Post by snowdog on Dec 21, 2005 12:31:13 GMT -5
Steve, you will prob be sorry you asked --will be way to long --Anyway ,here's how the ugly rock starts out.
I like to saw one side flat then glue it to a board so I can make the slabs the same thickness,also the board is easier to clamp and hold (the rock by it'self wants to vibrate loose while sawing because of the rough sides)
After getting a bunch of slabs cut , I put them thu the tumblers , all the same steps you would for any stones --only usually it takes about twice as long because of the flat sides (60/90, 220. 600, 1000, polish, etc) some won't look right so they go back a step --may take up to 8 months but when they are done they look like glass
by now I have a pattern drawn out (if I remember what I wanted to make) and am ready to start cutting (secert step here so don't tell anyone) I found if you get the paper address labels you can cut the label then put it on the slab to trim ---makes it way to easy --when done just peel the label off
then if you go to the stained glass hobby shop they have a copper foil they use -there are different widths so get the one that will allow about 1/16" on each side--wrap the edges and crimp them over, then solder--easiest to use a liquid flux
for the next slab slide the paper label under the edge of the last piece, mark with pencil ,cut and put on , repeat this until all pieces are done ---trim with saw ,grind or use dremel to get the pieces to fit as close as possible --narrow joints usually look the best--I also usually tack solder each piece as I go to hold them in place
one side almost done ---only three more to go ---aaaahh, getting close now
I find that it usually takes 1/2-1 hour for each piece-- to cut and trim, wrap, and solder ---and finally it comes together
and it's only been a year or more since it was that ugly ole rock--------- the end-----easy enough that anyone can do --just need some time
I like to saw one side flat then glue it to a board so I can make the slabs the same thickness,also the board is easier to clamp and hold (the rock by it'self wants to vibrate loose while sawing because of the rough sides)
After getting a bunch of slabs cut , I put them thu the tumblers , all the same steps you would for any stones --only usually it takes about twice as long because of the flat sides (60/90, 220. 600, 1000, polish, etc) some won't look right so they go back a step --may take up to 8 months but when they are done they look like glass
by now I have a pattern drawn out (if I remember what I wanted to make) and am ready to start cutting (secert step here so don't tell anyone) I found if you get the paper address labels you can cut the label then put it on the slab to trim ---makes it way to easy --when done just peel the label off
then if you go to the stained glass hobby shop they have a copper foil they use -there are different widths so get the one that will allow about 1/16" on each side--wrap the edges and crimp them over, then solder--easiest to use a liquid flux
for the next slab slide the paper label under the edge of the last piece, mark with pencil ,cut and put on , repeat this until all pieces are done ---trim with saw ,grind or use dremel to get the pieces to fit as close as possible --narrow joints usually look the best--I also usually tack solder each piece as I go to hold them in place
one side almost done ---only three more to go ---aaaahh, getting close now
I find that it usually takes 1/2-1 hour for each piece-- to cut and trim, wrap, and solder ---and finally it comes together
and it's only been a year or more since it was that ugly ole rock--------- the end-----easy enough that anyone can do --just need some time
after getting the four sides done I just couldn't get motivated to get them finished up -- I finally forced myself to do it ! ;D
