metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on May 15, 2016 12:40:33 GMT -5
I have a bit of Scottish Carnelian to get through; more Noreena and of course some Jade... but I couldn't resist this when I saw it: Recalling my experiments with Noreena Jasper, My question is whether I can cut it in half depth-wise. It measures 8.7mm at one side and 8.2mm at the thinner end. I'd be aiming to cut this in half across the join of the 2 vugs and to half of the depth to get 4 x 4mm thick cabs. Ok my maths doesn't stack up. More like 3-3.5mm. Is it going to take it? I'll be using a 1mm thick diamond 50-60mm diameter blade. Clearly I got away with it on the Noreena Jasper, but a) its different stuff and b) I had some Noreena 'spare' to play with. Here, the opportunity for exploratory trials is limited and this stuff is just too expensive to lose! Any advice appreciated.
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Post by rockjunquie on May 15, 2016 19:46:30 GMT -5
I don't know... seems dicey. Personally, I don't think I would try it. I just cabbed a piece and had some of the matrix crumble. You don't know about hidden fractures, either, which is a risk with this, I would think.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2016 20:02:16 GMT -5
I think a splitting slice will be easier on the half pieces, than trying to make one really long rip cut...
Listen to Tela.
I am fearless, and only tumple stuff like that....
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on May 17, 2016 12:52:02 GMT -5
I don't know... seems dicey. Personally, I don't think I would try it. I just cabbed a piece and had some of the matrix crumble. You don't know about hidden fractures, either, which is a risk with this, I would think. Thanks rockjunquie... My experiments wrt 'How low can you go?' Continued with some Scottish Carnelian at around 12.5mm cut to a 6.3mm thick slab. Then I tried to go again. There were 1 or 2 obvious fractures that sheared, then some less obvious ones... then some down right invisible ones. I learned a couple of lessons on speed of cut v vibe & available time / need to get the cut made. Truth be told, I ended up with a fist-ful of shards, but I like to play with smaller pieces every now and again (or all the time!) so all is not lost. Pics later (but not tonight - don't hold your breath!)
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on May 17, 2016 12:55:39 GMT -5
I think a splitting slice will be easier on the half pieces, than trying to make one really long rip cut... Listen to Tela. I am fearless, and only tumple stuff like that.... Then I guess I'll learn Moroccan Seam 101 on the cross-cut. Especially since I'm going to try cutting obliquely to maximise the two vugs.
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on May 17, 2016 15:38:57 GMT -5
2 cabs is a shoe-in. 4 cabs is a challenge. What do you feel up to?
If you do go for 4 cabs, chop the slab in half before you try to split it down the center. Lynn
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on May 17, 2016 15:47:03 GMT -5
Glue the slab to a piece of wood to mount in a vice, line up the slab with the blade where you want the cut, set the auto feed and cut. make doubly sure you have blade lined up with the center of the slab.
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