Exposing Bands While Polishing an Unstable Agate | Flat Lap Lapidary | Lake Superior Agate

[@AgateDad]

Thanks for watching and let me know if you have any ideas for this stone or if we should leave it! Don’t forget to subscribe so you can join us on all of our adventures!

[@rikspector]

Nature's surprises. Seeing less than perfect raw materials and what can be accomplished, is a lesson in itself. That's where the real learning happens! Cheers, Rik

[@AgateDad]

So true!! Always learning!

[@GeodeCrackerCollector]

Still a nice piece and beautiful polish my brother! It’s always a good day when you post so thanks for sharing!

[@angef9687]

Very aptly named! Even with all the inclusions & fractures I still think it is stunning! Thank you for the tips, tricks and for sharing your promo code! Have a great weekend Taylor & happy hunting!

[@susanbrookman2133]

I would leave it. The fractures are it's history. Absolutely beautiful, love the name.✌&❤

[@AgateDad]

That is true ♥️

[@SakkaraKirax]

I like the cracks and divots and hollows. It gives me a sense of what that rock has been through in its millions of years. I'm not sure if anyone else has said it in the comments, but that curve is convex not concave. Concave curves inwards, making a dip (think "cave") and convex curves outwards. Congrats on the 15000. In the month since, you've gained another couple of thousand which is awesome growth.

[@AgateDad]

Thanks on the word fumble, didn’t even think about it, heard someone say it so I appreciate that!

[@ExecCoachLiz]

Great process. I don’t think it needs anything, the fractures give it character. Beautiful find and transformation!

[@janethuffman5280]

I think the imperfection is what makes it beautiful. Afterall, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.😁

[@AgateDad]

Absolutely agree!

[@rockersfromaz3001]

I say leave it! Fractures and all, still beautiful! ❤️✌️

[@donnalantz7981]

Beautiful agate. Thanks for sharing.

[@Rookie_Rockounding]

Oh dude absolute heartbreaker!! But you done well boi! I like the concave. Sometimes rocks can be left as is so we can enjoy our journey and the ones that don’t break our hearts when they come. A massive massive congratulations on the 15000 subs dude! You deserve em!!!

[@AgateDad]

So true dude and thank you so much!

[@allysonhean4204]

Leave it as is, the fractures add character. Such deep colours.....gorgeous!

[@AgateDad]

Yeah im torn on what to do with it

[@judyjones2727]

I learn so much watching your videos. Thank you

[@paigelee6321]

Awesome beautiful heart breaker 💙😊

[@divinabattles8553]

What an amazing rock by itself and then polished it lol 😊😊😊👍👍👍

[@CaliforniaGleamin]

You make polishing look so easy. Thanks for showing how the pros do it 😺

[@AgateDad]

I wish i was a pro, still a newby and will be for a LONG time!

[@dianerhymes1875]

I love the name "the heartbreaker"! The color patches even remind me of the chambers in a heart. Beautiful!1💔

[@AgateDad]

Love that!

[@shartroost9619]

I fine your videos very interesting, I grew up near Warren Dunes State park; found so many rocks that I don’t see today. I’m 78 years old, an artist that sculpts and love to work with rocks ; also I do oil paintings.

[@AgateDad]

Very cool!

[@dougodette4582]

Looks amazing brother with all the imperfections, leave it as is👍🙂

[@kellydrodgers8957]

Beautiful agate! Saw your thumbnail showing this agate rough looking quite alot like E.T . Heart Breaker, good name for the agate. It even looks like a heart.

[@AgateDad]

Oh funny 😆

[@RavenRaven-se6lr]

From nothing to beautiful great presentation 🇦🇺👍

[@AgateDad]

🙏♥️

[@jeneaneherzog4626]

HEARTBREAKER... Perfect!😂

[@AgateDad]

🤘🤘

[@jeneaneherzog4626]

I'd leave it alone... it's perfect!☺

[@benbrantley4806]

Love your videos and like hearing your accent.

[@AgateDad]

Tanks!

[@jhillianekaethealfonso4276]

Nice piece

[@AgateDad]

♥️🤘

[@bonniebrunet1168]

15,000?! I know that had a certain amount of emotions u experienced thru out the years gatherin subscribed viewers. Congratulations

[@AgateDad]

It was a exciting moment, very humbling!

[@conniegregory5547]

I really admire and appreciate how organized you are and your wonderful, neat work area. Love your videos!

[@AgateDad]

Thank you so much!

[@sandmaker]

I think it is good where it is. The flaws make it unique. Be happy, safe and stay healthy 😷⚒

[@AgateDad]

True that 🤘

[@genewilliams6966]

Beautiful, cracks and all.

[@sonshinelegacy773]

Thank you so much for sharing your expertise.

[@AgateDad]

Definitely not an expert! But I do love sharing the passion and little knowledge I have 😊

[@RockhoundingLife]

That shine turned our awesome! LSA's do well on the All-U-Need. Looks like you got the right formula. And under an hour!! Awesome!

[@AgateDad]

They really do, I should do more polishes with this...two vids a week?? lol

[@primedforbeauty]

Heartbreaker for sure!!! It’s even shaped like a heart!! 💔

[@AgateDad]

Exactly!

[@kimfrommn7162]

Excellent lesson! Thanks for sharing!! 😊

[@AgateDad]

🙏♥️

[@bmz3748]

Hard to hold onto...have you tried dopping? I love it! Makes it way easier to manipulate the grind and polish, once you get used to it.

[@AgateDad]

I haven’t but I plan to

[@charlesingram2988]

Thanks for the info!

[@larrymays5413]

good job

[@silverback5033]

Nice video Taylor, even with the “Heartbreaker” 👍. Congratulations on the 15k mark. That is outstanding. Keep Safe & Keep Rockin

[@AgateDad]

Thank you!! Same to you 🤘

[@jimlancaster6120]

Thanks for the show, that might be one for a little polish in the stone garden.

[@AgateDad]

lol maybe

[@soul_adventurist]

I would love to learn how to do this but it seems like an expensive and very time- consuming hobby. Thank you for sharing 🤩

[@botryoidalbishhh3150]

Always interesting and varied content.

[@AgateDad]

Thank you!

[@dustinfindsrocks]

What can ya do 🤷🏻‍♂️ Still looks cooler than raw. Can’t hit a home run every time you bat. I need to get a flat lap 🤔 I have Missouri lace agate for days!!!

[@jonathonlafave3698]

Right on. 💪👑✅🌍🌹

[@RocketRockhound]

Hey Taylor awesome agate you have there. Have you had any luck getting your rock tumbling going

[@nancywilson9380]

It looks beautiful to me as is. If you wanted to try carving, I'd make the divot into a teardrop shape and use a dop stick to shape and shine a red jasper teardrop to glue into the middle with liquid glass

[@AgateDad]

Good idea!

[@kellydrodgers8957]

I second the idea. Then display the agate on a small stand so it's beauty can be seen.

[@justjulee9135]

I’m gonna have to get me a flat lap. You have too much fun with it.

[@AgateDad]

feel free to ask questions and if you get accessories use AGATEDAD for 10% off

[@bognartruckingllc5235]

Great video. Just ordered the Hi tech.

[@AgateDad]

Awesome! Which model?!

[@bognartruckingllc5235]

@@AgateDad Hi Tech 8" slant and the Hi Tech Diamond 10" slab saw. We live in Illinois. My grandson and I started watching your channel. He is Autistic and is a big fan as AM I. I think he has watched all of your videos 10 times. So now we have a new hobby.

[@AgateDad]

That makes me smile so big, please tell him thank you!!! I really hope you both enjoy the equipment and please feel free to reach out with any questions!

[@bognartruckingllc5235]

@@AgateDad thanks. He will be happy to know that you responded. We are looking forward to what you will be finding next. Please..keep up the good work

[@AgateDad]

Thank you so much!

[@patrickbeaton6697]

enjoyed the vid. if mine, an l had your flat lap, l'd facet the other sides an polish. perhaps look into stabilizin' beforehand...or not. a purdy piece 👊🍻

[@AgateDad]

How do you stabilize?

[@geosobservations9496]

Opticon gem fracture sealer... a lot of my stuff I'm finding is fractured... so someone recommended it to me... something to look at... passing it along

[@geosobservations9496]

I also though about using a sniffer bottle or syringe with a rubber end to draw super glue through a fracture... not sure if it will work... but it's worth a try on a test piece...😃

[@AgateDad]

good ideas!

[@Debbie4729]

I would put a flashlight on it to map the cracks,and cut it to it's max size,and then repolish whatever I could,and the fragments.I have super thin agate slips that really impress me.They will make great pendants,which is what I like to create.

[@landirover8927]

It's a heart rock!!! How are Agates created?

[@zekesundown2397]

I got an Idea polish the other side using your new machine 😬

[@andrearasmussen8865]

Cool! Going to Duluth Wednesday hopefully will find something near there. Can't be too far from the hospital if anyone has some suggestions on where to find anything?

[@andrearasmussen8865]

Ok then ! Lol

[@AgateDad]

Sorry I missed this, been busy, how’d it go?

[@andrearasmussen8865]

@@AgateDad it went good. Still here at the Children’s hospital for 2 more days with my son, it was a major surgery but things went very well thanks for asking! Will be in here another full day for sure with the epidural going on..

[@andrearasmussen8865]

@@AgateDad I understand your busy I figured someone would comment from Duluth but I guess not lol 😆

[@AgateDad]

So happy they did! I had surgeries as a kid and it’s never fun, sending big prayers for your boy ♥️

[@vickicook3094]

I have a question as have never used more than a tumbler. Do you think if you would have cut this first to get to a flat, or almost flat surface, the rock would not have fractured so much? Just curious as pondering if I want to take this to more, like a saw and grinder. thanks and please keep the videos coming.

[@AgateDad]

The fractures were there before I even found this one, grinding on the flat lap didn’t cause fractures, it exposed them more and as I ground down, they got thinner and more unstable. So even if I cut it and ground down in the same way, it would have similar results. Sometimes these stones are stinker beans and just have faults.

[@vickicook3094]

@@AgateDad thanks

[@darrinwilliams5715]

Very good job under the circumstances. To really fix that stone, you would have to loose quite a bit of that stone. I think I would have trim sawed near the line you marked. It would still show the flaws if I didn’t cut deeply enough. 😎

[@AgateDad]

I thought about getting the stone hot and melting solder into the cracks until it was higher than the face, then taking it to the polishing wheel until its flat...making a Frankenstone lol

[@maxcopus1]

I’d recommend thin starbond ca glue to help with future fractures. It doesn’t yellow and helps me a lot in under cutting during polishing!👍🏻

[@paleocat6354]

Would this work for cutting them with a diamond blade attachment for a Dremel ?

[@maxcopus1]

@@paleocat6354 it might help with outside fractures from breaking off, more than likely it’s the vibration from Dremel blade attachment that causes the breaking. I’ve used it for a little bit a year ago, just make sure to use lots of water in between and let the blade do the cut!👍🏻

[@rockrockprettyrock6594]

Put the fractured rocks in mineral oil overnight. It hides a lot, though maybe not all fractures. Rub dry with a soft cloth. Pros: the rocks look better. Cons: some residual oiliness. I finally did this to all of my fractured rocks; would do it again.

[@AgateDad]

good idea!

[@ChristopherSchiffermiller]

Good idea, I did that to a couple pieces of cool calcite I found that were a bit dry and a year later still look shiny and "wet", yet no wet to the touch.

[@ChristopherSchiffermiller]

Thanks for the video, as you gave me some ideas for many of my rocks/crystals that look exactly like yours in this video. I just felt mine were jasper-quartz infused with some swirls, not agates like the typical lines and bands. A couple questions for you to help me out with what I may do with mine. How come you didnt cut a thin slice off any or all sides first to see, then polish? Im new at this so just wondering before I go and cut mine up. Also, will you do the other side or leave it the way it is and why? So, I been hounding over the past 4 years in Oregon and Cali, but just now getting into buying some saws and equipment, like today or tomorrow. One thing I learned over the past few years is cleaning these types of rocks/crystals like in your video with muriatic acid bath in water. For me it does a few things, one it cleans them and two it has given almost all of my rocks and crystals a clearer view of the inside and the designs they hold. Meaning, it gives you a better idea of where and how to cut them before just slicing and grinding. I have lots of chalcedony agate types that are clear and only could see the bands or designs after 1-3 acid baths and then drying for a week or more. Some werent even showing after wetting or under water in light and only after the baths did they reveal some beauty. So now I have some ideas to either cut and or grind and polish them. Just a little idea in case you or your followers didnt know. One more thing, as I may be buying this machine you use. How do your discs or pads hold up over the past year or so and how often do you run it per month? These items are not cheap to buy and so I am hoping they last a good bit before replacing. Thanks again, Chris

[@lounisrajah5951]

I am even less than you are in this area. I picked up a pile of agate stones, there are some which are very beautiful; in short, I have a good and varied collection, and I don't know how it will end if I can't find a particular agate specialist. Also I cannot find suitable material within my reach.

[@AgateDad]

So are you looking for agate ID or what?

[@CityRockhounding]

This turned out cool even with the fractures. If it goes through too deep, I would just leave it, still really cool looking piece.

[@melissslarsen560]

So I'm new to rockhounding, do you have any suggestions that isn't a flat lap machine to work with agate.. I was thinking a Dremel but I'm not sure 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@AgateDad]

I would chose flat lap over dremel, there are other options though. Think about time spent polishing, a dremel will take so long and can only polish small surfaces

[@WorldofRockhounds]

Nice job at the polish and the name was very fitting for it!

[@AgateDad]

Thanks 🙏

[@anitawilliams2187]

Could you use this grinder to shape/smooth the edges of pieces of cut glass for stained glass work?

[@AgateDad]

They have a discs for glass, so yes

[@anitawilliams2187]

Is that disc included in set or do I need to order separately? Thank you…

[@AgateDad]

If you look up the flat lap models, you can select the glass version

[@AgateDad]

The website is in the description box

[@anitawilliams2187]

@@AgateDad where is the box? Thank you so much…

[@johnkennedy9078]

Can you shape stones with this or is it just finishing?

[@AgateDad]

what kind of what are you thinking?

[@Timothious_Maximus]

Maybe flow some thin oil or superglue into the franctures and grind another little bit down to get the majority of the cracks out. That'd be my play.

[@AgateDad]

Interesting idea! May give that a try!

[@providencedivine1]

Quick questionsTaylor, how much time do you spend on each stage or is there a certain smoothness you are looking for when taking a raw stone on the cabber?

[@AgateDad]

A certain smoothness, it’s okay to go back if need be though!

[@delolds4362]

I've noticed that you stop using the 14000 paste buffer. Do you find the polish to be better with the 3000?

[@AgateDad]

I didn’t use it with this one because of the fractures, the compound would leave a goo and fuzz in the face polish

[@delolds4362]

Thanks for the reply Makes sense I was thinking about getting the 3000 disc just because I felt like 1200 to 14000 is a big gap. I filled the gap on the low end with a 220 pad made the micro scratches easier to remove for me. Will be interested to see if the 3000 will be a noticeable improvement in the final product.

[@AgateDad]

For sure 🤘hopefully you see a difference!

[@withwingsaseagleeyes]

8:57 Call it a broken heart.

[@jardfelipe1550]

Meu sonho é ter uma máquina dessa pra polir meus cristais Minha coleção e toda encontrada na natureza não compro kakaka Sou seu fã parabéns pelos vídeos e pelos cristais perfeitos que você tem

[@AgateDad]

I hope you can have one someday!

[@jardfelipe1550]

@@AgateDad estou trabalhando para isso !🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@myrthagunter4141]

If the cracks run all the way through the stone leave it like it is . But if they don't try polishing the other side . Not sure what you're going to do with the agate . Thank you .Enjoyed !

[@AgateDad]

not sure yet to be honest

[@loridietrich2369]

My achie breakie ❤

[@AgateDad]

Bingo!

[@kirbycraft9325]

Leave it be, but I'm not a lapidary expert either though. If I were to do any of my agates like that, is one identical with multiple fractures on the inside.

[@AgateDad]

I've had this crazy thought of heating the stone slightly, melting solder in the cracks and polishing that.... a frankenstone... thoughts?

[@kirbycraft9325]

@@AgateDad I wouldn't do that either. I have thought of boiling some in water to try to get dirt out of the quartz in particular, but it looks awesome as is. It's like one guy said to me a little while back: They are sentimental. You really don't want to mess with them. I'm going with that. However I am getting that Citric Acid. In fact I'm going to try that before boiling any. For that I'm very grateful. I've asked even some true experts, and they didn't offer much help. I think that once someone gets into your position some things are more permissible, just don't forget it was the simple, and imperfect beauty of the agates that got you into this. I've got a couple of hours here to watch some more videos, and you were talking about a green stone that swirls. I found a pounder one of just that the other day. I'm getting it back when I go back there this week. No luck tonight. I took a landscape rake and turned the rocks in a couple of creekbeds, and go back first thing in the morning. It was too dark to see anything.

[@kirbycraft9325]

@@AgateDad you know when I think about it; you can heat up vegetable oil and dip the agate in that,but you can't hold it with your hands. It has to be really hot. Some jewellers do that with some Emeralds to fill in the natural inclusions on some, making it look more flawless than it really is. Vegetable or mineral oil. I don't remember which one, but Im sure it's vegetable oil.

[@shartroost9619]

Enlarge some silver wire in the cracks it will help it stand out

[@AgateDad]

not a bad idea!

[@anamnotwein]

Hi, I'm Evie. I'm 6 years old and I love your channel. I'm going to be AGATE GIRL! You wanted to know what you do with this agate with the fractures one you give it to someone as a surprise gift or color on it with marker on the not shiney side to make an animal and make it look pretty. Prettier. It's a nice agate anyhow. -Evie

[@WaltHaas]

This is a 3yr old video, but what does do you run your 180 #. I run mine between 3 an 4.

[@saaamember97]

Dude! If you want to try and go down further, to grind out that vug, invest in some dop wax and sticks. I resisted using them for a long time, until I tried it once, and found that I could grind all sorts of angles ..... More than I could with just my fingers. With a dop stick, I can get a nearly perfect dome on my cabs.

[@jimmosesl.8709]

Hello I'm curious at how to identify lake superior agate

[@AgateDad]

In the wild or at a shop?

[@jimmosesl.8709]

@@AgateDad in the wild or both thanks

[@randym8963]

maybe polish the other side and see what it offers.... that would let more light into the agate.... sometimes imperfections are its strengths

[@AgateDad]

So true 😊

[@raystevens687]

Hi 👋 👋 👋 👋 Agate Dad hay where biggest Fracture is fill that 1 with Epoxy the real small 1 fill with CA glue get the thin glue so it will make its way into the small cracks I would let this set up at least 24 hours to make sure everything is set up. One word of caution use a junk grinning wheel to make sure you don't plug up your good grinning wheels. I would feel really bad if I gave you bad information. So Rock 🎸 on sir and we'll see you at the good ole rock pile hahahahaha 😆

[@occipitalneuralgia2339]

Are you using protective face mask and eyewear? How much dust goes all over ..even though it’s wet.

[@raystevens687]

Here is an Idea you could do and I'm not sure if it will work How about using super glue you will need to whip the rock off with accent tone please make sure the cracks very clean now and take your time

[@stormymountainrockworks]

Great video dude. I have one of these HiTech flat laps and have had minimal success with it. I think it’s because of the limited number of grits, and also the high grit of only 1200. I’ve found those $12 sets of diamond grit pads work far better. More in-between grits to make the transitions easier and quicker.

[@AgateDad]

You should get the 3000 grit disc

[@AgateDad]

And the 260 grit (purple)

[@alczek]

Great polish job but the rock let you down. Part of the excitement not knowing what you will get fro a slab.

[@AgateDad]

True that!

[@Batfan83]

Beautiful piece fyi concave goes inward convex goes outward.

[@AgateDad]

Yupp

[@Batfan83]

@@AgateDad I must say I do love your videos

[@denniskenny72]

cut a window in the back let the light in

[@AgateDad]

Not a bad idea actually!

[@skylow1627]

Hi, great vids thanks . I WAS wondering do i need to get the same sande? I cant seem to get that cloudy haze of them any suggetions buget frendly

[@tv-up6wz]

Have a good look.

[@AgateDad]

ok

[@MsKindaSorta]

I think when you back to the lake go down to the waters edge, rear back and chunk it as far as you can. 🤣

[@AgateDad]

I think thats a bad idea lol

[@MsKindaSorta]

@@AgateDad I’m glad you have a sense of humor about it. It is too pretty to give up tho. You could make a slice off the back to let the sun shine through it. That might inspire some new ideas. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@AgateDad]

Haha I know a joke when I see what, what do you think about heating the stone and dropping solder into the cracks and then polishing it down to a flat surface? Like a frankenstöne??

[@sciencemall-usa2010]

What is your discount code with Hi Tech?

[@AgateDad]

Agatedad - good on accessories

[@expedicoesaventurascristai3892]

Qual as sequência das lixas?...os gtitt

[@AgateDad]

:)

[@bahrgsmith843]

Convex, concave is inwards

[@AgateDad]

Yeah I’ve been informed lol

[@kurtw176]

Polish the other side.

[@AgateDad]

I like that side unpolished actually

[@kurtw176]

@@AgateDad it looks like few or no cracks on that side. I suggest using more water and grinding on the outside of the disc for quicker results. Nice to see your love of rocks.

[@karenwagner5928]

The agate dad code for hi tech does not work for the machines.

[@AgateDad]

Yea I know, did I not mention that in the description box?