statik367
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2024
Posts: 3
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Post by statik367 on Aug 19, 2024 10:06:27 GMT -5
Hello all,
I am new to this hobby and I am loving it so far. I do have some questions, if y'all don't mind.
The main question, I currently live in a big city in an apartment. I don't really have a lot of space, and I don't have a place outside I can leave thing. Do any of you have a recommendation in a compact way to make cabs? My initial thought was a flat lap, but I wanted to see what the pros would recommend. Also, speaking of compact, any recommendations on a good, also compact, saw to cut the cabs out of the slabs?
I would eventually like to make my own slabs, but I figure that can wait till I buy a house and have the space for it. But in the meantime, are there any good recommendations on where to get slabs? I'm sure Etsy is the easy go to, but again, wanted to see if there was other options as well.
Thank you for your time.
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purplepatch
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2024
Posts: 10
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Post by purplepatch on Aug 19, 2024 13:40:24 GMT -5
I don’t have any advice at all about tools, since I’m very new as well and have limited experience.
As for slabs, in my general area there are gem and mineral shows/fairs every month or two, and amongst the vendors there are several who sell slabs at all price ranges (most even display the slabs in or near water so you can see the possible cabbing results).
The price to attend these fairs has ranged from $0-6 per person. And there are a lot of different types of vendors and booths. All in all, the fairs have been an interesting way to spend a couple of hours each time. I like the community a lot, it’s a great vibe.
And btw, regarding the vendors with rough materials for sale, it would have been hard not to find some slabs worth buying.
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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 Aug 19, 2024 14:05:27 GMT -5
Put up some tarps and close a section up in a corner to keep the dust down. Put in a cabbing unit on a table. Prepare to piss your neighbors off. Grinding ain’t quiet 😂
Honestly though. I think you’re out of luck. The noise alone probably won’t go over too well.
You can also buy preforms and such like slabs on eBay.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059 
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Post by gemfeller on Aug 19, 2024 14:33:07 GMT -5
My recommendation is to try to find a local rock club with shop facilities until you're able to buy a house. Hopefully there will be one in your area. Cabbing can be a little messy and noisy for apartments but with planning and care it can be done. I think your choice of a slant cabber is a good one, especially from an economic standpoint. A Diamond Pacific Pixie would be good but it's more than twice as expensive and limits you to 4-inch wheels which are of no use if you choose a 6 or 8-inch cabber later.
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Post by pebblesky on Aug 19, 2024 14:55:23 GMT -5
Welcome! With all the noise, splashing water and dust you would want as much space, preferably separate from your main living space with very good ventilation and ideally soundproof, as possible, for your own safety and for your neighbor's mental health. Disposal of waste water is also going to be quite troublesome. Local rock club sounds a great idea.
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Post by cabby on Aug 19, 2024 15:25:00 GMT -5
If you don’t have a local rock club shop space you can also check out maker/hacker spaces. They may already have lapidary or glasswork machines that are suitable, or allow you to set up a small lapidary area that other members can use as well after training. The makerspace I used to go to also had small spaces that members could rent for personal shop space if they did not want to share their equipment and materials.
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Post by Pat on Aug 19, 2024 15:58:25 GMT -5
Where are you?
Go to amfed.org
That’s American Federation of Mineralogical Societies. There you can find the clubs near you. Federation shows are good sources of slabbed material, and lots of other material and tools.
Good luck and welcome from California.
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,157
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Post by dshanpnw on Aug 19, 2024 18:51:38 GMT -5
I like buying slabs at rock shows because you can see and feel it before you buy it. There is usually something good and not too expensive at the shows if you have any close by. Some people do well with a slant cabber. There are 4" and 6" trim saws that are great for shaping your preform, cutting out your design from the slab. Not all clubs have equipment, but maybe one near you does. That is a great place to start.
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 19, 2024 19:17:12 GMT -5
I'm here to help... maybe. I have a small place in the city. I can't slab because of the neighbors. I CAN run my DP Genie cabbing unit INSIDE. It's really not that messy or loud. I will say that the 80 grit hard wheel that it ships with can be loud, but I now have a 60 grit sintered wheel which is a whole lot quieter. I have terry cloth bib that I wear. Other than that- it's not messy. I do it on my kitchen table that doubles as mine and my husband's hobby table. The trick is to find a place to move it when you are done. I have an old computer hutch that we don't use for the computer anymore (we use laptops). It's a perfect fit. Yeah, it's heavy, but not too heavy. You could buy another brand, like the Kingsley cabber, which people love, but I have a Genie- who I like to call Gene.
You could start with a flat lap cabber, like an Ameritool, but after all my years here, I don't think anyone ever stuck with one. Why waste the time learning it, which is different than the wheels, and the expense if you're just gonna end up unhappy and move to wheels anyway?
Hope that was helpful.
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Post by stardiamond on Aug 19, 2024 19:47:38 GMT -5
I have a Genie and use it outside, but is perfect for indoor use. It is a very versatile machine. It has a removable arbor so using more than 6 wheels is possible. It has a trim saw attachment and can accept an end lap or different polishing pads. I buy most of my slabs and rough on face book. Hobbyists selling to hobbyists. Etsy is much more expensive. eBay is worth looking at. Two members here have rock shops and offer deals here and on FB.
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