RocknCritter
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 489
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Post by RocknCritter on Dec 22, 2008 21:00:16 GMT -5
This is a bit of a spinoff from the "12 TEMPLATES" thread. What are some sources of commercially available cab templates? The ones I know about are: CFC Jewelry Supply cfcjewelrysupplies.com/Pearson's Lapidary www.pearsons-uslj.com/ Houston Gem & Mineral Society www.hgms.org/And of course the red, blue and gold templates we all seem to get with our first grinder/sander/polisher. So what others are there? I've Googled this before and I didn't come up with much. Adrian & any of the other lapidaries on the other side of the ditch - are there any sources there? Since I have a background in apparel and sporting goods design, I have a bunch of French Curves. These are certainly useful. One of these days I'll have to learn CAD I'm always, always looking for new shapes.
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Post by Michael John on Dec 22, 2008 21:41:21 GMT -5
Well, quite some time ago,somebody on this forum was sharing cab template drawings which were handed-down to him from an ancestral relative. I don't remember who the member was, nor the relation, but the shapes in the drawings are phenomenal. I don't cab, but I requested the drawings out of curiosity, and I'm very glad that I did. I believe some of the shapes were inspired by Australian designs, nothing like I've ever seen anywhere else. Some of the designs even require a bit of carving (or Dremel) work.
Unfortunately, I don't think I have the right to share the drawings, as they were not given freely on the forum, they were obtained by requesting them via PM and they were then emailed to me. Hopefully, others will remember this, remember who the member was, and hopefully the member is still here and willing to share.
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Post by bobby1 on Dec 23, 2008 1:50:14 GMT -5
I routinely use drafting templates of ovals, elipses, rounds, etc. You can get them online but they can be pricey. Bob
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Post by Woodyrock on Dec 23, 2008 2:18:00 GMT -5
The handed down designs were from Maori concepts of New Zealand used mostly for the local Greenstone (nephrite) carvings. Not many stones other than jade would stand up these shapes. Woody
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Post by Michael John on Dec 23, 2008 3:29:46 GMT -5
Woody, was it you who sent me those template drawings?
Most of them would definately be quite labor intensive, and some are much more intricate than others, but I'd say the results would be well worth it. Of course, these are obviously very old designs, and probably were originally hand-carved. A dremel would make much faster work of it, as well as allowing the use of harder materials.
There ARE a few "normal" but different designs in these drawings which I really like, and others probably would, too.
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lapidopterix
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 216
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Post by lapidopterix on Dec 23, 2008 18:27:15 GMT -5
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RocknCritter
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 489
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Post by RocknCritter on Dec 24, 2008 12:58:29 GMT -5
Everytime I turn around there is something posted on this forum that is absolutely mind blowing.
These drawings and the story that goes with it are really amazing and inspiring. I zoomed in on some of the notes next to each design and it's been fun this a.m. reading everything.
I was surprised to see that obsidian was used for some. I had expected the jade but not this.
Has anyone on RTH actually cut/carved any of these?
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Post by Michael John on Dec 24, 2008 15:33:38 GMT -5
Critter, yesterday I Googled "Maori lapidary" and spent like an hour in absolute awe. In a way, it reminds me of native American art, as it's a wonderful culmination of the handed-down, ever-evolving craftsmanship which depicts their lives and cultures. I've always had huge admiration and respect for native American artwork, what it represents, and taking a little time to discover Maori artwork has opened a door of new interest for me. I've had these templates sitting on my puter for a long time, but hadn't previously considered "where they came from".
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Post by sparkles on Dec 28, 2008 8:11:02 GMT -5
I've been looking for Templates too, I only recently began this fun, and so far I have only one template from the standard UK supplier, it's a GEM-TEMP template, US made I believe?! Anyhow, I'm playing with some ideas in my lunchtimes, and will have some new templates soon CAD isn't required I can assure you, but a drawing package that has appropriate scaled printing will do fine. I shall just save my files out in either printable (PDF) or if I get it computer cut as a CAD (DWG) file at the final stage. Illustrator has excellent drawing tools and is much nicer to use for drawing. Other packages may offer similar functions. I love the cultural shapes and designs, those Maori / Antipodean designs are excellent! I love the looping hook shapes, but I can imagine they take some serious talent to cut and polish in stone! Top stuff folks! Thanks for the thread! ;D Cheers, Sparkles.
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RocknCritter
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 489
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Post by RocknCritter on Dec 28, 2008 10:07:06 GMT -5
Since there are three types of drawing software - 3D, illustration, and drawing and painting - maybe I should learn all three ;D I'm starting with CAD since it is the one most suitable for the cabochon designs I have in mind. Some of the ideas cross the line between cabs and carvings. It's also the only one that I can justify learning for work If you have any ideas for new templates you want to share, please post them here forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=buysell&action=display&thread=26757&page=3It would be nice to have some more member input.
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Post by stardiamond on Dec 28, 2008 12:25:44 GMT -5
Before I started cabbing, my wife collected cabs and bought from many sellers on ebay. I prefer to use templates when I design, but my wife likes to pick shapes from previous cut cabs. She puts tape on the bottom and traces around the edges with a pencil. There are a few drawbacks; the new cab is slightly larger than it's mother, I always draw twice, once before trimming and once after and I have to remember what the mother was to the new cab I am cutting.
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