May 2003 Happ`y Mother`s Da`y

MONTHLY BULLETIN OF THE MINERAL & GEM SOCIETY OF CASTRO VALLEY, INC
May 2003
Board Meetings at the Shop
May 12, 2003· 7:30 p.m.
June 9, 2003 -7:30 p.m.
General Meetings at Mt. Eden Presbyterian Church,
26236 AdPian Ave., Hayward
May 14, 2003 - 7:30 ~m.
June 11, 2003 - 7:30 p.m.
May Refreshments will be provided by the Society
in honor of our anniversary
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Happ'y Mother's Da'y
E-Mail: mgscv@yahoo.com
www.mgscv.com
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MINERAL AND GEM SOCIETY OF CASTRO VALLEY, INC. PETROGRAPH
MAY 2003
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This is the bulletin of the MINERAL AND GEM SOCIETY OF CASTRO VAllEY, INC., a member of the
California Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc., and the American Federation of Mineralogical
Societies.
BULLETIN POLICY
Anonymous contributions cannot be considered for publication in the Petrograph. However, if requested,
the contributor's name will be withheld from the published material. The sources of other material will be
indicated for proper credit. Permission is granted to reprint Petrograph articles when credit is given .
2003 OFFICERS
Elected
President - larry Ham .. ... ......... .................... ........ ................................................... (510) 547-5906
Vice President - Mary Howell ................................................................................ (510) 537-3702
Secretary- Betty Milam ............................. solidcedar@attbLcom .......................... (510) 732-6717
Treasurer - Mike Alves ........................................................................................... (510) 657-7438
1st Year Director - Jane Panico '03, '04, '05.
2nd Year Director '02, '03, '04 - Walt Klas ........ .. .................................................... (510) 537-7706
3rd Year Director '01, '02, '03 - Rick Davis ............................................................ (510) 477-0884
Federation Director '02, '03, '04 - Ron Hasemeyer .... .. ................................... ....... (510) 886-1747
Shop Foreman - Beth Farmer ..................... bethfarmer@aol.com ... ......... .............. (510) 538-3092
2003 Show Chairman .................................................................................................................... .
Membership - Candy Jones ............................. ...................................................... (925) 671-7844
Editor - Cheryl Archer '02, '03 ....................... clsagitta@msn.com .......................... (510) 889-7808
Past President - Bonnie Andrade ... ...................................... .. ... ...................... .... .... (925) 625-4393
Appointed
Shop Steering Committee Chair - Willy Kochendorfer ............................................ (510) 582-7278
Scholarship Chair - Mike Alves .............................................................................. (510) 657-7438
Special Shop Fund Administrator - Willy Kochendorfer .......................................... (510) 582-7278
Librarian - Fern Brown ........................................................................................... (510) 357-1326
Historian - Jamie McDonald ........................ jantares@msn.com ............................ (510) 889-7808
Purchasing Agent - Horace Robertson .................................................................. (510) 278-1085
Education Coordinator - Shirley Buschke .................................... .......................... (510) 797-0744
Field Trip Coordinator - H.E. Neilson ..................................................................... (510) 784-1262
Parliamentarian - Doc Buschke .............................................................................. (510) 797-0744
Receptionist - Dolores Barnes ............................................................................... (510) 635-2481
Host/Hostess - Dolores Barnes ............................................................................ (510) 635-2481
Sunshine Reporter - Mary Howell .......................................................................... (510) 537-3702
Door Prizes - AnneMarie Kochendorfer ................................................................ (510) 582-7278
Web Master - David Howell ........................... mgscv@yahoo.com .......................... (510) 537-3702
•••f~~
PUBLIOATION STAFF
Typists Betty Milam, Beth Farmer
Reporters All MGSCV Members I Rock Rumbles, Gem of the Month Shirley Buschke
Field TripS/Shows Ron Hasemeyer Silent Auctions/Juniors/Shop Safety Jane Panico
Assembly Crew Charlette Snyder, Jeanette Garetto, Dan Littman
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Petrograph
1
May 2003
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lIdANotes-tram the Editorllif'A
The. latest incidents at the shop are really discouraging to.those of us who have used the_
shop for many years in it$ several locations, We
have always been able to rely on the courtesy
and common sense ofoUf-fellow members, and
their respect for our materiajs and equipment;
and we extend the same respect to what is
theirs.
Minutes of the Board Meeting
April 7, 2003
President Larry Ham called the meeting to order
at 7:30pm. Elected officers present Larry
Ham, Mary Howell, Mike Alves, Jane Panico,
Ron Miller, Walt KIas, Betty Milam, Ron
Hasemeyer, Beth Farmer, Cheryl Archer.
AppOinted officers present: Fern Brown; Doc
Buschke, Jamie McDonald. Visitor: Artand
Stokes
It would seem that neither common sense_no!
common c.Qurte..sy are very. c,ommOn. WO.uJd. YO,U
tike to take a ctoser look at that piece in someone else's tool box,. or at their work place? Ask
before you touch! Most- membeNt are willing to
let you have a better look, but the piece may be
especially fragiJe(you CAN'T always teU by
looking), or it may be- a part of an assembly that
has-been glued and hasn't yet dried. They may
be willing to. pick it up and put it in your hand, or
atte.asttum ittQ varlou.s a,ngte..s. for yo.u. And
Sonie people just don't tike works in progress
being handled by others, no matter how carefutly: They have a right to refuse, and-the
obligatio.n to. do so poHtely.
)
Minutes~ Cheryl A. moved and Jane P.
seconded that the minutes of the March 2003
Board Meeting be accepted as printed in the
Petrograph. Motion carried.
Treasurer's report: Mike Alves presented the
March 2003 Profit and loss and Register Reportthru 3/31/03. Beth F. moved and Walt K.
seconded to accept the March 2003 Treasurer's
report as presented. Motion carried.
Committee Reports.:
Shop Foreman: Beth Farmer reported that 4
more diamond wheels and 1 trim saw have been
replaced. Show items have been moved to
storage and we're beginning a thorough shop
clean up. Harry Sommers has donated a show
cabinet to the club. It must be picked up from
Fremont. The shop locks have been changed.
There will be a meeting of shop foremen to go
over the rules. Those with keys are to keep the
shop open only during posted hours. Late night
hours are not acceptable.
We've received quite a bit of donated material
lately. In order to prepare it for sale to our members, it must be examined and priced- We have
also heard that some members: wanUQ be ~early
birds" and buy the material while it is in the process of being prepared; tn order thafall mem'"
bers· have an equal opportuRity to buy this
material, members who are handHng' the dona-tionshave .told me that EARLY BIRDS WlLl
NOT BE ENTERTAINED. Wise old (and young}
owlS. will realize that this in the best interest of
the mQst memb_er$,. and, noJfowt at.aB.
Show Chairman: Ron Mitter said only 4 people
attended the wrap up meeting. Next year there
will be 2 door prize drawings an hour - one in
Room 6. and the other in Room 7 - 1 on tne hour
and the other on the half hour. People will get
tickets for both rooms as they enter the show.
There was a good profit from this years shaw.
Less was spent on advertising; less expenses
overall; high attendance. Perhaps the articles in
the local paper increased attendance. We
discussed changing the program to fit on one
page to cut down on that expense.
If there is a common theme to this rant, it is
respect for property. It doesn't take a great leap
to extend this respect to shop tools and equip..
ment. When you see someone abusing shop
equipment, do you speak up, or do you think
"Oh, it's just the club's equipment'?" Have you
considered that the club's equipment IS, in a
way, your equipment? It is, you know, If someone were using the equipment in your shop at
home the way they were using itaHhe shop,
would you speak up? If you'd speak-up in your
personal shop; you should speak up at the.
club~ s shop. If you dOn't feel· comfortablespeaking directly to the person, leave Beth a
note in her message box and she wUI take care
af it. Eq.uipriient abuse cO.s ts all.of us,
Editor::. C~ryl Archer repqrted the labels carne
1 week late so the Petragraph didn't get mailed
out as usual. Charlotte S. has been doing an
excellent job of getting the Petrograph
assembled and the members. - Cheryt said
to
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Petrograph
2
she has new responsibilities and will not be able
to attend all Board meetings.
May 2003
Ron H. moved and Walt K. seconded that the
club sell the Peterson estate at Rio Grande's
price less 20% until all the items are sold. 9
yeas; Larry H. abstained. Motion carried.
Librarian: Fern Brown reported some new
paperbacks were donated. Some are on the
shelves and some will be left out for open
house. New magazines are on the shelf.
)
It was the consensus of those present that the
Peterson estate be put on sale for the first time
at the open house April 27, 2003.
Historian: Jamie McDonald reported 9
members with 20 years or more membership will
be acknowledged at an upcoming meeting . 2
members have 45 years in membership. A
lifetime membership is awarded to any member
with at least 10 years of membership and
outstanding service over and above any job they
have been elected to do.
Art Howe"'s Estate: The estate is available to
the club. The son asked the club to make
lump sum offer and take it away. The Board
discussed the items, the price, the manpower
and the storage. Mary H. moved and Ron M.
seconded to decline the offer. Motion carried.
a
Cash Box: Doc B. announced his cash box was
found today in the shop. The record book was
inside, but the cash was gone.
Ron H. moved and Ron M. seconded to approve
a Special Award to be presented at an upcoming
meeting. Motion approved.
Carving: Ron H. asked if there is an interest in
carving among the club members. Information
is being posted on the bulletin board in the shop.
Jamie McD. said the 2003 Show Book would be
finished by the next Board meeting.
Junior Mentor: Jane Panico had no report this
month. There have been a lot of new members,
but not many juniors.
County Fair: Jamie McD. asked if anyone is
interested in putting together a case at the
Alameda County Fair. Jamie would advise. It
was the consensus to announce this at the
General meeting .
Field Trips/Federation: Ron Hasemeyer had
no report this month.
Larry called the meeting closed at 8:52pm.
Respectfully submitted by
Betty Milam, Secretary.
Sunshine: Mary Howell reported get-well cards
were sent to Horace Robertson who is
undergoing treatment, and to his wife was
hospitalized again for an infection.
Minutes of the General Meeting
April 9, 2003
Scholarship: Mike Alves had no report.
Education: Doc reported Shirley Buschke is
talking to the members to set up one-day
classes in wire wrap and soldering. These will
be posted for the open house.
President Larry Ham called the meeting to order
at 7:30pm.
There were 50 members present. Welcome
guests were Norm Kidder, East Bay Regional
Park District, and Wendy W. No new members
were present.
Unfinished business: None
New business: Peterson Estate: The Board
discussed how to price the items from Pete
Peterson's estate before putting them out for
sale to the members. Several Board members
have been busy categorizing and pricing the
items. The club will retain items for the shop
that can be used by all members. Doc is making
a thank you gift for Mr. Peterson's family from
one of the better pieces.
Kathy moved and Charlotte S. seconded to
accept the March 2003 General Meeting
minutes as presented in the Petrograph. Motion
carried.
Jane Panico is running the silent auction.
Mary Howell introduced Norm Kidder who is an
expert on the history of the First People of the
Bay Area. His web site is
www.primitiveways.com. Mr. Kidder presented
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Petrograph
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May 2003
3
an interesting discussion of the lifestyle of the
California Indians before the arrival of the
Spanish. He first became interested in the local
Indians while working at Coyote Hills. It is
estimated that the settlement near there had
been occupied for 22 to 30 centuries. Mr.
Kidder displayed many artifacts used by the
Indians and demonstrated the use of several
tools. He said that by 1820 none of the Indians
were still living in their original villages.
Mike Alves, Treasurer, is looking for a
replacement. Anyone with knowledge of
accounting is encouraged to come forward.
Committee Reports: Shop Foreman: Beth
Farmer said improvements are being made to
the shop. A total of 6 new diamond wheels have
been installed. Treat them with care. There are
2 new sanding wheels and a new trim saw.
There is equipment for sale that will be formally
offered during open house. Items from upstairs
have been moved to the trailer on Doc's
property. Any member with a good idea, can
pass the idea on by leaving a message in the
wooden box by the grit sink.
The date for Open House is Sunday, April 27
from 10am. Tailgaters are welcome. The club
will supply hotdogs, but the club members are to
bring goodies for the potluck. Cleanup is
Saturday, April 26 at 9am . Bring rags.
Jamie McDonald is looking for someone to take
over the Alameda County Fair exhibit for the
th
club. She will continue to advise. May 10 is
the last date to enter the exhibit in the Fair. The
member is given 2 free passes and free parking.
Details are at the shop.
Show Chairman: Ron Miller reported the show
this year was very successful. The Treasurer,
Mike Alves, said several bills are still
outstanding.
Larry Ham reported Pete Peterson passed away
and left the club many items. They will be
available for sale at the open house. Items left
from the Hall estate will also be on sale. Arland
Stokes made some chain extensions requested
by Helen Peterson. Doc B. carved a nugget into
a flower and presented it to Helen as a thank
you for all the many items that were donated to
the club. Some very unusual turquoise was
included in the donation.
Editor: Cheryl Archer said that she plans to list
in the Petrograph a brief job description of the
various positions in the club. This will probably
occur in the Fall over a 3 month period.
AnneMarie Kochendorfer announced the winner
of the members' attendance drawing was
Teresa Taniguchi of Hayward, but she wasn't
present to collect the $100.
Library: The library will be opened in the
evening of the 4th Monday of each month.
Door prizes were won by: Wendy W.; Jamie
McDonald; AI Youngquist; Mark Montgomery;
Naomi Morgan; Donna Pedvin; Bill; Jane
Panico; and Diane Alves
Field trips/Federation: Ron Hasemeyer
reported the Federation has listed new rules on
their web site. It is a 100-page manual.
Education: Shirley Buschke reported there will
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be a beading demonstration on May 10 from
10am to noon. Also planned is a square wire
demonstration on May 24th. The details will be
posted at the shop. Instructions in wax and
beads continue on Tuesday evenings, and
Shirley teaches lost wax on Wednesday
mornings. Jamie McDonald said she is
available to teach square wire on Wednesdays
only from 11am to 2pm. Willie has been
instructing cabs every Monday night for a very
long time. He is looking for someone to help
him out. Please volunteer if you feel
comfortable with making cabs.
PAtrnnrAnh
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10pm
Respectfully submitted by,
Betty Milam, Secretary
ENHANCED SHOP HOURS - WEDNESDAY
Dan Littman
The shop will be open every Wednesday from 4
p.m. to 9 p.m. starting in April. I plan to be there
every week (except for emergencies and
vacations), so if you've missed working at the
shop on Wednesdays, come on down. I'll try to
arrive by 3 p.m., but can't guarantee it, so if
you're chomping at the bit, call the shop to make
sure it's open. Look forward to seeing you
there!
MAV 2nn~
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Petrograph
4
Rock
Rumbles
Shirley Buschke
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so he had a party with every visit. He was
winded from blowing out candles .
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If you went to the San Mateo show, you
probably got rained on but hard. It is so far to
walk from the parking lot, they should add a
jitney to transport people, especially since it
costs $7 to park.
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What wonderful members we have!. ""
The Hall estate, the widow of George Colville,
and now the widow of Del Peterson has
remembered us. Helen Peterson asked Beth
Farmer and Arland Stokes to pick up her
husband's rocks and equipment. Currently, Doc
Buschke is pricing the turquoise, Mary Howell
the silver, and Beth Farmer, Larry Ham, Jane
Panico and Willy Kochendorfer are pricing rocks
and minerals. They are also pricing equipment.
All of this will be offered for sale soon.
Jane Panico looks great and is recovering from
her recent surgery. Another of our new members, Diana Adams-Cohoon is recovering from
hip surgery.
Don't forget the Alameda County Fair. Entry
deadline is May 10. The shop has the book of
information You get two passes and a free
parking spot. And, if you win a ribbon, you get
money. Larry is looking for a replacement to
take charge of our club case. Please, someone
volunteer. Jamie McDonald will help, but she
can't take charge this year.
And were does the money go? To support our
shop activities, rent, equipment replacement,
supplies, upkeep, telephone (yes, we pay for the
privilege of having the phone on our premises),
and the utility bill.
A recent Wednesday morning seemed like times
at the old shop. Bob Nakagii came in with two
dozen donuts. We almost always used to have
goodies donated. Somehow, members seemed
to take turns without a request. Goodies ranged
from cookies, to fruit, to AnneMarie's delicious
carrot cake.
Already we see some donations in the auction
case. It's never too early to start and donate.
This case is almost clear profit for the club.
Still trying to get Saturday workshop I
demonstrations started. We have had several
interruptions. One Saturday was used to pick up
the Peterson estate, another to get rid of trash
and load the trailer, and then another for
cleanup. So I will keep trying. The list will be
near the telephone at,the shop.
Bill Luna will be away from the shop for about a
month. He's been in the hospital.
§1l()W [)ATI:§ and r=II:L[)
Now here is a hint I have never seen before.
Purchase a child's dart set that comes with
suction cups. Wet and stick your stone on it.
It's supposed to work better than wax or glue. I
never heard of anyone trying it. Tell me how it
works.
Tl?IV§
(We recommend that you call or e-mail ahead
to verify dates and time if the information is
provided. This may save you time and
resources, especially if the trip takes you very
far afield.)
Another hint: You can get nice sharp inside
corners in wax work if you use superglue.
Lightly add glue to the piece you wish to add to
the model. Hold in place. It takes time. The
smallest amount will hold and the oven will burn
it out. It is not necessary to clean up inside wax
using this method.
r=1'[)I'V4TI{)~ §1l{)W§ ~()().1
June 5-8
Ventura, CA
AFMS/CFMS "Seaside
Gemboree 2003" Seaside Park,
formerly Ventura Fairgrounds)
10 W. Harbor Blvd.
Bob Backkus 818.347.2056
www.GemboreeBiz@aol.com
Or 818.883.7851
www.afms-cfmsgemshow.org
I guess birthdays of the decade are important.
Recently Walt Klas made one of those
milestones and he celebrated at many parties.
All his family could not attend at the same time ,
PAtrnnrAnh
May 2003
4
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PetrolJl.aph
May 2003
5
t::LUI3 §1i()W§ ~OO.1
Mountain Federation has been
this area for more
than 20 years, and will guide the
group to several of the major
collecting areas.
collect~ng - in
r=II:L() TVIV§
April6 Calaveras County, near San
Alternate date Andreas. Bird's eye serpentine.
April 20
Amador Co. Club contact:
Daryl Shelly (209) 296-0635, or
darylshelly@volcano.net
April 20Rain date
May 17
Soapstone Ridge, near
Coulterville, CA for
Soapstone. Calaveras Co. Club
Contact: Will Corey (209) 3835037.
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More Show Thank-Yous
Our apologies to Diane Alves and those brave and
hardy souls who guided the school children at our
show. Diane got her note to us in time, because of
production problems we had last month, the notice
failed to appear.
In April or May, Rattlesnake Bar, Folsom Lake,
CA for common opal. Roseville Rock Rollers
CJub: Contact: Jim Barton,-(9ta) 773-0458: or
geologist1 @surewest.net, or Bob Berg. 530633-4612 __
Thank you to all who volunteered to be school
children guides for the show. We even had a
non-member teacher; Valerie CavagHa, help
because she enjoyed bringing her classes in
prev~ou& years.
Memoriat Day
Weekend
Two members' adult children helped. Cheryl
Gullak and Whitney Alves. We really appreCiate
all of the help we can get!
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Texas Springs, NV
Tri-Federation Rockhound
Rendezvous and field trip
For information contact Richard
Pankey(925)439-7509,oremail him at
dickpankey@juno.com
A special thanks to those members who help
every year: Niki and Karl Churchill, Shirley
Buschke, Dolores Bames, and Jamie DeSpain.
Many, many thanks!
§VI:t::IAL i:XIiII3IT§
Diane and Mike Alves
~()§Ii()W§
May 2-4
May 22-25
PAtrnnl'Anh
Valley Springs
Snyder's 29th Pow Wow Show
and Field Trips
For information call (209) 7721265, see the website at
www.valleyspringspowwow.com
or e-mail snyders@caltel.com
VlNTA6E6EM
OF THE MONTH
Shirley Buschke
Texas Springs, NV
A Tri-Federation (Northwest,
Rocky Mountain and California)
trip. For information contact
Richard Pankey (925) 4397509, or e-mail him at
dickpankey@juno.com
Where: Texas Springs Canyon,
25 miles southeast of Jackpot in
the northeast corner of Nevada.
This time our vintage gem is
younger than most we have
featured. Our gem was born in Santa Monica
and joined the club in 1983. He visited the old
Purple Rock Shop (now gone) and asked about
faceting. The proprietor suggested he contact
the Mineral and Gem Society of Castro Valley and he did. There he found he had to start b~
making a cabochon. When he came back for
his second lesson, he discovered his instructor
had tickets for the A's game, so he finished on
his own.
Finds: Pink agate limb cases,
other agate and petrified wood.
Dean Richardson of the Rocky
Our gem also lived in linda Vista, Lancaster and
Yreka, where he graduated from high school.
Mav
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Petrograph
6
May 2003
J
From there he went to college in Weed and
graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
After graduation, he headed for Montana and
picked up various jobs. He tried his hand at
finding sapphires which he planned to facet. I
think they were still on one of his shelves, or
they may have been lost in the disastrous fire to
his home. This probably tells you who I am
writing about. He returned to California and tried
gold mining in the Sierras. He also found a job
in the Bay Area.
After finishing his cab, he learned faceting under
Russ Sanborn (a champion faceter) and our
librarian Fern Brown. His favorite part of
lapidary is still field trips and he has been
chairman of this committee, and been active in
the field trip society. Our gem has held several
offices in the club, has been president and is
currently our federation director. He has also
taught soldering. He usually works in the
kitchen at our show. He has also acted as a
judge for our lapidary competitions. And he
actually takes part of his vacation time to work at
the show. That's dedication.
Our gem has an extensive coltection of fossils
and miniature minerals. Many of his prize
possessions were lost in his home fire. He also
collects insect-eating plants. He works for the
State of California and his job has something to
do with meeting industrial standards of weights
and measures. Of course, by now you know he
is Ron Hasemeyer.
GEm OJ=TbE
mONTb
Shirley Buschke
This month we have a new member featured.
He was born in Pittsburg, California, at Camp
Stoneman. Old timers know this was an Army
base in World War II. He was an Army brat.
When his dad left the service, the family settled
in San Lorenzo and finally in Hayward. He is a
widower with an 18-year-old daughter who has
just been accepted at UC Berkeley.
He attended Chabot College and Cal State
University, Hayward, and graduated with a
degree in printmaking from the College of Arts
and Crafts. Somehow he ended up as a clerk in
the municipal court and he spent 18 years there.
He took care of his wife who was very ill and
PAtrnnrsanh
died eight years ago. Since then, he has been
self-employed.
He was interested in scrimshaw and while in
school he loved geology. Some of his friends
were jewelers (must have been from the days at
College of Arts and Crafts) and he decided to
get started in that field. He bought equipment
but, because of his wife's illness, he didn't
progress very far. He had attended many of our
shows and finally decided to take the plunge and
join us. As a college student, he liked to carve
and hopes someday to pursue this skill. In the
meantime he is relearning lapidary skills. He
has been a great helper at the show and in
packing our trailer. We need more members like
him.
His daughter's name is Kristina and his is Mark
Montgomery.
Thanks for the: Refreshments!
Thanks to Arlene Morris, Karl & Nlki Churchill
and ElOise Murata-Rudigar for the refreshments
at the April Meeting.
For the May meeting, the club will provide
refreshments for the Anniversary.
FROM THE SHOP
FOREMAN
Our diamond wheels will last longer (and if we
don't have to replace them as often, the
machines won't be down as much, and we'll be
spending less money on replacements), if we
follow these manufacturer's recommendations.
1. Use light to medium pressure when grinding
stones. Diamonds are extremely hard, but they
are also quite brittle, and can be easily shattered
by too much pressure or the bumping of a heavy
rock. The wheels cut best and will last longer
with light to medium pressure, and they will last
longer.
2. Use a steady rest to avoid uneven wear
patterns on the wheel. Steadying your hand
while grinding will help prevent bumping and
chattering that causes uneven and excessive
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Petrograph
7
wear on the wheels, and will also help prevent
damage to your stone.
If you are working with an irregularly shaped
slab, go slowly because it is easy to tilt and the
rock may grab the blade. Twisting can injure the
blade and make it unusable. One thing you can
do is flatten one side on the grinder so the flat
surface on one side makes it easy to cut.
Possibly you may need to make a series of
small cuts and finish shaping on the grider. This
is often necessary on curves.
3. Do NOT run the wheel d!1. A small amount
of water will normally do to keep the wheel wet.
This will prevent rock dust, will keep your stone
cool and stops the buildup of rock residue on the
wheel surface that can slow down cutting action.
When you are cutting softer materials, such as
onyx or turquoise, use more water, you need to
use more water to keep the stone clean.
Our trim saws are cooled with water. Be sLire
the water is running on the blade. And clean up
when you are through. If you have small chips,
put them in the container nearby. We use these
at the show for the country store prizes at the
wheel or sell jars to the kids. Proceeds go back
into the shop fund.
4. Use the entire surface of the wheel as you
cut. Avoid using just the center or edge or any
one area of the wheel. When grindin!!} crosses,
hearts, etc., be certain to grind with the
diamond-covered surface and not on the bare
metal side of the wheel. To do so will
undermine the diamonds and cause excessive
wear of the wheel edge.
In the front of the saw there is a metal shield that
helps prevent spray of water and debris on the
operator. The water is there to lubricate and
awash debris away. Eventually sludge develops
at the bottom of the tank as the rock dust sinks
and this must be cleaned up periodically. Be
sure to wipe the surface clean.
Proper Use of Equipment:
The Trim Saw
Shirley Buschke
Because we have so many new members, it
seems wise to repeat instructions on the proper
use of equipment. After orientation, the first
things a member is expected to do is complete a
cabochon. This introduces the member to the
basic tools used in our shop.
Brewster's Bell
Shirley Leeson Via AFMS Newsletter
Old -Zebediahwas -in the fertilized egg business.
He had several hundred young layers called
pullets, and -eight or ten roosters, whose job it
was to fertilize the eggs; Leb kept records, and
any rooster or pullet that didn't perform well went
into the pot and was replaced. That took an
awful lot of time, so Zeb got a set of tiny bells
and attached them to his roosters.
The trim saw is to be used for justwhatits name
suggests ~ to trim. It is not meanrtocut slabs.
That should be done o'n another saW. Ask one
of the saw men wMt to do. This includes glUing
your rock to a block of wood, writing instructions
on how you want the rock cut, putting your name
on the instructions and paying the saw man.
This money is used to buy more saw blades
when needed. Only those qualified by Willy or
Beth can use some of these saws.
Now he could sit on the porch and fill out the
report listening to the bells.
Zeb's favorite rooster was Old Brewster. A very
fine specimen he was, too. Only his bell had not
rung all morning. Zeb went to investigate.
Several roosters were chaSing pullets , bells aringing!, But Brewster had his bell in his beak so
it couldn't ring. He'd sneak up on a pullet, do his
job and walk on to the next one. Zeb was so
proud of Brewster that he entered him in the
county fair.
Back to the trim saw. Your slab should be
placed flat on the table of the aw. Trim off any
small chips that prevent you from doing this.
Mark the cut you want to make. Permanent
markets leave the best mark for you to follow.
Slowly feed the slab into the saw and cut only in
straight lines. The speed you use will come with
practice. Toughness and hardness of stones
varies. The speed you use will come with
practice. If you see sparks, you are feeding too
fast.
PAtrnnNlnh
May 2003
Brewster was an overnight sensation! The
judges not only awarded him the No-Bell Piece
Prize, he was also given the Pullet Surprise.
7
Mav
2nn::l
SHOP SCHEDULE
Monday -
10 AM - 12:30 PM Lapidary
7 pm- 9 pm Beginners only in
Lapidary
Tuesdays -10 AM -12:30 PM lapidary
7 PM - 9 PM Lapidary; Lost
Wax; Square Wire (1st and
3rd); Library open 7 - 9 p.m.
Wednesday -10 AM - 2:30 PM Lapidary;
Intarsia; Beading; Library
open 10 a.m. -12 noon
5 PM - 8 PM Lapidary
Thursday -10 AM - 2:30 Lapidary
6 PM - 9:30 PM Lapidary
Friday -10 AM - 2:30 PM Lapidary
5 PM - 8 PM Lapidary
Saturday - 9 AM - 5 PM Juniors; adults
with supervisor's approval
. cT)rD~=
;1_--'
..
'Airport
Deli Signs
Hesperian Blvd.
Air Nafl
Guard
To 880 ---+Clawiter
Saklan
Our Shop: 20948A Corsair Blvd
Hayward, CA
Telephone: (510) 887-9007
Note: The Shop is for the use of
members only.
)
PETROGRAPH
Bulletin of the
MINERAL AND GEM SOCIETY
OF CASTRO VALLEY, INC.
Cheryl Archer, Editor
P. O. Box 2145
Castro Valley, CA 94546
Dated MaterialfTime Value
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID .00
MAILED FROM ZIP CODE 94580
PERMIT NO. 42