sheltie
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2012
Posts: 982
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Post by sheltie on Dec 13, 2013 14:42:49 GMT -5
Well, mostly because of the inclement weather, I've gone to the dark side - I started to learn how to cab. My question is, should everything be domed or just pieces that are rounded, or ...? Please don't tell my slabbing compatriots that I'm doing this. They think I play piano in a whorehouse and I wouldn't want them to lower their opinion of me!
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 13, 2013 14:53:07 GMT -5
LOL! Your sordid hobby is safe with me.
I think a cab can be either, although I prefer domed. Typically flat are done on a flat lap and domed on wheels.
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sheltie
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2012
Posts: 982
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Post by sheltie on Dec 13, 2013 16:06:09 GMT -5
LOL! Your sordid hobby is safe with me. I think a cab can be either, although I prefer domed. Typically flat are done on a flat lap and domed on wheels. Thanks, I feel better! And, thanks for the advice on the dome/no dome. It actually makes sense.
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,623
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Post by QuailRiver on Dec 13, 2013 16:41:12 GMT -5
Well, mostly because of the inclement weather, I've gone to the dark side - I started to learn how to cab. My question is, should everything be domed or just pieces that are rounded, or ...? Please don't tell my slabbing compatriots that I'm doing this. They think I play piano in a whorehouse and I wouldn't want them to lower their opinion of me! Now that was Funny! Don't worry about what us slabbers think, most of us are moonlighters too. Domes are easier than flat tops to get all of the scratches sanded out of. For most cabs, especially medium to large sizes, I prefer low domes. Larry C.
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Post by 150FromFundy on Dec 13, 2013 17:09:51 GMT -5
I had to Google it to be sure. Almost every site indicates that what we call a "cab" is from the middle French for "en cabochon" which refers to a gemstone that has been shaped with a convex (domed) face. The other form is facetted as in a brilliant cut diamond. I guess that would make non-domed pieces "flatochons".
As quailriver indicated, it is MUCH easier to finish a dome over a flat. So much so that I often dome both sides of my cabs to avoid finishing a flat side.
What I'm curious about if anyone can chine in, is there a strict definition of a "low" dome verses a "high" dome?
Darryl.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2013 17:33:59 GMT -5
I read the query as 'rounded' vs. 'domed', whats the dif?
Sheltie - I sweep floors in a whorehouse! Maybe we should team up...
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Thunder69
Cave Dweller
Thunder 2000-2015
Member since January 2009
Posts: 3,102
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Post by Thunder69 on Dec 13, 2013 18:40:14 GMT -5
Doming really lends itself to the slab being cabbed...Thin slabs/cabs usually are low dome or flats...The thicker the slab the higher your dome on your cab can get..Or your girdle can be for those who like to groove wrap..Also on the thicker ones you can have beveled edges with flat tops too. What I'm curious about if anyone can chine in, is there a strict definition of a "low" dome verses a "high" dome? Really only thickness ..And opinion.....John
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Post by stoner on Dec 13, 2013 19:12:44 GMT -5
Like Darryl said, the definition of cabochon is to have a domed top. A cabo-john is a flat topped cab that is beveled on the edges(Sandsman cabs) As to whether or not having a high dome or a low dome, is a matter of slab thickness and personal taste. If one buys slabs, then you are limited by how thick of a slab you buy. If one cuts their own slabs, the sky's the limit as to how high of a dome a cab can have. It is very difficult to remove all the scratches on a "buff top" cab as opposed to a domed cab.
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Post by deb193redux on Dec 13, 2013 20:24:01 GMT -5
it is the question that is wrong. flat, low, high .. it is what the stone requires. an experienced eye will know. try to imagine how it will be set.
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Post by bobby1 on Dec 14, 2013 0:16:10 GMT -5
I always dome my cabs unless the rough is very thin. To me it has a more finished look than a flat top. Polishing flats is no problem for me so I always polish the backs on my cabs, even though they could be 6" across at times. Bob
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Post by Tonyterner on Dec 14, 2013 6:56:32 GMT -5
I dome most cabs as well and feel it shows off the stone better. I've cabbed some pretty darn thin slabs there were medium to large and they still had a dome although it was so low it was nearly imperceptible. As far as low dome or high dome I agree with Daniel. The stone really determines what looks best although I find high domes to be the most difficult to cab, a good high dome is tough to shape. Most of my cabs have a low to medium dome.
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sheltie
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2012
Posts: 982
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Post by sheltie on Dec 14, 2013 9:14:51 GMT -5
I read the query as 'rounded' vs. 'domed', whats the dif? Sheltie - I sweep floors in a whorehouse! Maybe we should team up... I thought that was you! I was going to say Hi but I was busy!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2013 12:54:12 GMT -5
Great French benefits at that job.
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Post by stoner on Dec 14, 2013 13:06:03 GMT -5
I'll add that I will leave the top flat if by doming it, the pattern will be ground off and you'll wind up with a plain looking stone. Picture jaspers come to mind.
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cccbock
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2011
Posts: 499
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Post by cccbock on Dec 14, 2013 13:22:25 GMT -5
Personally I think that domed cabs look better than flat ones......hi vs low ?........all I can say is that the higher the dome the harder it is for me to get a uniform shape....
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Dec 14, 2013 13:48:45 GMT -5
Cabochons by definition are to be domed. Aim for a nice smooth even dome, and keep a decent girdle.
Exceptions to the rule are:
-very thin slabs when doming would be a nightmare, -landscape or single-layer dendrites, or when doming would ruin the pattern, -druses or geode slices, -extremely valuable rough like gold or silver in matrix, or maybe opal, where grinding off rock is costing you bigtime, -color-play stones like "labradorite" and "peristerite" that look best cut flat, -and when you want to groove-wrap the stone.
Having said all that, if you don't want to cut a dome, then don't, it's your choice.
Also, I've never had any trouble polishing flats on a wheel, can't imagine why anybody would, at least if you start off flat, via a flat lap.
High dome or low, well. I just aim for a nice gradual gentle curve from the top of the girdle to the centre. High-dome to preserve color, or more normally, to preserve weight of valuable stones.
Try to find expert cabbers in your area that you can learn from. You may realize that you're going badly wrong, or you may be doing just fine, but you'll never know if you don't compare, in person.
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Post by pghram on Dec 16, 2013 13:18:33 GMT -5
I also prefer a dome, I like how it reflects the light better.
Rich
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