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Post by Bluesky78987 on Nov 24, 2012 12:04:55 GMT -5
Ok, so I finally finished this (as good as it's going to get anyway). This is a composite cab of Labradorite rectangles, which are (supposed to be) oriented to all flash at the same angle. I'm kind of happy but not completely with how it came out -- somehow I screwed up some of the flash directions so you have to move it a bit to get all of them - there's a little video link below if anyone is interested in that. The photo highlights lots of other little problems too, oh well -- the rectangles are hard to get square and to glue square, and the E330 undercut at the polish stage, etc. I gave up on some scratches too. One piece switched from blue flash to pinstripes as I rounded it for the corner, that was annoying. I like it well enough to wear it for sure but I think I'll be sticking to triangle composite cabs in the future. The material is from Carleton and ebay (the orange pieces). The labradorite is kind of a pain because the pieces I had were different thicknesses, and you can't just glue the backs level and grind down the top, assuming the flash goes through. I glued the front down on some howlite (because it's soft and I have thin pieces lying around), then ground the back flat, then glued black agate on the back, then ground off the howlite on the flat lap, THEN started shaping the cab. In retrospect I could have just lapped the back of each one down until they were about the same thickness and glued to the backer, skipping the howelite step. Didn't think of that until just now though . . . sigh. Anyway, thanks for looking and hope somebody can learn from my mistakes! ;-) Video:
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keystonecops
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2010
Posts: 957
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Post by keystonecops on Nov 24, 2012 12:27:36 GMT -5
Looks good nuff to me to win the prize on Rock&Gem. I'd give it a shot. Later Clyde
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hubrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2011
Posts: 1,563
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Post by hubrocks on Nov 24, 2012 12:45:42 GMT -5
That's awesome!! Really like it! nice job.
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Post by frane on Nov 24, 2012 13:32:22 GMT -5
Great combinations! I haven't tried that yet but maybe I will have to give it a shot. Keep up the great work! Fran
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Post by mohs on Nov 24, 2012 14:52:40 GMT -5
composing a tile mosaic rock symphony really neat! keep on
Ed
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2012 15:14:21 GMT -5
I get dizzy just looking at the picture – imagine I'd fall to the floor if staring at it in real life.
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Charles
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2012
Posts: 161
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Post by Charles on Nov 24, 2012 15:15:13 GMT -5
Really neat. Keep up the great work. I say give rock and gem a shot.
Charles
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Post by mohs on Nov 24, 2012 16:03:54 GMT -5
interesting process went through putting that together
could you build it piece by piece ? using wax paper On my 2 part hearts many times the stones are way uneven but because I double dome them on the cabbing wheels it all evens out. Hopefully Ha Ha
you did it all on a flat lap ?
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Nov 24, 2012 16:28:10 GMT -5
Very cool, what are you gluing them together with?
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Nov 24, 2012 17:02:03 GMT -5
Hi, Thanks all!
Yup, did it all on a flat lap, I don't have wheels. I cut and ground the pieces to the right size/shape, then glued them together, then treated the glued-together thing like a slab and cabbed it.
I used E330 epoxy, but am not super happy with it since it dries so slowly, things tend to shift around if you don't clamp them really well. I might try SpecialT or something next time.
I've never tried the "piece by piece" method Ed. So the epoxy doesn't stick to the wax paper? The reason I've been gluing on a backer is that the thin slices don't want to hold very together very well when the only surface area to glue is the sides that touch; having the extra surface area of the backer seems to make the cabbing process go a lot better.
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Post by talkingstones on Nov 24, 2012 17:07:39 GMT -5
Bluesky, that is gorgeous and you did an amazing job with it!!!! I still don't understand directional stones. Doing that AND the composite is incredible!!! Love the video too. I also think the stripes at the top look really cool! It really brings out the different testures and flashes in all of the stones! Excellent job!!!!
Cathy
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,471
Member is Online
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 24, 2012 17:41:26 GMT -5
Wow that's one flashy piece of jewelry *S*. I really like the flash in the pinstripe section and it sure looks like a nice piece of work to me....Mel
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Nov 24, 2012 17:57:56 GMT -5
Pretty cool!
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Post by Bikerrandy on Nov 24, 2012 18:58:15 GMT -5
That's really cool!!
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Post by mohs on Nov 24, 2012 19:37:30 GMT -5
piece by piece with patience to let the epoxy dry actually 5 hours would be sufficient enough to epoxy on another piece. E-330 is going to be your best bet, Susan
I was mentioning earlier if some company makes a portable wet belt sander like they use in cabinet shops? That would be powerful enough machine to flat plane an uneven rock surface
I suppose a cabinet dry sander would work 'cept it would be dusty and get the piece hot real quick :nono: that would be a consideration with the epoxy
then a vibrating sander after that and person might have an efficient and, alternative method to the flat lap
I'll have to look into that
anyway ya done did a fine piece of work !!!
Ed
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jukerocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 154
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Post by jukerocks on Nov 24, 2012 21:36:34 GMT -5
Beautiful. Great having a video of it too.
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Post by Bejewelme on Nov 24, 2012 21:46:01 GMT -5
I think it is lovely and a great job especially for your first one! I love it!
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LarryS
freely admits to licking rocks
SoCal desert rats
Member since August 2010
Posts: 781
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Post by LarryS on Nov 24, 2012 22:51:10 GMT -5
First class Susan, as with all your work. Keep em coming!
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
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Post by jspencer on Nov 24, 2012 23:02:05 GMT -5
Great job! I also like the pinstriped piece. That is one flashy work of art! Have you considered gluing your lab pieces face first onto a clear quartz or agate and treating it as a doublet? It might save a step in your process.
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carleton
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2012
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Post by carleton on Nov 24, 2012 23:53:56 GMT -5
WOW,
You sure did not disappoint, I have been looking forward to seeing this since you first mentioned it.... Almost speechless here. Just wow!
Carleton
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