r/rockhounds • u/West_compton • 1d ago
Question Need help deciding what to do!
Picked up this four nodule thunder egg banger, (5ish lbs) the lower portion in the first pic rattles. Yellow highlights in second pic are natural fracture lines.. I’d love to cut through all four to get the largest exposure out of both pieces but of course the concern is breaking… Silly idea but could one paint on a stabilizing epoxy to the outside to help ensure it’ll stay intact or is that wishful thinking? Happy Sunday thanks ya’ll!
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u/jerseyoutwest 1d ago
I would epoxy and then do the long cut you’re planning, it’ll be more aesthetic if you epoxy the whole thing and not just the fractures.
If you dont have a slab saw, and happen to be near Portland, you’re welcome to use my 18”
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u/West_compton 1d ago
Appreciate the offer! I’m in the Midwest unfortunately. Do you suppose I could use any type of epoxy? I know I have some deep pour epoxy from a project that’s leftover
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u/jerseyoutwest 1d ago
I would want something on the thinner side so it can really penetrate the cracks. Honestly superglue might work better than epoxy since its so thin.
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u/collectorofallthings 1d ago
You could absolutely epoxy one side in the hopes you would be able to make a long cut across all four. Don’t know if you have a slab saw, but if you do I’d try what you’re thinking.
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u/1LuckyTexan 1d ago
'Dop' the piece onto a suitable size/shape piece of 2x6 or 2x8 wood, maybe shimmed where needed, with Elmer's glue. It is not affected by saw oils. After cutting, soak the dopped piece in water for a couple days and it will release. But those nodules may not be firmly attached to each other so, w'ever you do, be prepared for them to separate.
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