TByrd
fully equipped rock polisher
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Member since December 2010
Posts: 1,350
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Post by TByrd on Jan 9, 2011 0:18:09 GMT -5
I was wondering how thick to cut a slab in order to cab it.
I am new and I do not know everything.
Thank you for your help,
Tammy
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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 Jan 9, 2011 0:29:19 GMT -5
Depends on dome contour you prefer. Most folks like 1/4" thick or even thicker for high domes. I prefer low domes and thinner cabs so I like 3/16". Thicker cabs, if large ones, are quite heavy and require lots more time on the grinding wheels....Mel
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cabjunky
has rocks in the head
Regency Rose Plume
Member since November 2008
Posts: 683
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Post by cabjunky on Jan 9, 2011 14:50:57 GMT -5
Most of the slabs that I sell are cut at 1/4" thick, but some of the really hard agates i will go down to 3/16" to save on everyones grinding wheels. I like a little higher dome on my cabs.
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TByrd
fully equipped rock polisher
Have you performed your random act of kindness?
Member since December 2010
Posts: 1,350
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Post by TByrd on Jan 9, 2011 16:38:32 GMT -5
Thank you, my other half will set that size when he sets up the slab saw.
Tammy
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Post by krazydiamond on Jan 9, 2011 16:58:37 GMT -5
thicker slabs make bigger cabs, thin ones make good for small cabs, earring size.
KD
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Post by frane on Jan 9, 2011 17:26:59 GMT -5
I generally prefer 1/4 inch. If you have a soft stone like calcite or Maraposite, I like them a little thicker because it is too easy to grind away needed mass. Fran
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amyk
fully equipped rock polisher
I'm a slabber, I'm a cabber, I'm a midnight wrapper.
Member since January 2010
Posts: 1,331
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Post by amyk on Jan 15, 2011 20:09:03 GMT -5
I make most of my slabs the thickness of a pencil. I don't know how thick that is. I hold a pencil upright against the blade and back up the stone to the pencil and adjust it so it is just as thick as the pencil. Although like Fran said I make it a little thicker if it is soft like onyx or calcite. Otherwise it gets too thin. I like a good dome on my cabs. The slabs I buy are usually too thin to get a good dome. So I have to use it to make smaller cabs. If I want to make a large cab with a good dome I also cut it a bit thicker than a pencil. Of course the pencil I keep by my saw is swollen with oil and won't write anymore. LOL
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Post by gr on Jan 15, 2011 20:41:24 GMT -5
Tammy, there's good advise in replys to your post. I cut up alot of slabs when I got my new saw, just to be cutting them with no plan as to what to use them for as a project. And they are all of different sizes (thicknesses). So now if I want to do say, an intarsia project , I have to dig thru all my slabs to find similar thicknesses; which is a pain. Do a little planning and don't waste your material is what I'm trying to say in all of this. Especially if you have to move snow to find a rock to cut. lol
Gary
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TByrd
fully equipped rock polisher
Have you performed your random act of kindness?
Member since December 2010
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Post by TByrd on Jan 15, 2011 22:01:51 GMT -5
Thank you to everyone for the advice, my other half is cutting them 6 mm thick. If that is not thick enough for a good cab, could you pm me and let me know, I appreciate all of the hints from you guys, it has been great.
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