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Corn Wallace, Questions that need answers
NewRockHounder
post Jul 7 2014, 05:59 PM
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Oh hello, didn't see you come in.. I was wondering about rock chisels.. what should I use and where to get them? I don't have a mining store close to me, so that's outta the question. =( Does Ace hardware sell such things? Also be nice if someone answered my other post about polishing, I'm at a loss. Also, also, looking for an expert rock hounder to take me under his/her wing and show me some (not all) of the ropes, as I'm just digging where-ever I see quartz on the surface... obviously following it up the hill side to the possible source, but three trips of three day camping/excavating (by hand, no permit, no claim) and only two smokey quartz, one of which is busted in half, tho it's four inches long.. still sucky) is no way, in my opinion to rock hound.. yes I'm new to all this, but that's pretty sad.. tho I will say, something over nothing... any/all help would be appreciated.


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Caveman
post Jul 7 2014, 07:13 PM
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Be patient - the rock hounds will chime in - it just has been a long holiday weekend and they will be getting back home soon from their work/play. Just like us gold seekers!

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RhodoRose
post Jul 12 2014, 05:48 PM
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Hi Rockhounder -
Yep, Caveman's right, holiday week and all that. The best encouragement this still-a-rookie can give is "be patient - it takes time". We all started where you are. The sources of information aren't always obvious or forthcoming (or everyone would be doing this and the good stuff would be gone, right? wink.gif ) My own CP story started with a love of 14er hiking and a longtime personal interest in Cripple Creek. I read historical books like Marshall Sprague's "Money Mountain" (informative and hilarious!), spent many happy winter afternoons poring over specimens at the Denver Museum/Coors Mineral Hall, and scoured the internet and mineral books for any little tidbit of information to help me figure out what made the Pikes Peak region geologically special and what gems and minerals could be found between Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek, along Gold Camp Road, Specimen Rock, Cameron's Cone, Mt. Rosa, Lake George, Crystal Peak, and other locales near where I live. Lots of evenings spent with a good glass of red wine, cheap pizza, and Pink Floyd, looking at photos, maps, YouTube videos - and, of course, the incredibly helpful posts on this site. (Thanks, everyone!) thumbsupsmileyanim.gif

Slowly, the picture starting coming together and when I finally ventured out in the hills with my backpack stuffed with garden tools (hand-held rake, shovel, hammer, pry bar) it wasn't long before I started noticing interesting stones just lying along the road. Covered with dust and iron oxide, but I threw everything in my pack; and when I got home and cleaned them with a toothbrush and mild dishsoap, I found some neat stuff - not museum pieces, but very cool! (Check out the photos I posted.) Some stuff I was able to identify, others I'm still not sure. But I'm learning.

Just as important is the valuable information on this site concerning the BIG trouble and legal pitfalls a newbie can step into unawares, just by wandering onto someone's claim. Thanks to the advice on the CP forums, I stopped by the Pikes Peak Ranger District office in Colorado Springs, got a Pike National Forest Map, figured out that "T" means "Township" and "R" means "Range" and how to plug the numbers into the free online LR2000 and generate a list of active, closed, and pending claims for anywhere I go. (As some members have pointed out, one would do well to double-check claims with the Bureau of Land Management.)

Perhaps what I'm doing seems pitifully elementary - but, like I said, we all started somewhere. For me it's exciting, and a huge confidence builder to know I'm Doing It Right.
Again, a big Thank-You to all the CPers - and welcome, NewRockHounder!

p.s. Anyone else have a "CP Story" to tell? happy070.gif
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MikeS
post Jul 13 2014, 09:41 PM
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I have had a hard time finding any rockhounding equipment at stores in Denver area except for rock hammers. For chisels look at ordering them online.
I am not a "expert" rockhounder but have been rockhounding for fun for years and just recently decided to get more serious about it. Just staked my first claim. I have been itching to go to devils head area for a while. Most of my adventures have been just 15 miles west of Devil's Head near the Tarryall Mountains. The material is prob. similar to Devil's Head. If you are going any weekends coming up soon let me know. I'll try to meet up with you. I can give you some advice and see if we can find the pockets that your quartz are coming from. thumbsupsmileyanim.gif


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CP
post Jul 16 2014, 03:09 PM
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Thank you RhodoRose for sharing your "CP Story" that's awesome! cheers.gif CP_Member.gif Great idea too....anyone else have a "CP Story" to share? anyone.gif

Congratulations on your new claim Mike! happy088.gif Bet you are excited about that and best of luck with it too.

For chisels, I would think you could find them at the local hardware stores. Last time I bought a couple we tried out the kind with the rubber shock absorbing handle piece. That seemed to work well with a little protection (word used lightly giggle.gif ) ring at the top in case your aim gets a tad bit out of alignment at times. Dang sledge hammers do not make happy contact with the wrist! wacko.gif cry.gif OUCH!


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NewRockHounder
post Jul 16 2014, 10:14 PM
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[quote name='RhodoRose' date='Jul 12 2014, 06:48 PM' post='32410']

Hi Rockhounder -

Just as important is the valuable information on this site concerning the BIG trouble and legal pitfalls a newbie can step into unawares, just by wandering onto someone's claim. Thanks to the advice on the CP forums, I stopped by the Pikes Peak Ranger District office in Colorado Springs, got a Pike National Forest Map, figured out that "T" means "Township" and "R" means "Range" and how to plug the numbers into the free online LR2000 and generate a list of active, closed, and pending claims for anywhere I go. (As some members have pointed out, one would do well to double-check claims with the Bureau of Land Management.)

Can you post the site to use please, or message it to me. Thanks.


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MikeS
post Jul 17 2014, 07:52 PM
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Thanks CP. I am very excited. Be careful with the hardware store chisels. Many of those are not designed for hard rock. Some are for wood, some are for metal and some are for Masonary. On The Home Depot website they sell good Estwing ROCK Chisels that are made for hard rock, but I only see rock hammers in the stores. I almost always use eye protection when chiseling hard rock but I am a bit of a safety nut. Plus I like to see what I am doing instead of squinting.


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fenixsmom
post Oct 30 2014, 11:47 AM
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So my golden desires have led me into cracking river rocks. I have hopes of finding a hidden vein and/or stuck pickers. (Can't be too optimistic on this one) I picked up some little chisels and own a carpenter's hammer. Needless to say, it isn't working as well as I had hoped. Live and learn right? So I need a new shopping list.
Eastwing ROCK chisels (thanks Mike!)
Sledge hammer probably a 4-5 lb'r (thanks Colin!)
Stiff wire brush
Jewlers loupe what 40x?
Safety glasses.

Any other things that anyone can suggest to make life easier? I'll probably be targeting 25-50 lbs rocks, maybe the smaller ones for crushing fun!
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Caveman
post Oct 30 2014, 12:30 PM
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I would not go anymore than 20x on the loupe, above that, they get darn difficult to use. Most Jewelers use 10x, and diamonds ae graded using a 10x loupe as the grades are standardized for 10x magnification.


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MikeS
post Oct 30 2014, 03:57 PM
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QUOTE (fenixsmom @ Oct 30 2014, 12:47 PM) *
Jewlers loupe what 40x?

Mine is a 15x loupe. I bought it from Naja Tool & Supply for $20. it has a wide lens and viewing area which is helpful in the field. I can barely tell the difference from a 20x except most of those have a smaller viewing area.


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Caveman
post Oct 30 2014, 04:06 PM
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You are right on there... the reason I bought the one I have is because it was inexpensive, well made, and had an LED lamp.


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fenixsmom
post Oct 30 2014, 04:17 PM
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Thank you Scott and Mike!
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rrhobdy
post Jan 22 2015, 03:59 PM
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QUOTE (NewRockHounder @ Jul 7 2014, 06:59 PM) *
Oh hello, didn't see you come in.. I was wondering about rock chisels.. what should I use and where to get them? I don't have a mining store close to me, so that's outta the question. =( Does Ace hardware sell such things? Also be nice if someone answered my other post about polishing, I'm at a loss. Also, also, looking for an expert rock hounder to take me under his/her wing and show me some (not all) of the ropes, as I'm just digging where-ever I see quartz on the surface... obviously following it up the hill side to the possible source, but three trips of three day camping/excavating (by hand, no permit, no claim) and only two smokey quartz, one of which is busted in half, tho it's four inches long.. still sucky) is no way, in my opinion to rock hound.. yes I'm new to all this, but that's pretty sad.. tho I will say, something over nothing... any/all help would be appreciated.





You might pick up some concrete or brick chisels from Lowe's or Home Depot. You can also get some small pry bars for scraping out cracks, and vugs there also. LoL.

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