ThomasT
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2022
Posts: 616
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Post by ThomasT on Apr 25, 2024 20:34:31 GMT -5
How thick of the slab should a good slab be in your opinion for single sided Cab and double-sided Cab for most Opaque material and Translucent material?
I have read old threads and wondered if opinions had changed.
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Post by vegasjames on Apr 25, 2024 20:58:32 GMT -5
In my opinion it depends on the cab size. I find larger cabs require thicker slabs.
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller 
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,483
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Post by realrockhound on Apr 25, 2024 21:18:38 GMT -5
In my opinion it depends on the cab size. I find larger cabs require thicker slabs. Ain’t that the truth. I prefer larger cabs because I cut them for display, not jewelry. Hard as hell to get a decent dome on a large cab if the slab is too thin. |
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,818 
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Post by Mark K on Apr 26, 2024 9:07:56 GMT -5
I cut mine around 8mm. That is 9 turns on my 18" Frantom. People have told me that they really like that my slabs are a little thicker than the others because it gives them more room to wiggle and more options for the slab. If they want it thinner, they just thin down the cut off preform to the thickness they like. They still have the options for the remainder of the slab.
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Post by Rockoonz on Apr 26, 2024 9:24:42 GMT -5
I am a 7 turn guy on the FranTom 18, and usually 6 on the 14 FranTom with the thinner blade, nets me about 1/4", so 6ish mm for the French.
If I planned a double dome ahead of time it would be thicker, since all my double sided cabs are drilled as beads or groove wrapped. Better materials, especially those that are traditionally cut into small cabs, can be significantly thinner, even down to under 1/8" for things I will glue to backing.
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 26, 2024 11:00:12 GMT -5
I like 5.5 to 6mm. I have never cut or bought for double dome or grooving. I just use what thick ones I had.
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,979
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Post by khara on Apr 26, 2024 17:26:35 GMT -5
1/4” or about 6mm. If I happen to have thicker slabs I just do a higher dome though I’ve found I don’t really care for high domes. I typically cut cabs around 1” or so in size so not huge. I also don’t care too much for thinner slabs but if I have them I just do a really low dome cab and probably I’ve developed a preference for low domes over high domes. Maybe I should save my thicker slabs for some really big cabs, or display pieces like mentioned above.
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ThomasT
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2022
Posts: 616
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Post by ThomasT on Apr 27, 2024 10:14:38 GMT -5
It appears perhaps few make double cabs.
I like double sided cabs a lot since many stones have two great sides and the stone as a pendant can spin anyway it wants on a bail.
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