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Post by DirtCleaner on Mar 11, 2014 12:44:59 GMT -5
First off, thanks to everybody here and all of the lessons that get taught, sometimes unknowingly. I have read gazillions of posts and have put much time and even more $$ into making a high production shop (studio?) and have finally made some rocks into something. At this pace (months) I will literally have tens of these made by years end. A few freeform: A few, after closer inspection, need some additional work. One question: Is there a simple/proper way to finish the edges (girdle) on standard cabs? I will bet the answer will be many differing opinions but bring it on. What are your thoughts on this?
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Rock Guy 275
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 66
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Post by Rock Guy 275 on Mar 11, 2014 13:10:52 GMT -5
Good looking stuff, keep it up!
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Roger
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,487
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Post by Roger on Mar 11, 2014 14:20:19 GMT -5
I will literally have tens of these made by years end. I choked on my drink lol Looks like you are off to a great start to me Finishing the girdle. Proper/Standard. I am new, a little under a year now, so I am no expert...but; for me it really depends on the material, the shape I cut, and what I think I will use it for. Nice material I completely polish top, bottom, and all sides. Complicated shapes I will typically polish the top and bottom, but may only take the sides up to 600/800. I am moving away from the more traditional shapes and high dome, short girdle cabs. Polishing the sides is a bit more important. More of the stone is visible from the sides. I think that traditional shapes, it might be less important to fully polish the girdle. In most mountings the girdle will not be in view. I am sure there will be a lot of replies on this and I am curious what others are doing as well. Great question! Roger
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Post by fishenman on Mar 11, 2014 14:47:34 GMT -5
Nice cabs David. I have sold over 1500 cabs on Etsy and all of them had the bezel edges cut with a 2-3mm flat edge, slightly angled inward. I don't know exactly what the buyers are going to do with my stones so I polish the back and edges the same as the front. This way it can be wire wrapped, hole drilled, glue on bail or whatever they want it's ready to go.
Hope this helps, Geoff
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Mar 11, 2014 14:58:03 GMT -5
Nice to see you posting some cabs. Your off to a great start.
I agree with what Geoff said. I polish front back and sides all the same and I think for selling that's best. On occasion I will scuff up the girdle on cabs I wire wrap to keep the wire from slipping around during the wrap process. I usually try to make my girdle about 1/3 the thickness of the cab but some cabs are too thin for that ratio.
Chuck
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Post by 150FromFundy on Mar 11, 2014 15:53:16 GMT -5
You said there would be many opinions on this, so here's another.
Similar to fishenman, my cabs tend to be a little thick in the girdle. I do this so I can drill the girdle and glue in an "eye" finding to make a pendant. I usually need 3mm to 4mm of girdle to ensure that a 1mm drill doesn't crack through the dome, or back. My girdles are at 90 degrees to the dome so that the drill doesn't "skate" off the girdle. I use a small 45 degree bevel between the girdle and the back.
Darryl.
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Post by DirtCleaner on Mar 11, 2014 16:26:37 GMT -5
You said there would be many opinions on this, so here's another. Similar to fishenman, my cabs tend to be a little thick in the girdle. I do this so I can drill the girdle and glue in an "eye" finding to make a pendant. I usually need 3mm to 4mm of girdle to ensure that a 1mm drill doesn't crack through the dome, or back. My girdles are at 90 degrees to the dome so that the drill doesn't "skate" off the girdle. I use a small 45 degree bevel between the girdle and the back. Darryl. Just making sure I understand…You are not drilling parallel to the back but drilling a bit (45) towards the front? Have you found that you need to bend the eye a bit to straighten it or does it work as it is put in?
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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 Mar 11, 2014 16:32:52 GMT -5
Way to go David!..I finish mine in a vibe so mine get polished all the way around....I do alot of freeforming......John
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Post by DirtCleaner on Mar 11, 2014 17:31:20 GMT -5
Way to go David!..I finish mine in a vibe so mine get polished all the way around....I do alot of freeforming......John Oh no…now I have to get a vibe!
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Post by 150FromFundy on Mar 11, 2014 17:37:54 GMT -5
David: Sorry for the confusion on this. Photos will help. First photo shows back and bevel on left, a 3mm girdle in middle, and a low dome on right. Second photo shows drilled and glued “eye” finding. Typically a 1mm drill centered on a 3mm girdle. Sometime I will use a 4mm girdle if the material is fractured, or looks like it is prone to chipping. Darryl.
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aimeesrockworks
spending too much on rocks
I really do look like my avatar... it kinda freaks me out.
Member since December 2010
Posts: 458
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Post by aimeesrockworks on Mar 11, 2014 18:13:40 GMT -5
Fabulous cabs! I too someday hope to have tens made.......
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Post by gingerkid on Mar 11, 2014 18:40:16 GMT -5
Good-lookin' cabs you got there, David! Keep up the good work!
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Post by pghram on Mar 13, 2014 0:52:42 GMT -5
Great start, congrats.
Rich
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,204
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Post by jamesp on Mar 13, 2014 6:54:04 GMT -5
I see a big smile on your avatar photo. That's #1, looks like you are having a good time.
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Post by Tonyterner on Mar 13, 2014 8:18:11 GMT -5
Those are great first cabs.
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Mar 14, 2014 6:56:50 GMT -5
Looking really good, David! I like your free form shapes!
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 14, 2014 10:54:25 GMT -5
Fabulous job! These are your first??? Coulda fooled me.
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