Gooday All

[sandgroper]

Gooday All
I live in Perth. (although currently "Grey Nomadding" in Darwin)
After retiring last year I dragged out my old Robilt "Little Jewel" combination cabbing unit (which had been gathering dust for nearly 40 years!) and completed a full rebuild and paint job. Then, while fossicking in Sapphire last year I acquired a good second hand Hall Mk3 faceting machine as I would really like to have a go at producing a few "Sparklers."

Lyn(my wife) and I plan to head down to Mud Tank in a couple of weeks to search for a few Zircons and Garnets which will then be sacrificed for faceting practice when we get back home to Perth in September!

Along with my other interests in Astronomy, Amateur Radio, Computers and Music, I'm looking forward to rekindling my Lapidary enthusiasm.

I am impressed with this great Forum put together by Andrew and Leah and of course supported by all the members. So much good information, advice and comradeship. I hope I can make a positive contribution.

Regards,
John

[Mithras]

If you are heading to Mud Tank, pick fossickersACT head.

Lucky boy just got back from there

[mehoose]

Hi sandgroper,
Welcome to ALF.
Be good to see your pics and views from Mud Tank. I'm sure Ted left all the teasers.

[sandgroper]

Thanks guys for the hints re. Ted. I'll try and contact him when I can get "back on the air" as we are leaving Darwin tomorrow AM and travelling for some days...so no internet!
Cheers,
John

[fossickeract]

Hi John,
    Regards net the nearest to Gemtree is Alice free at Maccas when you have a coffee. Try the guided garnet tour from gemtree and a chat to fossickers at mudtank will put you right.Practice on glass or CZ not your valuble finds!Good luck.
                  Ted

[sandgroper]

Hi Ted.
We have a Telstra modem in the caravan but many of the places we travel to have no Next G coverage (Such as Gemtree unfortunately).

We visited Gemtree and Mud Tank last year and found a few nice Garnets and Zircons. Unfortunately we only had a couple of days.

This year we will stay for at least a week!  By the way, I was not serious about using our finds for practice..... I have already bought some CZ for practice material. Many thanks for the comments.
Cheers
John

[moonshadow_dancer]

Hi John,

Welcome to ALF the best forum online.

I am happy to hear another going to take up the best hobby on earth (faceting) If you can get hold of some Quartz, that is the best material to learn with, and also a Darkside Lap is a great item to have for polishing, as Beginners and advanced faceters are finding this Lap a blessing and produces excellent polish, with both Oxides and Diamond Polishes.

Have a safe trip and hope you both find lots of pretty's.

Take Care,
Deb

[mehoose]

Hehe, see the light, get a Darkside.