steelheader
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2021
Posts: 50 
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Post by steelheader on Dec 17, 2022 11:19:22 GMT -5
So I got a flap lap, frustration with the learning curve on high but a few more hours of playing with the new toy and breaking more stones should make for a more pleasant experience. I'm clearly missing some points. For example, I cannot get the same shine on the same stones that come out of my vibe, which is fine for now as I have decided to shape stones up to 600 grit on the lap and then finish off in my vibe. My question here is : if I just run the semi finished lap stones in my vibe in pre polish + polish, how much can I expect their shape to change? These are all harder type stone, all of which I have no problems getting a fantastic shine from my vibe. ( average 7 mohs ). Seeing how I want to have them nice and tight in the bezel, will their shape be effected THAT much? How about square bezels with sharp lines (not domed, kind of faceted), sorry I do not know the proper terminology.
Any input would be greatly appreciated for this big noobie.
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,160
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Post by dshanpnw on Dec 17, 2022 20:42:27 GMT -5
That is a tough question. I've never set anything in a bezel. What I do know is that I've been vibe tumbling hearts and other shapes and they do not seem to lose a lot of mass, maybe a little. That's the best I can do.
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 17, 2022 21:01:26 GMT -5
I could be wrong...but I'm willing to bet the reason you're not getting the shine from the lap that you are in the tumbler is you're not getting the scratches out before moving to the next stage on the lap. Unless you're inspecting them through a magnification of some kind (like an optivisor) you may not see the scratches with the naked eye. It's a learning process...but don't give up on finishing the stones on the flat lap. I worked cabs on a slant cabber (flat lap) for a year before I got my cabbing machine. When I first started, I didn't understand the necessity for inspecting through magnification. Once I got that figured out, my polishes got a LOT better! As far as putting the cabs in the tumbler after the 600 stage, you will deform the shapes - to a point. If you have premade bezels, you may run into some problems of the stones losing just enough mass to leave a slight gap. Like Bravura Cabochon Designs said, you'll "round" sharp edges...but I believe if you're removing mass along a sharp edge, you're losing a certain amount of mass over the entire cab - and if it isn't an absolutely consistent hardness throughout the stone, any "softer" area will create "divots" when you tumble it. If you're making your OWN bezels, the slight skewing of the shape won't really matter...but like I said, if you're using premade bezel blanks, I believe you'll create a slight gap. I think the only way to NOT affect the shape of the cab you create is to use the tumbler for polish only. Doing that will ensure the material loss is so microscopic you can basically say it's unaltered. Just my 2 cents...keep trying to work those cabs on the flat lap with some closer inspection before moving to the next stages.  |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 17, 2022 21:57:19 GMT -5
I could be wrong...but I'm willing to bet the reason you're not getting the shine from the lap that you are in the tumbler is you're not getting the scratches out before moving to the next stage on the lap. Unless you're inspecting them through a magnification of some kind (like an optivisor) you may not see the scratches with the naked eye. It's a learning process...but don't give up on finishing the stones on the flat lap. I worked cabs on a slant cabber (flat lap) for a year before I got my cabbing machine. When I first started, I didn't understand the necessity for inspecting through magnification. Once I got that figured out, my polishes got a LOT better! As far as putting the cabs in the tumbler after the 600 stage, you will deform the shapes - to a point. If you have premade bezels, you may run into some problems of the stones losing just enough mass to leave a slight gap. Like Bravura Cabochon Designs said, you'll "round" sharp edges...but I believe if you're removing mass along a sharp edge, you're losing a certain amount of mass over the entire cab - and if it isn't an absolutely consistent hardness throughout the stone, any "softer" area will create "divots" when you tumble it. If you're making your OWN bezels, the slight skewing of the shape won't really matter...but like I said, if you're using premade bezel blanks, I believe you'll create a slight gap. I think the only way to NOT affect the shape of the cab you create is to use the tumbler for polish only. Doing that will ensure the material loss is so microscopic you can basically say it's unaltered. Just my 2 cents...keep trying to work those cabs on the flat lap with some closer inspection before moving to the next stages. You have become a wise one, grasshopper.  |
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 17, 2022 22:25:41 GMT -5
I could be wrong...but I'm willing to bet the reason you're not getting the shine from the lap that you are in the tumbler is you're not getting the scratches out before moving to the next stage on the lap. Unless you're inspecting them through a magnification of some kind (like an optivisor) you may not see the scratches with the naked eye. It's a learning process...but don't give up on finishing the stones on the flat lap. I worked cabs on a slant cabber (flat lap) for a year before I got my cabbing machine. When I first started, I didn't understand the necessity for inspecting through magnification. Once I got that figured out, my polishes got a LOT better! As far as putting the cabs in the tumbler after the 600 stage, you will deform the shapes - to a point. If you have premade bezels, you may run into some problems of the stones losing just enough mass to leave a slight gap. Like Bravura Cabochon Designs said, you'll "round" sharp edges...but I believe if you're removing mass along a sharp edge, you're losing a certain amount of mass over the entire cab - and if it isn't an absolutely consistent hardness throughout the stone, any "softer" area will create "divots" when you tumble it. If you're making your OWN bezels, the slight skewing of the shape won't really matter...but like I said, if you're using premade bezel blanks, I believe you'll create a slight gap. I think the only way to NOT affect the shape of the cab you create is to use the tumbler for polish only. Doing that will ensure the material loss is so microscopic you can basically say it's unaltered. Just my 2 cents...keep trying to work those cabs on the flat lap with some closer inspection before moving to the next stages. You have become a wise one, grasshopper. Your post is gonna get printed and put on the fridge!!!  |
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steelheader
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2021
Posts: 50
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Post by steelheader on Dec 18, 2022 23:14:14 GMT -5
Hey gang,
Thank you for taking the time and breaking down process for me to wrap my head around. Today was a much better day with much better results. Boy oh boy is this ever addicting and exciting 😝💎
Thanks again!
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