Sapphire Mining
 

I've taken over a sapphire mining claim in Central Queensland, Australia.
It allows for hand mining only (no powered equipment for digging).
The local Smith charges exorbitant rates for sharpening picks but if it ain't sharp it's labour intensive.

To the point.

Anybody know the process, or know of a link, (I have a small charcoal forge with an electric air pump so heat is abundant) for annealing/tempering?

Thanks in advance.

It depends on the type and grade of steel.
How does he do it? Anneal it, reshape the point, harden it and temper, rather then grinding/reshaping the point?

After the first sentence I was pretty sure this was going to be like one of those Nigerian scams.

You can always use your grinder and after each pass quench the piece with water. This method will allow you to re-sharpen the tool in question with out over heating the piece. I have used this method on chisels and knives with success. what you are doing in no different just bigger.

Spot on Bruce.
That way there is no constant reduction of the material.
After 5 hours of digging the point has gone from pencil sharp to pinky tip.
Too hard and the tip snaps off, too soft and it folds over immediately.
Thanks fargon.
Please send money and when the process is perfected i'll be able to reach the large pocket of sapphires spoken of by the oracle then we can share the fabulous riches.

:lol:

Got any picks (haha) of the mine/process/treasures so far? Curious dwellars want to see.....

I wonder if you should add a star drill to your repertory, then work around the hole with the pick? But, I suppose there's a danger of drilling through the "large pocket of sapphires spoken of by the oracle".

Where the sapphires density brings them to rest are also found large, tumble rounded 'billy' boulders. It's easiest to use a sharp pick and extricate these exposing the sapphire 'pockets' beneath. (optimism is a prerequisite)

Are explosives considered "powered equipment"?