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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 3, 2013 18:12:07 GMT -5
Just wondering.... plus, I've never done a poll before. Take the poll, comment or both. For the record: Umm, no, never!
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jun 3, 2013 18:34:32 GMT -5
I have always drawn my girdle lines. Maybe just because thats how I was taught and stuck with it. I stack my metal templates to get the right height and hold a sharpie ultra fine marker tight then rotate my preform around the marker. I usually do this after they are on the dop as long as its a good even thickness slab to start with. something like this did I miss the place to vote? Chuck
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 3, 2013 18:38:24 GMT -5
Thanks, Chuck. I can't imagine doing that every time. I always see instructions that include this step, that's why I was wondering if most people do it. I can't figure out how to edit the poll, so that everyone can see the results at all times. Does someone know how?
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jun 3, 2013 19:02:07 GMT -5
Nope, I don't dop either.
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Post by susand24224 on Jun 3, 2013 19:04:57 GMT -5
I never even thought of drawing on a girdle line. Then again, sometimes my girdles need help, so it may not be a bad idea. I likewise don't dop but occasionally wish I did!
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Post by NatureNut on Jun 3, 2013 19:05:12 GMT -5
I sometimes use the girdle marker that Mudshark made.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jun 3, 2013 19:25:07 GMT -5
I just noticed my son had a couple cabs that have just been through the first wheel (80 grit) and I always tell him to leave a little bit of stock to clean up at the 220 wheel so these pics show how the girdle line looks on both sides. I know for my kids there is no way they can work without the line as a stop point. I just have them rotate the cab at a 45 degree angle to the wheel till they get to the line all the way around and it has worked pretty good. Chuck
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barclay
has rocks in the head
Lowly Padawan of rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 510
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Post by barclay on Jun 3, 2013 20:50:28 GMT -5
Usually I use the template to make a bunch of dots 2 mm above the bottom and then I play connect the dots to make the girdle line. When I try to free hand it I usually end up with a dip in the middle of the cab. I like the idea of keeping the pen stationary and moving the cab. It sounds more precise.
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Jun 3, 2013 20:50:53 GMT -5
I never have. I learned in a one day 2 hour workshop from a young man that liked freeform. After that, what I did was buy a cab from an amazing artist and lapidarist, Silverhawk. One I could afford, his work is snatched up as soon as he lists them, for the most part. That was the case then, and pretty much now! And then I tried to replicate his work. His cabs don't have a girdle, they have a curved edge, and honestly, I didn't know any better to do it otherwise, until I tried my hand at silver smithing!
The curved edge cabs work best for me for wire work, so that's what I do.
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Tom
fully equipped rock polisher
My dad Tom suddenly passed away yesterday, Just wanted his "rock" family to know.
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,557
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Post by Tom on Jun 3, 2013 22:49:21 GMT -5
I always draw a line, how do we vote can't seem to figure it out:(
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Tom
fully equipped rock polisher
My dad Tom suddenly passed away yesterday, Just wanted his "rock" family to know.
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,557
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Post by Tom on Jun 3, 2013 22:53:06 GMT -5
Ok figured it out, after I posted I did not know how. Sheesh:)
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Jasper-hound
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2010
Posts: 208
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Post by Jasper-hound on Jun 3, 2013 23:13:13 GMT -5
No girdle line. I eyeball it and have my cabs curve. If the bezel is too high, sand it down.
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Post by christopherl1234 on Jun 3, 2013 23:52:31 GMT -5
I draw a girdle line on normal cabs material but not on fire agates and opals
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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 Jun 4, 2013 6:20:39 GMT -5
I draw a line most of the time, sometimes I forget. The cabs always comes out better when I do.
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RockIt2Me
has rocks in the head
Sometimes I have to tell myself, "It's not worth the jail time."
Member since December 2009
Posts: 668
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Post by RockIt2Me on Jun 4, 2013 8:20:12 GMT -5
I can shape much faster when I draw a line.
Otherwise, I have to go back and correct the girdle. I have found that wire-wrappers look for a nice even girdle when purchasing cabs.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 4, 2013 17:11:51 GMT -5
Thanks for all the input! And for the images, Chuck. It's a close match between yea and nay. I suspected as much. As for me, I have never had a problem keeping the edge even all around, either thick or thin. I think I would mess up if I had to color in the lines. If I learned with a drawn line, I probably would have stuck with it, but Randy taught me to do without and it comes pretty natural to me.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 4, 2013 17:15:01 GMT -5
doh- damn new board- got the wrong quote.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 4, 2013 17:17:09 GMT -5
I never have. I learned in a one day 2 hour workshop from a young man that liked freeform. After that, what I did was buy a cab from an amazing artist and lapidarist, Silverhawk. One I could afford, his work is snatched up as soon as he lists them, for the most part. That was the case then, and pretty much now! And then I tried to replicate his work. His cabs don't have a girdle, they have a curved edge, and honestly, I didn't know any better to do it otherwise, until I tried my hand at silver smithing! The curved edge cabs work best for me for wire work, so that's what I do. I've run across a few cabs like that before and now that I cab, I wonder how it is done. How do you not have a girdle? Do you mean there is a very thin one that you round over? I'm really curious and a little more than ignorant. Does one need a thick, rounded dome?
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Jun 5, 2013 1:01:57 GMT -5
I guess you can say it's rounded over. And then I do a small bevel on the bottom, to prevent chipping. No, I don't always have a big rounded dome. I'm not sure what I can compare it to!I checked Silverhawk's site, and he doesn't seem to show a cab from the side, but here's a link where you can sort of tell his 'rounded edge' www.samsilverhawk.com/2013gemstones/62cabs/ocean.htmlLove this cab of his! And the cost is now pretty much what many top cabbers charge. How times change!
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Post by tntmom on Jun 5, 2013 1:34:52 GMT -5
I use a bezel plate attachment on my wheel for an even angle and then I draw on a girdle line similar to Chuck's method. I tend to smooth out my girdle line once I get to 325 so that it is mostly unnoticeable, but it helps me a lot to keep complete evenness around the cab for those that use one of my cabs in their metal smithing.
I used to do my cabs start to finish on my laps but switched over to preforming, girdles and rough doming on my wheels and then all other stages on my laps for speed adjustment and more control of the cab.
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