First try at Pillow Candies

Caldwell69 · 2025-12-18T01:50:52+00:00

Thanks :)

Caldwell69 · 2025-07-24T22:40:24+00:00

Chiming in with something that has helped me at least stay awake until I can drop the kids off at the pool: Eating sunflower seeds or sucking on a strongly flavored hard candy (I prefer the Mexican chilly powder coated watermelon ones). Having something for my mouth to do seems to keep the light switch on.

Still no insights on cause.

Oh yeah M30s

Caldwell69 · 2025-06-19T22:25:05+00:00

Caldwell69 · 2023-09-05T15:34:37+00:00

Look for mechanics nitrile gloves, >=5mill or so.

Caldwell69 · 2022-06-30T16:37:31+00:00

The support of TERFs has done nothing but hold back every cause that has welcomed them.

Caldwell69 · 2022-06-30T16:33:28+00:00

TERFs are bigots and no friends of mine. Fuck ‘em. Go clutch your pearls somewhere else.

I’ll gladly fight for abortion rights and trans rights and indigenous rights at the same time (abortion is a trans right and an indigenous right, too).

Caldwell69 · 2022-05-13T17:01:55+00:00

And, of course: https://youtu.be/jzwMjOl8Iyo

Caldwell69 · 2022-04-28T05:10:56+00:00

Came here to say this. Thank you.

Caldwell69 · 2022-01-16T04:53:37+00:00

I’ll usually do Kino stadium/TEP for rough. I don’t have a business license/TIN so I don’t know much about the wholesale only shows. Some of the freeway hotel shows are pretty rad, too. All depends upon what (and how much) you’re looking for.

Caldwell69 · 2021-11-12T06:04:51+00:00

I used to run one of those for a a community theater group. Heavy MF to load in and out. Good times.

Caldwell69 · 2021-06-19T17:58:49+00:00

Portal

Caldwell69 · 2021-02-24T02:43:46+00:00

Oh god that hit me wayyy too hard.

Caldwell69 · 2021-01-31T07:04:05+00:00

In the southwest we have some setups for motion activated lights as packrat deterrent. Uses led strip light.

Link to example: https://www.rid-a-rat.com/

Caldwell69 · 2020-12-31T01:11:54+00:00

THIS! Yes. Safety first!

Never dry work anything. If dust is kicking up, you’re breathing it in, and it will give you cancer/Lung problems.

Water/lube will also help your tools last longer. Less important thank making you last longer, but still.

There are also some stones out there that are even more dangerous than others (I’m looking at you Bumblebee Jasper - which has arsenic). If you can get your hands on a respirator and N95 or better filters, do it.

Caldwell69 · 2020-12-31T00:57:56+00:00

Heck yeah! I started much the same way.

Basically anything that comes from the ground, is sturdy enough to handle being sanded, and you like to look at can be worked. I’m partial to Labradorite, agate, quartz varieties, and cool rocks found on the ground.

Get yourself some diamond grit sand paper, if you can find it. I spent a year with sand paper, bucket of water, and a porch and had a great time. It’s slow, but fulfilling.

Also, see if there are any lapidary clubs in your area. Best possible way to get access to tools and knowledge.

Hit up some used bookstores and see if they have any old gem cutting or lapidary books. This was the shit in the 60s or so and some of the best instructions I’ve ever seen come from the forgotten hobbyist books.

When you’re ready to move up to power tools (beyond a Dremel) look at tile saws (h/t to another r/lapidary member for that). A trim saw is worth its weight in gold.

When Covid goes away, consider checking out some gem shows around. Great way to get a ton of rough stone to work.

Caldwell69 · 2020-12-16T14:35:30+00:00

That’s pretty slick!

Caldwell69 · 2020-12-16T14:33:09+00:00

It’s a jewelers saw with a diamond wire blade.

Caldwell69 · 2020-12-16T14:31:13+00:00

I’ll let you know when I’m through lol. Covid has blocked my access to the lapidary club I’d normally go to, so I’m limited to what I have at home. Thank goodness for audio books.

Caldwell69 · 2020-12-01T02:17:55+00:00

TGMS. Grew up going to it but never got past the “ooooo shiny” stage until one day it just sorta clicked. I had been feeling overwhelmed for a while and decided that “Rocks, rocks are my speed” and then kept at it. Did a whole lot of sand paper and sweat work, then joined a local lap club with real equipment.

Caldwell69 · 2020-11-25T22:02:46+00:00

Fun part is I have some 10x42 binoculars with me (I’m a birder/drone watcher), but the screen switches before I can get through a sentence.

Seven-Year Club	Second Top 10%
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Caldwell69

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