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Post by 1dave on Mar 1, 2023 9:53:36 GMT -5
1dave Looks like you have really shaped and smooth that little steel plate quite a bit. Did you do that on a grinding wheel? And then how did you get it so smooth? I made dozens of them for friends over the years. I have one of these cheap bench top grinders I shaped them with, then finished with my old Frantom sanding unit.  I was rebuilding this before my stroke and never finished.  |
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,980
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Post by khara on Mar 1, 2023 10:39:43 GMT -5
1dave Ok, ya I’ve had the thought in the back of my mind for quite a while that a grinder would be nice to have. Obviously I don’t want to use my fancy cabbing machine but the more I work on it the more I think it sure would be nice to have something I could grind steel on and not be worried about abusing it. I never would have thought to use a chunk of steel for bezel setting but I guess it makes sense as that’s what manufactured tools are made from. I can see how yours would be easier to hold and control. What were you going to use your refurbished machine for, same thing?
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Post by 1dave on Mar 1, 2023 11:05:55 GMT -5
1dave Ok, ya I’ve had the thought in the back of my mind for quite a while that a grinder would be nice to have. Obviously I don’t want to use my fancy cabbing machine but the more I work on it the more I think it sure would be nice to have something I could grind steel on and not be worried about abusing it. I never would have thought to use a chunk of steel for bezel setting but I guess it makes sense as that’s what manufactured tools are made from. I can see how yours would be easier to hold and control. What were you going to use your refurbished machine for, same thing? Smoothing EVERYTHING. We have a location here known as Holt Canyon . . . well, it is really the hills east of the canyon . . . that is an ancient huge landslide that contains rocks from the Paradise "Welded Ash Flow Tuff" that are a Rockhound's Delight.   I was lucky enough to find a couple of pieces of molten agate that rolled along the ground before solidifying I would like to grind the crust off and show the structure. That is on hold.  |
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Post by Rockoonz on Mar 1, 2023 13:25:40 GMT -5
Maybe I'm missing something in the pics, but that bezel looks significantly thicker than the bezel wire I'm used to, moving it with a burnisher or even a HD bezel pusher like Dave's wouldn't be easy. If I was good at it I might attempt hammer setting, but definitely not with someone elses ring and stone.
BTW the repair on the first ring is stellar, a good use of "liquid bezel".
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,980
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Post by khara on Mar 1, 2023 17:01:36 GMT -5
Tracie on that first ring repair did you use dental floss to test fit the stone and have a way to pop it back out so it wouldn’t get lodged in and stuck?
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Tracie
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 51
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Post by Tracie on Mar 2, 2023 14:37:11 GMT -5
rmf I don’t think they used bezel wire, it very well could be 20gauge sheet metal. I am definitely going to anneal it first. 1dave yes, I currently use a burnished and a bezel roller, the one that has a half circle tip. Hmm, I am curious about the second picture you posted. That is a piece of iron that you smoothed? I bet that would be super useful for thicker bezels! Would that be the correct assumption? Wow, I really like that idea, how did you smooth it out? hummingbirdstones I am definitely going to anneal it first!
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Post by 1dave on Mar 2, 2023 14:44:05 GMT -5
rmf I don’t think they used bezel wire, it very well could be 20gauge sheet metal. I am definitely going to anneal it first. 1dave yes, I currently use a burnished and a bezel roller, the one that has a half circle tip. Hmm, I am curious about the second picture you posted. That is a piece of iron that you smoothed? I bet that would be super useful for thicker bezels! Would that be the correct assumption? Wow, I really like that idea, how did you smooth it out? hummingbirdstones I am definitely going to anneal it first! My explanation is at 7.53 yesterday morning. |
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Tracie
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 51
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Post by Tracie on Mar 2, 2023 14:55:26 GMT -5
1dave oops, I didn’t see the second pages of posts! I see how you smoothed it! Rockoonz Yes, it definitely isn’t bezel wire, It is most likely 20gauge sheet Sterling silver, I have never pushed bezel this thick, 24g is probably the thickest I have used, it should be interesting. I have only used burnishers and bezel rollers, I have never tried a hammer setting, and ya because it is not my piece I am quite hesitate! Thank you very much, I spent a lot of time on that repair getting it right. khara Yes! Dental floss! It is quite thin, and relatively strong, definitely does the trick! Another great trick, if you don’t already know it. When I measure the length of bezel wire I need for a cab, I wrap a thin strip of painter tape around the cab, it makes it really easy. 
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