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Post by melhill1659 on Feb 21, 2018 20:09:46 GMT -5
Go Big or Go Home: This will be a bit of an undertaking and challenge. Why not bring y’all along on all the ups and downs. The first pictures I’m posting are the beginning steps. Design, Stencil, Stone Color Palette, Placement, Beginning to Trim. The stones I’ve picked for this bracelet are Mahogany Obsidian (received by 2 of my favorite Dave’s 1dave and aDave), Zyamara Agate (bought in Q), a beautiful jasper no doubt given to me by another amazing forum friend. Speak up if you notice it! I’m so sorry I didn’t write it down. Any where you see a circle I’ll be dropping in Fire Agate from 1dave or Bolder Opal (William Holland $1 lb pile) The first run
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Post by Pat on Feb 21, 2018 20:18:43 GMT -5
Thanks, Mel.
I like to follow all your projects.
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Post by 1dave on Feb 21, 2018 20:20:49 GMT -5
How dare you start with something so interesting?
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 21, 2018 20:40:11 GMT -5
I wanna see it too.
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Post by aDave on Feb 21, 2018 21:52:28 GMT -5
Mel melhill1659 thanks for giving me a heads up with your project. I'm very curious to see what you end up with. Hope all is well with you and your family. Thanks for bringing me along. Dave
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Post by melhill1659 on Feb 21, 2018 22:12:18 GMT -5
How dare you start with something so interesting? Haha There are so many variables in Interesting. I’m pretty sure it’s not “physics-ly” possible that some of the stones as is will fit on the bend of the cuff. I’m already foreseeing having to cut and pieces part them. I have our annual Gem&Mineral Show this weekend. Trying to get all of them cut and cuff made before Friday. Friday - Sunday I’ll be slammed.
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Post by melhill1659 on Feb 21, 2018 22:16:12 GMT -5
Thanks Pat and Rockoonz, that’s so sweet. I haven’t had Lapidary projects lately. Trying to change that.
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Post by melhill1659 on Feb 21, 2018 22:23:49 GMT -5
Mel melhill1659 thanks for giving me a heads up with your project. I'm very curious to see what you end up with. Hope all is well with you and your family. Thanks for bringing me along. Dave No Thank You for helping with the extra Obsidian. Btw... finally looked through the 2nd box OH MY GOSH how awesome is all that pet wood!!! Thank You so much! I am constantly blown away at the generosity of the people here.
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,777
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Post by adrian65 on Feb 21, 2018 22:40:21 GMT -5
WOW! What a project! Looking forward to see the developing.
Adrian
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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 Feb 21, 2018 23:08:33 GMT -5
melhill1659 Looks like you're off to a good start. What application do you do your drawing in? How did you get the design transferred to the metal & the stencil? Do you have a plotter or cutter? Keep posting so we can all drool. Lynn
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Post by aDave on Feb 21, 2018 23:18:24 GMT -5
Mel melhill1659 thanks for giving me a heads up with your project. I'm very curious to see what you end up with. Hope all is well with you and your family. Thanks for bringing me along. Dave No Thank You for helping with the extra Obsidian. Btw... finally looked through the 2nd box OH MY GOSH how awesome is all that pet wood!!! Thank You so much! I am constantly blown away at the generosity of the people here. Glad it's working out for you. I'll give you a call just to catch up.
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 21, 2018 23:27:43 GMT -5
This will be great to watch! Thanks for doing it with us.
Color me dumb, but is this supposed to be a cuff bracelet? How will it bend with the rocks added? Or, are they small enough that it won't matter?
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Post by fernwood on Feb 22, 2018 5:03:52 GMT -5
This should be a great and informative adventure.
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Post by melhill1659 on Feb 22, 2018 8:57:15 GMT -5
This will be great to watch! Thanks for doing it with us. Color me dumb, but is this supposed to be a cuff bracelet? How will it bend with the rocks added? Or, are they small enough that it won't matter? Tela as you know rocks don’t bend 😂 fernwood that’s going to be the adventure part (hehehe). Applying flat rocks to a curved cuff. I’m planning on them not bending but I was thinking if I do a Step By Step, when I get to a part that needs tweaking above my pay grade (brain capacity) I’d have all of y’all to throw out ideas. We can do this together! I have my first helper.
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Post by fantastic5 on Feb 22, 2018 9:09:07 GMT -5
Oooh goodie!!! A project to watch!!!! Thank you Mel!
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Post by fernwood on Feb 22, 2018 10:51:16 GMT -5
Dunno if you are looking for any advice yet, but here it goes. I did some inlay work on bracelets and rings while living on the Navajo Nation. This was under the guidance of someone who was a master craftsman. The layout on your cuff has the same challenges as some I worked on. So, hope these "hacks" are useful.
After the basic design was developed, a template was made of soft material, which was exactly the same as the cuff. The position of all of the stones was scribed into it. Most of the time it was a thin copper. That template was formed around the bracelet mandrel. Now we could see the problem areas, ie, where the cuff bent and there was to be a stone. Two options: Redo the design, or, cut the pieces of stone smaller and piece them in. If the stones were to be pieced in, another template was made of the stone(s) in question. Next this was placed on the cuff template. The stone templates were marked where the stones were to be cut. Most of the time, there was also a length of silver placed between the pieces in the finished product. The silver gauge allowed for loss from the cutting of the stone(s) in question. --Getting ahead a little. Prior to cutting the stones and silver wire, all of the bezel to hold the stones was attached to the silver cuff. Prior to doing this, the cuff was stamped with the makers hallmark and then formed on the bracelet mandrel. This was usually a flat, relatively thick, bezel, which did not bend over the stone, as thinner gauge ones do. The stones were set into the bezel, with about 1/16" of the bezel rising above the edges of the stones. Next was the tricky part. Think traditional methods of making jewelry. All of the stones were cut using a person powered saw. It had a pulley system and foot pedals, which powered the saw. This was also used for grinding and polishing, just with different attachments. Stones are now cut to the approximate, completed size. Each was tried in its' specific bezel to ensure proper fit. If it did not fit, then it was hand ground slowly, on a whetstone mounted to prevent slippage. We just moved the ends/sides of the stones until they fit snugly. After the stones were completed, then any other embellishments were soldered on the cuff. The "naked" cuff was ground and polished to about 75% of what the finished product would look like. ie, all excess solder, was removed by grinding. This often involved hand work, again, using home made sandpaper. Each stone, one at a time, had a thin layer of "secret" epoxy placed around the edges and on the bottom. The same was placed on the bezels and cuff. After the epoxy was applied, the stone was set into place. The cuff now sat, undisturbed, for at least 48 hours, but often longer, depending on the size of the largest stone. Next, the cuff was placed on the mandrel. A type of hide mallet was used to gently form the bezel over the edge of each stone. A piece of leather, say 1/8", was placed between the mallet and the stone/bezel. At this stage, some of the edges of the bezel over the stone, were still somewhat thick. Next was the final smoothing/polishing. Back to the foot controlled grinder/polisher. Cannot remember how many wheels were used, but I know it was more than 3. Some were rough leather, some were smooth leather and some were wool. At each stage a different type of grit/polish was used. All were home made.
In the end, the pieces were beautiful and rivaled what is made today.
Know you will be using modern equipment, but thought you could utilize some of the techniques of the past.
I feel fortunate to have learned the traditional ways and am happy to share here.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 22, 2018 11:10:31 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing this project. I'll be watching with great interest on how you go about this. Talk about going big! Holy cow, talk about jumping in with both feet!
I'd be interested in what software you're using to mock up your designs, too. Are you planning on using core drills to drill out the rounds for the boulder opal?
This is exciting ....
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 22, 2018 11:43:08 GMT -5
We have faith in you, Mel. If you need a little help from your friends- just ask. I admire you for taking this on.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2018 12:02:44 GMT -5
Tela as you know rocks don’t bend 😂 fernwood that’s going to be the adventure part (hehehe). Applying flat rocks to a curved cuff. I’m planning on them not bending Some rocks will bend, such as itacolumite (though I don't know anyone who has tried polishing it) Seriously, I have seen some cabs ground down into a concave shape just by holding against the grinding/sanding wheels. You can only get a maximum curve matching the curve of the wheels, however, and the backs don't get polished. Your "helper" may have other ideas, though. They use spindle/drum sanders to do the stone (e.g., jade) bangle bracelets.
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Post by Pat on Feb 22, 2018 12:24:18 GMT -5
To put a cab on a curve, we curve the cab bottom on a wheel as mentioned. Must curve the bezel also. Half-round file helps here.
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