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Post by MsAli on Feb 5, 2019 19:00:08 GMT -5
If I could of afforded the Pixie that is the one I would of gotten instead. Yeah, I'm in the same boat - the Pixie is pretty pricey for me. Also, my local gem club has an awesome workshop that costs $6 for 4 hours. I can use those cabbers for a lot of Saturday mornings for the price and hassle of my own cabbing machine. That said, it's always nice to have your own equipment so you can work at your own schedule and pace. I was spending $30 every time I went out to use the machines, so in the past year, Ive paid what I would of for this machine. $6.00 is an amazing price, but you are right, being able to be on your own schedule will be really nice
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Post by MsAli on Feb 11, 2019 20:15:58 GMT -5
Here we go!
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Post by miket on Feb 11, 2019 20:39:26 GMT -5
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 11, 2019 21:45:41 GMT -5
Yay! It's so nice and clean, too (that won't last long).
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hummingbirdstones2
fully equipped rock polisher
Vince A., 1958-2023
Member since August 2018
Posts: 1,461
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Feb 11, 2019 22:40:37 GMT -5
Woohoo! Very happy to see you've finally gotten it and are already off and running!
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Post by MsAli on Feb 11, 2019 23:59:50 GMT -5
I busted that first slab when it went flying off the dop stick. Dont ask 😂 Here is the second one. Almost done, just have to polish and do the back a tad I will say this is definitely gonna take some getting use to
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hummingbirdstones2
fully equipped rock polisher
Vince A., 1958-2023
Member since August 2018
Posts: 1,461
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Feb 12, 2019 9:37:30 GMT -5
Hi Ali. Bummer about the first one. Voice of experience here - remembering times that's happened. The only thing that sucks more is when a small one goes flying and disappears into some other dimension. It has happened...!
If you have wax failure just make sure the back is clean, and try not to push the stick down too hard. A thin layer of fresh wax between the wood and the stone just gives it that much more holding power. Especially if the stick doesn't have any wax on it already.
You know how hard dop wax is, so don't worry about exactly how thick or thin it is. Just try not to push the stick through the hot wax all the way to the back of the stone.
Apologies if you already know all this. I'm just remembering the sound of rocks whacking against walls when I started.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 12, 2019 9:47:59 GMT -5
Ali, that's pretty good for your first one. It does take a little practice to get the technique down.
I always called it "rockin' and rollin'" to get the dome formed. I don't know how you're holding the dop stick, but I always held it close to the cab to have good control. I guess I use mostly wrist action. I will occasionally hold the stick at the end and spin the cab against the lap from all different angles. Pressure when doing this is not a lot.
That's just how I do it. You'll develop your own technique as you go, especially since you've got the slant cabber and it will be different because of that.
I think you'll be an expert at it after a couple of cabs!
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Post by miket on Feb 12, 2019 10:21:21 GMT -5
By the looks of that first cab, you're going to be used to it by the second one! The shape looks great, from the picture anyway. I'm sure you'll have it all dialed in quickly.
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Post by MsAli on Feb 12, 2019 10:46:09 GMT -5
Thank you all for the tips and advice.
I have never used dop wax before so the tips really help with that
I was sad about that one, but better to break before I finished it than after
Using dop sticks is another challenge, but easier than me using my hands
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Post by MsAli on Feb 12, 2019 10:47:25 GMT -5
By the looks of that first cab, you're going to be used to it by the second one! The shape looks great, from the picture anyway. I'm sure you'll have it all dialed in quickly. Thank you I dont use templates to shape and it may be something I have to invest in one day, but I really just like letting the stone take shape the way it wants to
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Post by miket on Feb 12, 2019 11:15:07 GMT -5
By the looks of that first cab, you're going to be used to it by the second one! The shape looks great, from the picture anyway. I'm sure you'll have it all dialed in quickly. Thank you I dont use templates to shape and it may be something I have to invest in one day, but I really just like letting the stone take shape the way it wants to It seems to work for you and fits your style, keep it up!
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 12, 2019 19:57:00 GMT -5
I'm in agreement with miket. There's no rule that says you have to use a template. Do what you enjoy doing and freeform your stones how you want them. You have a good eye and you're freeforms will give you the ability to be your creative self for your jewelry.
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Post by MsAli on Feb 12, 2019 22:16:46 GMT -5
My next 2 One might enter the FCC for the month
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Post by fernwood on Feb 13, 2019 4:21:31 GMT -5
Great progress.
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Post by MsAli on Feb 14, 2019 22:45:55 GMT -5
2nd one done The right side wanted to crumble on me, so it ended smaller than k wanted, but over all I'm pretty happy with it
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hummingbirdstones2
fully equipped rock polisher
Vince A., 1958-2023
Member since August 2018
Posts: 1,461
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Feb 14, 2019 23:20:17 GMT -5
Looks like you're a "smooth operator". It'll only get better as you get the fingers fine-tuned to how to manipulate the stone.
Just remember to "let the tool do the work". Once you get enough pressure on the stone against the lap for it to cut, extra pressure doesn't really help. As long as the stone isn't chattering or bouncing against the lap you should be good. Excess pressure just wears things out faster.
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Post by MsAli on Feb 14, 2019 23:33:45 GMT -5
Looks like you're a "smooth operator". It'll only get better as you get the fingers fine-tuned to how to manipulate the stone.
Just remember to "let the tool do the work". Once you get enough pressure on the stone against the lap for it to cut, extra pressure doesn't really help. As long as the stone isn't chattering or bouncing against the lap you should be good. Excess pressure just wears things out faster. So appreciative of your advice! Every tid bit helps so much
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 15, 2019 9:18:07 GMT -5
Looking good, Ali! I have to agree with Vince. You're a
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Post by miket on Feb 15, 2019 10:33:18 GMT -5
The transformation that people can make from just a rock to a beautiful piece of art amazes me. Before I got into this whole rock thing I didn't have a clue how it all happened. And yep, you're one of those people- someday I hope to get there as well. Super nice work!
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