[meteorite-list] Unconventional Way To Cut Meteorites

From: David & Kitt Deyarmin <bobadebt_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2007 09:38:17 -0400
Message-ID: <006901c80367$28b51510$e3f33842_at_David>

Some of you may know that I collect 50mm Meteorite Spheres.

Since there are not a lot of them available I had to learn how to make them
myself, part of the process is cutting the rough material into a "sphere
rough".

I have 2 processes, one I use a core bit to create a 2.080 core which is
machined into a rough 50.25mm sphere.

The other is to cut a rough meteorite into a cube that's 52mm which is
machined into a rough 51mm sphere.

They both have advantages and disadvantages but I thought some of you might
like to know how I cut or "slice" my meteorites since I do not use a
conventional method.

I was not happy with the surface a band saw left on a slice I had to sand
and polish so I decided to try a different approach.

I purchased an MK-100 Brick/Paver Saw and made a few modifications

Here is a picture of the Saw with the Mods

A - This is the meteorite set in a block of Plaster of Paris. This keeps it
aligned so every slice is cut from the same orientation.

B - This is modified Milling Machine Vise. It's what holds the block in
place. I noticed that the block deteriorated as I cut more slices. This
created tapered slices. To fix this issue I augmented the vise with 2
pieces of angle aluminum which distributes the pressure one the block more
evenly

C - This is the depth stop which gives me consistent slice thickness. It's
just a bolt clamped to the table.

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p298/BobaDebt/Meteorites/MK-100.jpg


When cutting a meteorite into a rough I start at the small end and cut 3mm
slices until I get to a predetermined section and then I cut a 52mm section.
Then the rest is cut into 3mm slices

Once that's done I clamp the 52mm section in the vice 90 degrees to it's
original direction and cut each end until I get a 52mm x 52mm section.

This has to be re-set in plaster to make the final slices on the remaining 2
sides.

Each cut takes 15-30 minutes but it's worth the effort.

This method leaves the surface very smooth so I don't have to spend a lot of
time sanding off the saw marks which is a waste of time a material.
Received on Sun 30 Sep 2007 09:38:17 AM PDT