Lapis Nevada sphere

[Jhon P]

Finished this morning 5" Lapis Nevada Sphere
The old mine is about one hour from my place and I went out there and collected some sphere material

[Sandsave]

Nice to see a sphere on here! I would like to see a sphere section. How about you?
I started making spheres last March (2015). Totally changed my rockhounding perspective. I used to look for small material to cab. Now I look for larger material because I know I can make a sphere and get tons of cab material. If it's not great cab material the spheres show the 360 degree of the rock usually pretty cool.
I'll post some I've finished in the last couple weeks, need to take some pics first.

Nice work

[john likes rocks!]

Great job! It would be fun building a sphere collection, have a blast!

[Jhon P]

Sandsave, A sphere section would be great if there is enough interest.
Please post pictures. The problem with spheres is bigger is better, I had to buy a 24" saw  so I could cut bigger rock for bigger spheres.
I have a rose quartz and a sodalite preformed that should finish to 6", just need to finish the hand grinding to put them in the machine.
I like doing travertine onyx it is soft and goes fast, but makes a mess.
I will post more pictures if people want to see then  I have 50 or more not including the ones that went to new homes.

[Sandsave]

I have around 50 or so also, with more on the way. I just picked up a piece of Tiffany today in trade for some Jade. Can't wait to start. Most are from 2 1/2" to 5". Here are some of my favorites. The Nephi Palm is my prized one as its really hard to get and be large enough to sphere. I got four spheres from this piece and gave three away to my rock hound buddies. We log days digging for the Palm....
1 Mexican coconut
2 Sodalite
3 Biggs
4 Cycad
5 Nephi Palm

[Sandsave]

6 Indian Blanket
7 Septarian Nodule
8 Coprolite
9 Variscite
10 Fluorite

[peruano]

Wonderbar.  They are all beautiful.  Spheres are tactile delights as well as optical treats.  Tom 

[Jhon P]

Way cool. Love the septarian, I got a couple of large nodules from a friend
But they were too fractured to do anything with.
I find it addicting, I can't wait to finish one so I can start a new one
The thing that takes the most time is the hand grinding to get the preform
Mostly round to go into the machine. I need a large core drill but can't
Justify the $

[Jhon P]

The first part of January I was in Parumph Nevada
Visiting a friend and he took me out to a couple if travertine
Oynx mines. He wanted to see the ones I had
So i took this quick picture. Like doing oynx it is only about a
4 hardness and it grind and polishes fast
I will have to take pictures of the two jade I did. Grinding jade
Took forever

[Sandsave]

Definitely a lot of work before before you get to turn. There's a gentleman here locally with 45+ years experience he has been a great help to me. There's nothing you can do save time cutting it is what it is. Do you have a cab machine? If so go pick up 8-10 diamond blades from harbor freight, put some spacers between them (I used some CDs from the wife's office) install in place of the end wheel.the water from your cab machine keeps the dust away and you can take edges off in no time.

Picasso Marble

Sandsave

[Jhon P]

I have set up a 7" angle grinder with a 7" diamond turbo wheel that I mount at a 45 degree angle.  It grinds rock like nothing else that I have tried.
I set it up outside in the back lot on a shed, wear coveralls, hearing protection and respirator. the amount of rock dust and noise is unbelievable. I look like a snow man when done. But it is still the hardest physical part of making spheres. The cutting of preforms and the sphere machine are easy.
I will preform the smaller ones (under 5") with the 10" tile saw (after I cut the cube) when the weather permit because I set it up outside. A lot faster than using the oil saws and no oil to clean.
 I am always looking for ways to make it easier and am always open to imformation,

[Jhon P]

Sandsave, loved all of your spheres, here is the spotted jade that took forever to do

[Jhon P]

and a rose quartz

[Sandsave]

They are awesome. The rose quartz is sweet. Here's a dugway geode, never really tried one of these, turned out neat. The Tiffany stone I traded some Jade for was a total wash. Live and Learn. I know what to look for next time

[bobby1]

Here is a sphere that a friend of mine had made from fused quartz. It is 18-1/2" in diameter and weighs about 275 lbs. We were working on having it to display at our show last week but we couldn't get anyone to insure it.
Bob