zosrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2023
Posts: 16
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Post by zosrocks on Oct 6, 2023 12:55:40 GMT -5
15 minutes is wild to me. If I get one done in an hour I’m happy. I’m not sure if that has anything to do with the fact I’m using a slant lap, I do have to change the laps between every grit, but I typically spend a good amount of time on the 80 grit and 220. My 80 lap kind of sucks so it takes a looong time to grind it down to shape, not sure if I should replace it after having it for about a year? I probably spend too much time on the 220 because I’m afraid if I don’t it’ll not polish as well in the end.
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zosrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2023
Posts: 16
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Post by zosrocks on Oct 6, 2023 12:57:47 GMT -5
One of my favorite stones to cab is Owyhee jasper because it shapes well, and it isn't super hard, and is easy to work with, but it still takes me about 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours for those. I'm pretty surprised at how fast some people can make a cab form the responses above. I can make one with Death Valley Indian Blanket rhyolite/jasper in about 20 minutes, super soft. A Montana agate can take me at least 2 hours, probably more, and sometimes when I can't get rid of the scratches I'll wait until the next day and try again. So for the in between on the Mohs scale, 6, it usually takes me at least 1 hour, and that's after it has been dopped. I use a 6" 6 wheel machine. I have taken lots of preforms off the dop and put them in a tumbler too if I think they are mediocre or might not cab right. I do that with a lot of heart shaped ones. Same here!! I’ve tumbled some Owyhee jasper but was too scared to try cabbing it because I got sucky results. Do you have any tips for getting a good polish on them? |
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Post by Rockoonz on Oct 6, 2023 13:17:42 GMT -5
15 minutes is wild to me. If I get one done in an hour I’m happy. I’m not sure if that has anything to do with the fact I’m using a slant lap, I do have to change the laps between every grit, but I typically spend a good amount of time on the 80 grit and 220. My 80 lap kind of sucks so it takes a looong time to grind it down to shape, not sure if I should replace it after having it for about a year? I probably spend too much time on the 220 because I’m afraid if I don’t it’ll not polish as well in the end. I think that the definition varies in this thread. My first cab lesson from a "15 minute cab" guy was him grabbing a preformed piece of Morrisonite on a dopstick and running it down the genie with him explaining what he was doing and me watching. Probably was closer to 25 minutes, but he was narrating as he went and morrisonite isn't always straightforward anyway. If you go from unmarked slab to finished cab, I think the best anyone will do is maybe 30 minutes if you have a production line setup. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Oct 6, 2023 13:30:37 GMT -5
There is no right way. And, it will depend on the material and machine. I have a flat lap and I do NOT believe that I finished a cab on it. I just don't have that kind of patience. It certainly takes longer on a flat lap/slant lap. Walk your own walk- it's all good. Certainly not a contest. Whatever makes it fun and satisfying for YOU.
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,158
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Post by dshanpnw on Oct 7, 2023 6:56:34 GMT -5
One of my favorite stones to cab is Owyhee jasper because it shapes well, and it isn't super hard, and is easy to work with, but it still takes me about 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours for those. I'm pretty surprised at how fast some people can make a cab form the responses above. I can make one with Death Valley Indian Blanket rhyolite/jasper in about 20 minutes, super soft. A Montana agate can take me at least 2 hours, probably more, and sometimes when I can't get rid of the scratches I'll wait until the next day and try again. So for the in between on the Mohs scale, 6, it usually takes me at least 1 hour, and that's after it has been dopped. I use a 6" 6 wheel machine. I have taken lots of preforms off the dop and put them in a tumbler too if I think they are mediocre or might not cab right. I do that with a lot of heart shaped ones. Same here!! I’ve tumbled some Owyhee jasper but was too scared to try cabbing it because I got sucky results. Do you have any tips for getting a good polish on them? Most of the Owyhee jasper I have was bought online and I'd say 65-75% of it was not cabbing grade. I bought a lot, probably 30 pounds altogether. I tumble it just like any other rock, leave it in coarse stage until there's no cracks or pits, and then on to the vibe for the rest of the stages. I use AO polish and they come very good. I dedicated a 6# barrel to just Owyhee until it's all done. I think it is one of the most cooperative rocks I have worked with. |
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 7, 2023 7:37:11 GMT -5
Lee brought up "slab to cab"...if I go by that definition, it takes me FOREVER! Cutting out the shape...ten minutes. Forming the final shape on the wheels can take a good 20+ minutes, depending on the complexity of the shape.
When I'm shaping my cab (before it's even on dop), I work it all the way down to the 280 soft wheel. That way I don't have a ton of work trying to get scratches out once it's on dop and I'm working the dome.
So if you add all that stuff into making a cab, it takes WAY longer than 20 minutes...for me...
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