highplainsdrifter
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,266
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Post by highplainsdrifter on Sept 30, 2009 21:30:22 GMT -5
Dan: Looking at your wonderful cabs brings a question to mind. I notice in your pics that I never even see a glimpse of a bezel. My Genie, when I got it years ago, came with a bezel block out of plastic that when I use it creates a bezel that is not perpendicular to the face of the stone but rather slants back at a slight angle so the base of the stone is actually a bit larger than the face of the stone before I start to cut the crown. I always figured this was to facilitate mounting in factory settings but since I'm self taught, am I assuming wrong? Since I can never see a bezel on your stones in your pics, I'd assume your bezels are either perpendicular or even undercut so the top is larger than the base. Is this so? I'd really like to achieve the kind of quality you turn out ( probably impossible *L*) and am still learning....Mel Mel: I use a perpendicular bezel. I've used the angle block before and I really don't like it. I also think square edges are easier for wrapping. I've switched to using a gryphette(sp?) bit for preforming square edges on my stones. When I set a stone in jewelry, I use a very slight undercut so the top "bulges" a little out of the setting. This helps hide any misfit. Another tip is to use a very sharp aluminum pencil for templating, so you have a very thin line to grind right up to. Dan
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Sept 30, 2009 22:24:35 GMT -5
Dan, Thanks for the information. I'll have to go back to the drawing board and figure out how to adjust my platform so the edges are perpendicular....Mel
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steelandstone
has rocks in the head
Member since September 2008
Posts: 500
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Post by steelandstone on Oct 1, 2009 19:12:02 GMT -5
Great batch of cabs but I'm not convinced some of them are cabs because the look more like highly polished designer mirrors.
Just awesome bat cave jasper.
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Post by stoner on Oct 1, 2009 23:06:42 GMT -5
Excellent work, the Bat is very cool.
Mel, when you cut cabs for people who make their own settings, the bezel should be slanted slightly inward and the back edge should be beveled. The angled bezel makes it so when the bezel wire is rolled over the stone, it's form fitting, and the bevel on the back makes it easier for the stone to sit flat against the back.
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