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Post by shek on Oct 28, 2006 14:26:10 GMT -5
Alright, folks-got my new motor for the lortone combo unit ;D! Been cutting some slabs of mahogany obsidean for practice (I've got a lot of it to play with). How thick do I cut my slabs for cabbing? Does the type of material make a difference? Just for the heck of it- can I cab the obsidean? Thanks in advance! Got to get ready for work, so I probably won't be able to check responses until tomorrow. Thickness in standard measurement please (metrics are beyond me). P.S.-Found out I cut rock like I drive (with a lead foot-or in this case a heavy hand). Killed one thin blade already. I do better with the heavier blade I've got on now  ! |
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Post by Tweetiepy on Oct 28, 2006 15:12:04 GMT -5
Go slow with the slabbing, as you've found out, the blades won't like it much! - makes a difference if you're cabbing double sided or not - I think 1/4" is pretty much fine for single sided cabs - specially if you want the light to go through. You can cab obsidian, and it does take an amazing shine too, but it is finicky in the sanding marks through, sometimes it's hard to get rid of the scratches from the previous drum.
Have fun, if you've got a ton of obsidian, play with it, get a feel for how to hold the stone. You can't really make mistakes - pretty much anything is fixeable
Anxious to see your cabs! Pictures are always good!
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Post by stoner on Oct 28, 2006 16:04:49 GMT -5
Yep, what Tweetie said. 1/4" is pretty much a good size for all opaque type stones. Personally, I like to cut my agate slabs a little thinner to allow more light to shine through so the inclusions show up better. Just jump right into the cabbing thing, I think you'll find it fun.
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Post by gemkoi on Oct 28, 2006 16:07:45 GMT -5
Tweetiepy is dead on. 1/4inch is what i prefer 99% of the time. materials like Quantoms(chrysocolla mixtures like what Jamie sells) is usally best cut thicker just to insure a stable slab, but if its primo stuff, 1/4inch is best. When i frist got into cabbing over 8 years ago. I actaully liked thicker 5/16inch slabs. Only becasue i found getting a dome was difficult. BUt as i progressed i found theres allot more work need and diamond used to work the thicker slabs. I found my technique was the problem and now have prefected it. As most cabs when i cut them, finish out under 1/4inch, and they are domed.
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yeahda1
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2005
Posts: 201
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Post by yeahda1 on Oct 28, 2006 16:07:43 GMT -5
1/4" works fine for most cabs but becareful with being heavy handed on obsidean. it is volcanic glass and it will chip and splinter. even though you have plenty of obsidean to play with it is the red stuff that leaks out of your hands from flying splinters that makes a mess lol
Dick B.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Oct 29, 2006 3:03:46 GMT -5
Hi Shek
See the thread on cutting Obsidian in the photo section
eg Mahogany Obsidian
Very helpfull
Jack
Yorkshire
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Post by shek on Oct 29, 2006 12:19:02 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! I've got to wait a few days to order the sanding belts and disks I'll need for the cabbing. In the mean time I can be slabbing. I've already got some slabs in the 1/4" range cut (pleasant surprise), I was playing around trying to see how thin I could cut without it breaking.
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