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Hot take: I finally got a clean break on that stubborn piece of agate from the Oregon coast by heating it in the oven at 200 degrees for 15 minutes before tapping it with my rock hammer.
I was about to give up after three cold attempts just shattered it, but the gentle heat made it split along a perfect plane to reveal the banding inside, so what's your go-to method for tricky materials?
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lewis.diana18d ago
Honestly, the idea of putting rocks in my oven feels like a step too far. I just picture the whole thing cracking and ruining dinner. I'm glad it worked for you, but my method is still a solid whack and then accepting the pieces.
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the_henry18d ago
Ever try the old towel wrap trick? I had a chunk of chert that wouldn't budge, so I wrapped it tight in a wet towel and left it in the freezer overnight. The ice expanding in the tiny cracks gave me a much cleaner split than just hammering cold.
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