Great Book for stone workers.

["John Klassen" <jaklassen2001@zzzzzzzzzzzz>]

Hello All,
I have been wondering what I could contribute to you all.

There is a fantastic old book out the called "The Art Of The Lapidary".  The author's last name is "Spiersen".  I hope I remembered the spelling correctly.

I have only been able to borrow it from the library and have done so on several occasions. Haven't been able find a copy to buy.

This book is chalk full of ways to make your own tools and setups for gemcarvers.  It has a section on making custom diamond tools as well.

The section I have made the most use out of particularly is making my own custom sized core drills out of pieces of slotted metal tubing using silicon carbide grit for the abrasive.  The largest I have made and used is 3.5 inches diameter.

This involves the use of a metal lathe to make the mandrel but for tube sizes at about 1/2inch to fit in a drill press it is a cheap way to drill a couple of holes in hard stone without buying an expensive diamond core bit.  This technique may take a little longer but you might find with practice you could break fewer stones

This book is more geared for gemcarvers but I think there is a great deal of info for anybody working with stone.  I certainly hope that everyone gets a crack at such a good read.

John

jaklassen2001@------------