fly on the wall!! Beautiful stuff...just beautiful! Thanks...
I don't really have that much money into it. Most of my stuff is used, so it's not as expensive as you might think. Plus I sell a few things locally that helps me cover my costs.
@@MichiganRocks Awesome! Good for you~! Shared this w/my nephew, who does an annual fishing contest w/Brad....
Very nice. I appreciate the tip with the ramp for the saw
Yep, the ramp is very important for most saws.
Beautiful wow!
That is certainly a blessing to others.
Love your crosses! It's nice what you do with them too.
Very interesting the way you explain to us about the security and the way how to cut the stone keep it up.
It's nice if you can avoid the mistakes I made. That's the point of an instructional video I guess.
How wonderful. Amen
Very nice !! 😀
Love this! My goal is to make my own Rosary and will definitely need a cross ❤️
I'd like to do that too. If you figure out a good way to make decent beads, let me know.
God bless you ... for the tutorials and your good deeds
Thanks!
Great video is the one about the puddingstone coming that new way to tumble pudding Stone really looking forward to that one
Yes. That was supposed to be out today, but something came up and I didn't get it finished. The rocks will be out tomorrow and I'll definitely have a video posted next Friday. Sorry to make you wait. Several people have asked about that one.
@@MichiganRocks very cool. love your videos
Loved your video Awsome U are great
Absolutely love this video
I'm looking to buy that vibration tumbler. I'm having difficulty finding one.
I've also heard there is a dual barrel as well... would you have any information?
I buy all of my tumblers from The Rock Shed. They almost always have the best prices. Everyone seems to be out of tumblers right now because of COVID. I would not suggest getting a double Lot-O. I have a lot of rotary tumblers running rocks in the first stage. Even with many barrels running, I can’t keep one Lot-O barrel fed. You have to have both barrels full, so I would not want more volume to keep fed. rockshed.com
@@MichiganRocks thanks for being helpful
So glad we don't have to worry about your fingers lol! I watched the turtle video and flinched a lot lol.
I just finished up a video about saws and fingers so I don't have to explain that every time and so people don't have to worry. I have a few videos made ahead, so I'm not sure when it will be released.
I look forward to viewing it when it is complete.
I am in awe! Would like to learn and produce beautiful items like you. Now I'm looking forward to retirement!
I made this video before I retired. No need to wait, get started now.
I found a great deal on a used model "J" although the arbor is below the cutting edge. I'm so glad I dug deep and found this video. I knew you explained this
The little ramp works well. I did all my cutting like that before I got this saw.
@@MichiganRocks I found it on Craigslist its been up for sale a while I hope they contact me back the seller lives just outside of Ann Arbor. I am sure they will not have a problem meeting at Zeeb and I-94. That way I can eat at Metzgers german restaurant a win win. You gotta know the place right?
@@ICEPICK7882 Nope, I haven't been there. I lived in Ann Arbor for four years of school, but I ate in the cafeteria, Taco Bell, or somewhere else within walking distance and cheap. The rest of my life I have lived in or near Alpena. When I travel, I prefer to go north.
This guy’s channel is fantastic, 🏴
Gee, thanks.
Great video. I learned a lot just by watching. Got my Lot O Tumbler and just picked up a used MK Diamond Tile Saw last night. Got a feeling I am going to have to wait to January to use them. Can't wait.
Make sure you mount that Lot-O to a concrete block. I filled my block's holes with concrete too. I hear that the newer ones don't have a deep hole in the bottom. Mine did have a hole that trapped pieces of ceramic. It was a pain to dig them out every time. I filled the hole with epoxy and it has lasted for years. No more digging out stuck ceramics.
If you haven't watched my crazy lace agate video, I recommend it for learning to use your Lot-O. If you follow my basic recipe, it's hard to mess it up.
Beautiful work, both with the stones and reaching out to your friends and neighbors. Two things I have got to do now, buy a vibratory tumbler and go to Michigan and find some of those rocks!
This will work fine with other kinds of rocks too, but Michigan is a beautiful state to visit. There's a link in the description for The Rock Shed if you decide to buy a vibratory tumbler. They usually have the best prices. I really like my Lot-O.
Beautiful! I wish I had some of the great lapidary equipment you have... maybe some day.
CplSki USMC most everything I have, except for my tumblers, was purchased used. I have some money invested, but I bought stuff gradually over several years. The saw in this video was given to me and it cost me about $150 to fix it up. I think I paid about $300 for the saw with the ramp. Not super cheap, but not nearly the price of new saws. The old ones were well built too.
is it possible to make a cross if I only have a dremel?
@@olemorningstar3107 I have a Dremel and a couple of diamond bits, but it would be time consuming and tedious trying to do something like that and I don't think the end product would be what you were looking for. I've worked with agate with just hand tools and it's very difficult.
@@CplSkiUSMC Thanks for the answer
I would love to buy a cross. They are amazing!
Bless you for making these for your priest and your bible study men and also having some available for people that would like to purchase one. They are really wonderful.
Thanks, Lyn!
good thinking on that ramp!
I can't take credit for the ramp idea, but it is a good one.
Great video. I would love to buy one those crosses.
I don’t do online sales. Sorry about that.
How do you determine the thickness of the slab for the design you have in mind? Thanks for giving thorough answers to all questions asked on your site. The teacher in you shows.
I cut almost all of my slabs 1/4 inch thick. For guitar picks, I cut them much thinner, of course.
I love your videos, and have learned so much! Thank you! Have you ever tried making a cross from petrified wood? Im thinking of giving that a try to give as gifts this Christmas. 😊
No, but it should work fine.
Hello from Danmark. I love your channel. I’m very new in tumbling rocks but I’ve watched a lot of your videos. I love the little crosses and hope to be able to make some myself. Getting a proper saw here is unfortunately not very easy. But someday 😊 thank you for some great advise in your videos.
If you can't find a lapidary saw, you could always use a tile saw. That will cut rocks with no problem, but from what I've seen, they get you very wet compared to a good lapidary saw. For that reason, they're best used outside during the summer.
@@MichiganRocks thank you very much. I’m gonna try with a tile saw then. Right now I’m just trying to get a shine on my first ever batch of beach rocks ☺️
@@lindaquistgaardchristoffer3527 Good luck!
Awesome video. Incredible the step by step you provide in your videos. Do u have similar video on how you make the turtles
Of course I do. In fact, I have a short version and a long version.
Short: ruclips.net/video/2MVTZq0DQew/видео.html
Long: ruclips.net/video/DIOBskqTRDc/видео.html
Great video Rob! Thanks a million!
You’re welcome, Spencer. Are you going to make some?
@@MichiganRocks
I would love to but can't for a while. My wife Sandi and I began RVing full time in May. I'll be able to do some work when we get back home, but that may be a couple years. For now I'm only able to collect 😁
@@spencerpearson3688 That must be a fun way to live. I think I would like that, at least for awhile. My wife wouldn't enjoy it so much though.
@@MichiganRocks
It's definitely different but we're really enjoying it. We've seen some beautiful country in the boundary waters area of MN and the UP and mitten. Currently in Anchorville on the north end of Lake St Clair. Part of the enjoyment is probably due to being retired from work.
Speaking of work, are you still teaching?
@@spencerpearson3688 No, I retired last summer. My wife worked her thirtieth year from home last year and then retired this spring. The school just called her and asked her to come back, so she’s in the other room working again. It was nice while she was retired for three weeks this spring.
Nice tip there with the ramp.
Not my idea, but essential for cutting shapes like these.
Hi!I just subscribe your videos and I love it a lot.I wish I could have one of your cross rock.Thank you for the videos.
Contact Olivet Book and Gift in Alpena. They'll send you one. olivetbookandgift.com
Excellent video. Really interesting how the are made! When you hand them out to you tell people how long it takes to make them? Kind of a reminder how good things take time and faith.
I don't tell them how they're made unless they ask.
Good Stuff!..I'm building a ramp for my saw asap..thank u
I have some other videos of cutting shapes on the saw if you're interested.
Great video. I continue to learn a lot from your presentation formation. Was just wondering what brand of saw you use to make the clean 90 degree cuts. Thank you.
It's a GemLap. They're not made anymore though.
love your videos and what you do! I'm curious to know what areas you studied and for how long to be so knowledgeable on so many stones and the formation of them. Also love how you represent Michigan with your fashion sense... That Oppe Tshirt is awesome. I'll refer to you as the Oppe Stones guy from now on! True Michigander! Happy Holidays from down in Oakland County!!
Nichole Sasser ha ha! I guess I should have tried that shirt on before buying it. Having the C and the R in my armpits isn’t ideal, but when I pretend to be an airplane it looks great. Oh well, no one ever accused me of having fashion sense anyway.
I don’t have any geology training at all. I don’t remember even learning about geology in a junior high or high school science class. Therefore, I’m not very good at the subject at all. I have a couple books on Michigan rocks that I refer to, but that’s about it.
@@MichiganRocks Hahaha that's too funny! you can pull it off as a Michigan thing if you keep your arms down and write sorry right underneath it. I recently had an out of state friend tell me everyone she'd met so far out here says it constantly, now that I'm aware of it I counted myself in one day and realized that we do.
Well for having no formal education you deserve even more kudos. You could pass as a geology teacher I'm an amateur and you've taught me alot of things those must be some good books! I'd love to give them a read. Do you know of any areas around me that are good spots to hunt? you seem to know a lot of awesome places but unfortunately its all really far from here. It'd be a 3 or 4 day trip for me to get in good time. Any tips would be great!
I just got 4 of your crosses in the mail from Oliver. Beautiful! One question. Do you ever drill a hole at the top, either before or after polishing so they can be used as a pendant?
Hi Paul. I just mentioned your name in Agate Dad’s video because I agreed with your comments on agate polishing. I can’t imagine spending that long polishing one little rock.
Thanks a lot for buying some of my crosses. I didn’t even know if they mailed them out or not. I have drilled other things similar to that and glued in a small eye for a pendant. There’s a video I made about a pendant I made for my son where I did that. I also drilled a hole in a Michigan shape for my sister in law to wear as a pendant. I use a Dremel in a drill press with one mm diamond bits. Then I shape my own eye from silver wire and epoxy it in.
The crosses you bought would be ones I made in this video. They were completely out when I made this video, and all of these went there, so I know that for sure.
Lol! The corners. Every time I screw up, somebody out there likes it better that way. It took me years to accept that many of my screwups were really prototypes.
Screw ups are usually good learning experiences. I think it's better to think of them that way.
Thank you for sharing. How you make your beautiful crosses. Do you ever sell your work. You and family have a wonderful weekend.
I sell some at a local gift shop. The link to the shop is in the description.
Nice! I have so many finished projects that I don't know what to do with. You're doing it right.
Quick question: Doesn't the mist settle on horizontal surfaces, covering everything in dust? I want to move some equipment indoors for the winter but I worry about contaminating my home.
Thanks for the vids!
Not as much as you might think. Right around the saws, I have to wipe it up, but it doesn’t affect areas much farther than that.
the ramp is a brilliant solution
Making it Matters I can’t take credit for the ramp idea. I agree that it’s a great solution to the problem though.
I was going to ask what you did with them.... I would love to have one but live in Indiana and am unable to make it up to your local shop that sells them. I love your videos and am learning so much from you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Vicki Zeller I guess you’ll just have to make some yourself. Making them is half the fun!
@@MichiganRocks If only that were possible. I so enjoy your videos!
I like your jig on an angle to keep the blade 90 degrees from center. Cut the ends then the inner corners, just saying it so it sticks. Thanks for the tutorial!
You're welcome, Nicolas.
Great thing you do with the crosses. We dont know how something so small may affect someones life in big way,,,
I hope that happens with a few of them.
Muy bonito la piedra cruz 👍😮colores todos??? Gracias sorda Lety
¡Gracias!
How do you cut the rocks into slabs ? An can you do it with a tile saw ? I absolutely love it !
A lot of people use a tile saw to cut slabs. It might be a little difficult to get your cuts parallel, but with some practice, I think you could do it. You can see my saw in this video: ruclips.net/video/Xms841Zo8Vo/видео.html
LINKS: to machinery used please ?
or List of them, including the wet saw brands. Thank you.
luv the vids btw, very helpful.
None of the saws I used are being manufactured any more. The slab saw, which I didn’t show, is a Lortone ST-10. Lortone still makes saws, just not a ten inch version. The trim saw that I used is a Gemlap saw. The saw with the ramp is a Frantom. Neither of those companies are in business. Those are very old saws. The tumbler is a Lot-O. I got mine from The Rock Shed.
Enjoyed the video. So great your work goes to good causes. Do u have contact info for the store. I would love to buy 4 to give to my wife.mother. son and myself
Michael Strong I’m not sure if they do online sales, but there’s a link to the store in the description of this video.
Very nicely done ... Thanks for sharing your procedure! A question, if you will, what kind of cutting fluid do you use in your saw? Thank you very much.
I use plain water in that saw. I used to put in an additive made just for rock saws, but it was kind of expensive. It's supposed to make your blade last a little longer. I don't know if it saves enough blade to pay for itself though.
In my slab saw in the garage I use mineral oil.
Thanks for the prompt response - Interesting - I purchased the exact same saw that you're using from GemLap Equipment - Ferndale, Michigan a quite number of years ago. Liked their 90 degree cut shoulder design. It will be the saw I'll be using for this application. Not sure what I'll use as lubricant as I noticed that plain water makes the outline easier to see. Thanks again!
@@kiotipass That saw is really great. I just bought another one a couple months ago as a back up saw in case something happens to this one.
Unakite make a great stone for crosses. Many rockhounds call it the "Christmas stone" because it has red and green. After watching most of your tumbling videos, I know Chert and Unakite are your two favorite Michigan stones for polishing because they have banding and don't undercut. Do you have any other Michigan stones that you like to tumble? Thanks for your excellent videos!
Jim K I tumble anything that looks cool. I tumble puddingstones, Petoskey stones, quartz, jaspelite, banded rhyolite, and probably a bunch of others that I’m not thinking of right now. But the two you mentioned are definitely two of my favorites.
Love your videos I have seen all of them. Have you ever found a Yooperlite in the lower peninsula?
I haven’t looked yet. I bought a cheap UV light, but I forgot to bring it with me last summer.
I live in Hessel and have looked around but no luck
@@codyb.7690 Oops, I just reread your question. I haven't looked in the lower peninsula either. That's also on my list of things to try. Someone told me that Petoskey stone fluoresce under UV light, but they didn't with my cheap light. I want to buy a better light to take to the U.P., so I'll try that on the Petoskeys too.
My family used to trailer our boat to Hessel every summer for the antique boat show. I love that place!
Michigan Rocks my daughter and I have been out a few times looking for Yooperlites, but only on Lake Superior. Yes, Petoskey stones and fossils will glow under a black light.😁 They’re more of a white, blue, or orange solid color, compared to the Yooperlites’ random, brighter color. Fun to find! Love your videos. Always love to ‘tag along’ with you, exploring.😊Thank you for the time and effort you put into your trips and videos! God Bless!🤗
@@littledabwilldoya9717 I'm getting more eager to get out and check out the Lake Huron beaches with a black light. I'll definitely bring my light to Lake Superior this summer too.
They are awesome, where can i find that tumbler?
The Rock Shed sells them, but they've been out of them for awhile now.
My LOT O finally arrived! I have painted my concrete block and am wondering if just the self-stick adhesive will be enough to keep it secure for the long haul. It looks like yours does not have any thing extra added. Have you ever had any problems with it coming loose from the block?
I just used the included double sided tape and have never had any problems. It's been stuck to the block for about ten years now. You're going to love that machine. I have a second one ordered for myself.
You have inspired me to try lapidary. Love your saw. What is the make and is it loud and messy when you cut rocks?
It's a GemLap, it's pretty loud, and it's no longer made, so you'll have to find a used one. It was made in Ferndale, Michigan.
@@MichiganRocks Thank you.
Thanks for posting the video! Wanted to ask if the saw with the 90 degree angle is a wet tile saw or a wet diamond saw (is there a difference/is one better for shaping and cutting semiprecious gemstones)?
My saw is a lapidary saw, not a tile saw. It’s a Gemlap, which is a very old brand that is not made anymore. I have never used a tile saw, but it should do this job fine. The biggest problem with tile saws is that they tend to soak the user from what I’ve seen. I have several saws and some spray a fine mist. Wearing a vinyl apron takes care of that, it’s not much water. I use that saw inside with no problem except a quick wipe of the floor when I’m done. The saw in this video doesn’t get me wet at all, but the counter on either side gets a very small amount of mist on it.
Thanks so much for your reply! Appreciate the info!
looking for a gemlap 10a is there anything else like that one?
That I know of. I'm sure there must be something, but I just don't know what it is. I'm not sure if I showed the ramp I made for my other saw in this video, but that's an option. I'm pretty sure that I showed it in this video: ruclips.net/video/VDoZL4MiPgQ/видео.html
Did you rince them after the first step of tumbling when you put the borax etc. in?
I rinse them into a bucket after each stage. I also run them with a little extra water and some dish soap or borax between each stage for a half hour or so just to make sure there's no grit left before moving them to the next stage.
This video came up and it is of interest to me because I cut a lot of slabs and was looking for a rather "simple" design to use up the slabs that probably would otherwise never get used. I do not have a vibratory tumbler and am wondering if you have ever taken the stone crosses to polish in a rotary tumbler. Perhaps if the time in the tumbling stages was limited to 3 or 4 days. Any thoughts?
I haven't tried doing shorter runs in a rotary, but I'd be afraid that they wouldn't get a good shine. I think the best plan is to run them in a vibratory tumbler. If you want to see the difference, look at this video. I shows crosses made of the same material run in a rotary and a vibe. You might not mind how they look when done in a rotary. ruclips.net/video/5V33xUTkmRM/видео.html
I've Got another question. I just received a Lot - O tumbler I ordered from The Rockshed. I'm waiting for the paint to dry on the concrete block before I mount the tumbler. I've noticed on RUclips that some have filled in the Holes, some haven't. I didn't, so I'm wondering if it really makes any difference. I appreciate your input.
I have mine filled in. I don't know if that was in the directions that came with the Lot-O or if I read it somewhere else. I have no idea if it makes a difference because I have never done it any other way.
If you decide to do it, it's easy. I just put it on an old piece of plywood, filled it with Quikrete and used another board to scape across the top to level it.
I think you're going to love that machine.
good morning i have a question i do not usually have rocks bigger than my lot o tumbler but here we are so i have a mjr 18# ie - 6# barrrels how much grit should i use or stages 3 and 4 and how much water in a 6# tumbler. thanks
Honestly, I have way more experience with my Lot-O than with the later stages in a rotary tumbler. My experience with finishing rocks in a rotary tumbler is almost all in three pound barrels. I usually just go with the same number of tablespoons as the barrel is rated for. So in a six pound tumbler, I'd just use 6 tablespoons. That's just my best guess, but it's someplace to start.
Good morning i just bought a beacon star 10" trim/slab saw. arbor is above the deck the last owner was usinf baby oil to cut rocks. is that ok ? if not what shoud i be using and also how much liquid should i put in the tank? thanks chad
Baby oil is mineral oil with scent added. I use mineral oil in my slab saw, but I use water in my trim saw.
Add water or mineral oil until the bottom of the blade is covered about 1/4 inch. As long as the blade is flinging water or oil around, it should be enough.
what do you do with the left over small pieces?
Nobody ever asks that. I wish they did because I have a two minute video with the answer. ruclips.net/video/EFcd3A_4yWY/видео.html
you're a genius =)
For making crosses?
@@MichiganRocks not specifically, I mean't in general. Your entire art/craft/skill set.
@@twasbrillig33 gee, thanks!
Great video. What saw is this?
It's a ten inch GemLap saw. They aren't made anymore though.
@@MichiganRocks Thank you!
Can you use a regular tumbler or have to be vibratory? Would other shapes work in a regular tumbler?
A rotary tumbler is good for shaping and rounding rocks. That's nice for just tumbled stones, but not good for shapes that you would like to stay that shape. That's what vibratory tumblers are really good at. They shine things up while retaining their original shape. So you would want to use a vibratory tumbler for any shaped rock or cabochon, not just crosses.
Greetings! I loved almost every part of this video. I’m a Wisconsin football season ticket holder from Green Bay , so your shirts were a little tough to get past. 😁
I’m a recently ordained deacon and would love to make and distribute these. After doing a little research (I have no “rock experience“) it seems like one of the big hurdles is finding a slab saw. Can you offer any thoughts? Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.
Keep up the great work!
These have been really popular. I think I mentioned in the video that one of the things I do with them is sell them in a local gift shop. Since I've shown them in a few videos, they've been selling even better. I don't make much off them, but I like making them, so it's ok.
I use two saws and a Lot-O tumbler to make these. The slab saw is a Lortone ST-10, similar to an LS-10. I bought it used for $400. I would highly suggest buying a used saw. My saw is probably from the 70's when lapidary stuff was really popular. There were a lot of good saws made back then that still work well today. I'd keep your eyes on eBay and Craig's list and also just ask around for someone who might have one. You'd be surprised at how many people have an interest in rocks and might have old equipment laying around.
The other saw I use is a GemLap trim saw. Trim saws are a little cheaper. I have three of them now and my favorite is one that was given to me. A furniture store owner was delivering something and heard my slab saw running in the garage. He asked if I wanted his old saw that he no longer used. It cost me about $150 to get it in running condition, which still made it a great deal.
I'd just buy a Lot-O tumbler new. They're a little over $200 at The Rock Shed, which is usually the cheapest place to buy. rockshed.com
If you want the cheapest way to do this, it would probably be to buy a tile saw with a fairly big blade and use that for all your cutting. I have never used one, but I hear that they get you very wet while using them. Since you live in Wisconsin, that makes it a seasonal saw. You would have to push the rocks through by hand to slab them, which is time consuming and not a whole lot of fun. It's also a little challenging to cut nice parallel cuts to get slabs that are the same thickness all the way across. I cut most of my Petoskey Stones by hand on a trim saw and having a fence helps a lot. My saw just has a very small fence like on a table saw.
Another option would be to buy your slabs and then just cut them into crosses on a trim saw or a tile saw. That would be more expensive in the long run, but cheaper in the beginning. I don't use expensive rocks for my crosses, I just use local rocks that I cut myself. If you could find a good source for slabs, it might be affordable. There is a heart doctor who used to post on the Rock Tumbling Hobby forums who only made hearts. He bought slabs and I think he cut them on a tile saw and then tumbled them. He gave them to his patients. I'm sure he could have afforded the equipment, but that's how he preferred to do it.
Good luck with your project.
Thank you!
What lubricant are you using on your saw?
I use mineral oil in my slab saw in the garage. I just use plain water in my trim saw. I used to use and additive in my water, but I clean my saw out every time I use it, so that gets sort of expensive. I decided to just spend my money on blades a little more often.
Thanks again, you can see I am working my way through your videos. I have a quick question again if I may. I have the Hi-Tech diamond 6" trim saw. I use it to cut and trim smaller rocks. I tried cutting a symbol before I watched your video and experienced the deeper cut on bottom due to arbor sitting below table. You said to build a ramp so the blade hits at a 90 degree angle. I can build the ramp but how do I know it is going to hit at 90 degree? Would I buid it at a 45 degree angle or just have to play around with it to get the 90 degree?
Taking some measurements and doing a little math will help. If you aren't great at math, I guess you could always do it by trial and error. What you want is the top of the ramp to line up with the center of the blade. I hope that helps.
Could you drill through from side to side at the top...to make a necklace?
Or would that break the rock?
Yes, you could, but it takes a long time to drill. When I have made pendants out of things like this in the past, I have drilled a hole straight down from the top and glued in a small eye. Then I put a jump ring through the eye. If you look at the video of the pendant I made for my son, that's what I did.
How can I buy on of these beautiful crosses
I sell them at a local shop. They don't have an online store, but will work with you if you call or email. olivetbookandgift.com
good morning i have a question, i have a mjr 18# tumbler (ie 3 6# barrels) i have gone through 4 of them they keep getting holes in the bottom i was thinks is could fit a piece of rubber to glue to the bottom of the barrel. would you have any suggestions? thank you
PVC barrels are going to wear out a lot faster than rubber barrels. I have never used one, but that's what I've read. You could try what I did here: ruclips.net/video/FgNL9ws4AS8/видео.html
When you run your lotto 2 or 3 days in a row, do you change your grit out everyday. For example if you have to do a three-day run in your lotto, do you everyday clean it out and add new grit after day 1 and after day 2 and so on?
You have asked this same question on about three different videos. I answered it on one of the other ones. Asking once should do the trick. I don't miss many comments.
@@MichiganRocks sorry 😐
What's the brand of saw with the 90 degree angle?
It’s a GemLap, but they’re not made any more. You’ll have to find one used.