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JimT
- Posts: 3247
- Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2014 1:57 pm
#2
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by JimT » Fri Feb 20, 2015 2:23 am
Good sequence, images, and story of gneiss rock. If you haven't yet you should share how you shave them so thin.
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The QCC
- Posts: 397
- Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2014 10:13 pm
#3
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by The QCC » Fri Feb 20, 2015 2:33 am
I have to admit I use an electric razor.
Oh!
You meant the rocks.
I tried making comminuted samples with very little success. So I bit the bullet and purchased my thin section slides from a supplier in China. They are high quality and 1/3 to 1/5 the cost of slides sold in North America.
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JimT
- Posts: 3247
- Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2014 1:57 pm
#4
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by JimT » Fri Feb 20, 2015 3:01 am
"Electric razor"
Doesn't that dull the blades and hurt your face?
Would chipping a sliver off and rubbing on various grades of emery paper work? I would like to try some.
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The QCC
- Posts: 397
- Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2014 10:13 pm
#5
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by The QCC » Fri Feb 20, 2015 3:18 am
The process for making thin sections without automated machinery is labour intensive and slow.
To end with a 3um thin slice that is 3um from end to end takes hours of grinding with at least four different grits of emery.
In a nut shell this is what you do.'
Chip off a small piece of rock about 1cm sq.
Grind and polish one surface flat and very smooth.
Glue (clear epoxy cement) the flat side to a glass slide.
Grind and polish the the glued rock to 3um using 200, 400, 800 & 1200 grit emery.
Hint: Take two strips of 3um shim stock and wrap them around the ends of the slide. This acts as thickness gauge
If you do not have the patience of Job, spread the job out over several days.
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JimT
- Posts: 3247
- Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2014 1:57 pm
#6
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by JimT » Fri Feb 20, 2015 2:56 pm
Thanks for the instructions. Now if I can just locate Job.