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Post by Tonyterner on Oct 4, 2007 12:49:15 GMT -5
Well I've been threatening to make some cabs for quite a while. I finally got my cabbing machine all hooked up and gave it a go. These are the first three I've finished and are of mixed results. Now I must admit I still don't have everything I need, still waiting on some resin belts and diamond paste (can't seem to get a hold of jadecarver). They were ground to 600 grit and then I used my buffer for woodturning to finish them with tripoli and then a aluminum oxide compound. I figure they to about 3000 grit. The one on the left is amazonite. I got a fairly good dome on the piece but zero shine. I need to go way higher with diamond paste or try Zam. The middle one is an unknown ebay purchase. I didn't do a very good job on the shape or the dome, flat spots. The right one, rhodochrosite, turned out incredible, at least in my very very humble opinion. ;D Just kidding, it did turn out nice though, I got a nice dome on it and it really shined up. Thanks to all those here who have helped me reach this point. Tony M
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erbojones
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2006
Posts: 659
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Post by erbojones on Oct 4, 2007 12:58:30 GMT -5
They look very impressive - don't look like first timers!!
My attempts are very wonky and I can't get the flat part off from my dome but I'll keep on plugging away - you look like you are there already.
Your templates have worked really well!!!
Good job!!
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stonesnbones
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2007
Posts: 255
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Post by stonesnbones on Oct 4, 2007 13:00:05 GMT -5
Tony,looking good very nice eye for design.Flat spots are the scourge of all new cabbers and you will do better as your hand becomes atune to required motion.Now take this as a comment nothing more,the stone on the left does not have the charateristics of amazonite.I say its a jade maybe serpintine.
Brad
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,789
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Post by adrian65 on Oct 4, 2007 13:01:54 GMT -5
I like the one in the midle, having that shield shape. Isn't it ruby in some matrix, zoisite maibe?
Adrian
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181lizard
Cave Dweller
Still lurking :)
Member since December 2005
Posts: 2,171
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Post by 181lizard on Oct 4, 2007 13:52:21 GMT -5
The shapes are great Tony!
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Oct 4, 2007 14:13:50 GMT -5
ALRIGHT TONY!!! Congrates- se not so bad huh? As for flat spots- well I've been cabbing for 2 years and I still manage to get flat spots- As for your shapes WODERFUL!!! COngrates
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Post by rocklicker on Oct 4, 2007 17:54:17 GMT -5
Great first batch Tony. Now just keep doing it over and over again until yyou turn into Ed ;D. I like the shapes a lot. Flat spots can happen very easily. I too get them if I'm not paying attention. Your cabs look great to me. I especially like the ice cream cone one on the right. Nice use of a rough edge. Steve
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Post by texaswoodie on Oct 4, 2007 17:55:39 GMT -5
I like 'em. Great first cabs Tony!
Curt
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Post by Jurrasic Jonje on Oct 4, 2007 17:56:04 GMT -5
Those look great. Hope Joi and I can make cabs that nice once our machine gets here.
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huffstuff
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since August 2007
Posts: 1,222
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Post by huffstuff on Oct 4, 2007 18:09:27 GMT -5
Great shapes, nice colors, wow. When you are famous, I can say "I knew Tony before he made his first cab!"
Keep on posting!
Amy
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Post by larrywyland3 on Oct 4, 2007 18:29:25 GMT -5
Great shapes. I agree they don't look like first timer cabs; also you don't have a complete set up so you should feel great about those. The flat spots will become easier and easier to avoid as you go. A good practice for anyone is to work with a batch and do them all on one wheel and then move onto the next. This gives the first one time to dry and you can inspect it to make sure it is ready to move on. I get to impatient and want to see what it will look like when it is done so I go one at a time. As a result, every once in a while I will get to the end and find one tiny little flat spot and have to redo. Keep em coming can't wait to see all those shapes you created on your computer.
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firewalker45
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 929
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Post by firewalker45 on Oct 4, 2007 18:52:11 GMT -5
Wow those are super for your first cabs! Keep up the great work and keep the pics coming. Daniel
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Post by Cher on Oct 4, 2007 19:19:02 GMT -5
Very nice for your first cabs Tony, that middle one looks like unikite on the top part (pink and green), not sure with the white running through it unless that's a band of quartz. At any rate, it's a great looking cab.
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Post by LCARS on Oct 4, 2007 23:03:32 GMT -5
Hey, not bad Tony! I don't have anything more than a dremel with a few cheap diamond bits and the old tumbler so I couldn't even get as far as you did with those.
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dtcmor
freely admits to licking rocks
Back to lickin' rocks again!
Member since May 2006
Posts: 898
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Post by dtcmor on Oct 4, 2007 23:11:25 GMT -5
Great job Tony! I really like the shield shape! Now that you've started, you'll be hooked for sure!
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Post by connrock on Oct 5, 2007 7:42:02 GMT -5
Hey guy you did GREAT!!!!
I've seen 1st time cabs that looked like they stopped off at Iraq first!
Make sure you keep all 3 so you can look back at them as you progress!!!
connrock
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Post by Tonyterner on Oct 5, 2007 10:37:07 GMT -5
Thanks all for the compliments. All I can say is I learned almost everything I know here. Brad, You're right, its not amozonite, I goofed. I got it in a box from a local cabber, I'll have to ask him when I see him tomorrow. I'll ask him about the middle one two, maybe he can ID it for me.
Spiritstone, I have been doing several on one wheel then the next wheel. I just find it easier that way.
Connrock, I will keep most of the cabs I make. I may occasionly give one to my wife to wrap is she is very very nice to me. ;D (Shhhh, Don't tell her I said that)
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