johnthor1963
starting to spend too much on rocks
Cattle dogs rock
Member since June 2023
Posts: 236
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Post by johnthor1963 on Mar 4, 2024 21:00:44 GMT -5
The more look at everybody’s work I keep wondering where your templates are coming from. I have a basic set with standard shapes circles ovals and pears. Some of the shapes that get posted here are fantastic the shapes and materials. I’m still working on finding decent slabs, being so new to this it’s hard to judge good from something I should pass on. Well thx for reading.
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Post by Son Of Beach on Mar 4, 2024 22:49:39 GMT -5
The more look at everybody’s work I keep wondering where your templates are coming from. I have a basic set with standard shapes circles ovals and pears. Some of the shapes that get posted here are fantastic the shapes and materials. I’m still working on finding decent slabs, being so new to this it’s hard to judge good from something I should pass on. Well thx for reading. Keep digging in the cabachon section, there are resources, I think maybe even stickied? |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Mar 4, 2024 23:06:14 GMT -5
The more look at everybody’s work I keep wondering where your templates are coming from. I have a basic set with standard shapes circles ovals and pears. Some of the shapes that get posted here are fantastic the shapes and materials. I’m still working on finding decent slabs, being so new to this it’s hard to judge good from something I should pass on. Well thx for reading. Here are some templates you can download. A lot of people get templates from Cabtopia on Etsy. I have some of them and they are quality templates with different shapes than the standard cab shapes. |
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Post by liveoak on Mar 5, 2024 7:15:34 GMT -5
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,979
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Post by khara on Mar 5, 2024 7:16:51 GMT -5
Yep, check Etsy, Amazon, Rio Grande, and then also lapidary specific sites. Search in general online for templates for lapidary, cabochons, jewelry, and even clay or metal work. Make sure the listing or seller provides sufficient sizing info so you can tell whether the shapes will suit your style. Some of the ones I bought are way too big for my preferences. I did a lot of random searching and ended up getting some from all three stores I mentioned first. I’m still deciding which ones I like best. I don’t get near enough cabbing time in so it’ll probably be a long time before I narrow down my favorites. By the way, this months cabochon contest winner gets a gift card to Suva Lapidary and I know they sell templates. The contest shape is just an equilateral triangle so that’s easy enough to draw without a template.
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Post by rmf on Mar 5, 2024 16:51:08 GMT -5
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Mar 5, 2024 18:08:04 GMT -5
Thanks, Patty! I copied the link and then forgot to do that dang paste thingy. SFB!  |
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roQhound
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2023
Posts: 104
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Post by roQhound on Mar 6, 2024 17:44:04 GMT -5
I haven't cut enough cabs yet to be confident in my own free hand shapes (that'll be next), and I got tired of searching for templates, so I decided to just buy a set of the "slabs to cab" ones from Baldy Mesa Studios. I'm happy with them and they're quite a bit cheaper than the Cabtopia ones. baldymesastudios.com/collections/b-series-templates |
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,979
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Post by khara on Mar 6, 2024 19:40:47 GMT -5
roQhound In all my searching and shopping I never ran across those sets. They look nice. Do you feel the size graduation is good, as in not too big of a jump from one size to the next smaller or larger size for the same shape? That was one area I noticed some templates lacked, and also some were just way too big in general for my taste.
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Post by jasoninsd on Mar 7, 2024 21:37:41 GMT -5
I'm not saying "I've" done this...but I've heard of people doing the following. If a person searches Google for lapidary templates, a lot of images will come up. If that same person saves the picture, they could potentially use Photoshop or Paint to alter the sizes of the template shapes. Then those could potentially be printed off on photo paper...then laminated...then cut the shapes out.
Not suggesting or promoting this method...just typing out loud...
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gunsil
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2023
Posts: 345
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Post by gunsil on Mar 7, 2024 22:08:34 GMT -5
There are a plethora of templates in many shapes at any decent art supply store. You can also use more than one template for one design. For instance you can use two or three sides from one template and use another to make the missing side. I sometimes freehand draw my desired shape on a slab.
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller 
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,494
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Post by realrockhound on Mar 7, 2024 23:29:16 GMT -5
Wait a second… y’all are using templates? I’ve just been drawing them by hand and eyeing them symmetrical on the wheels this entire time 🤦♂️
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johnthor1963
starting to spend too much on rocks
Cattle dogs rock
Member since June 2023
Posts: 236
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Post by johnthor1963 on Mar 9, 2024 8:49:08 GMT -5
Thx for your responses I have found a few templates that I think I like. Thanks again for all the helpful suggestions.
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roQhound
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2023
Posts: 104
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Post by roQhound on Mar 11, 2024 17:12:17 GMT -5
roQhound In all my searching and shopping I never ran across those sets. They look nice. Do you feel the size graduation is good, as in not too big of a jump from one size to the next smaller or larger size for the same shape? That was one area I noticed some templates lacked, and also some were just way too big in general for my taste. Khara, I think the sizing is good personally. I'm happy with them, but I do consider myself new to cabbing. Q |
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Post by stardiamond on Mar 11, 2024 17:45:56 GMT -5
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Post by rmf on Mar 11, 2024 19:30:29 GMT -5
BTW the Highland Park Templates come in plastic and there is another set available in stainless steel. The stainless set has 10 templates and the plastic has 8 templates |
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,818 
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Post by Mark K on Mar 11, 2024 21:02:04 GMT -5
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