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Post by Tweetiepy on Mar 15, 2006 11:48:47 GMT -5
How do you decide which part of the slab to make a cab with? Do you move the template around the stone to find ONE spectacular cab even if it's dead centre & it scraps much of the slab leaving room for only small cabs, or do you try to get as many fairly nice cabs in there trying to waste as little material as possible while getting the maximum space used up? I tend to try to try to get many cabs in there maybe because I don,t have many slabs to select from and would hate to scrap a whole slab just to get one cab in there - no matter how spectacular the cab would look - maybe I'm just bad at template placement as I never found that one spectacular cab yet but I seem to have excellent material to start with, although I think my cabs are amazing anyways - maybe I'm a template virgin now too!   I can't seem to get away from the templates, and for what I've done so far, those seem to give me the nicest finished products - I've tried freehand but I need more practice - which I intend to get soon once I place that order of mine! How do you use your slabs?  |
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Mar 15, 2006 12:13:58 GMT -5
Tweet- I just got some templates- and I love them- But you do bring up a good point- So what I have done so far- is to look at the material as a whole- see what I can get max from- Sometimes the material dictates a freeform (most bang for the buck) but other times a template (calibrated size) is in oder- Also tweet a lot dictates what you want to get from the stone (a squared off pattern may not look good on and oval). Patterns, defects, Druzy, softspots, fractures- it all adds up in the equation- I usually move the template around- trying to balance the waste with the patterns- It is difficult but kinda fun- and the more you practice- the easier (NOT) it gets-
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Post by rockds on Mar 15, 2006 18:26:17 GMT -5
I look at the slab and find the 'best' cab and then work around that spot. I do not use any templates but I invision what would look the best with the pattern on the slab. If you used a template, I would think it would be easier as you could outline where you wished each cab to be and work from there.
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Post by krazydiamond on Mar 15, 2006 19:12:32 GMT -5
i go for the best cab first, wet the slab, move the template around (this is after a few weeks of "circling" the slab in general, looking at it, lots of lick time involved, both sides, putting it down). i often chop off an end hunk now to get a feel for the stone before i totally waste a great piece. once i get the first few "killer" pieces marked out, i try to get "bang for the buck" with some other economically (ergonomicaly?) but still interesting pieces for grinding, and still keeping a mindful eye for good tumble shapes. nothing goes to waste really. if a piece fractures, it's tumble. if it looked good when sawing but gets passed over for grinding, it's tumble.
what doesn't get to be fish, gets to be aquarium bottom. sounds like a philosophy, eh?
KD
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Mar 16, 2006 4:06:47 GMT -5
Hi Tweetiepy , I use some templates as im just a beginer If you see rocksd above and see his creations you will soon realise why he looks at the rocks first, they are out of this world !! I also see how my slab has cut and can often get a nice end shape that is "natural" and just grind down the knife edges before putting it in the tumbler (as im not a Proffesional like Rocksd above) I havent the grinding wheels and mops to finish just yet!! Have a look at others designs make a few of your own templates out of plastic, and move em around on the rock's some times if the design is straight across it is just ordanary but , move it around to a angle on a oval and its amazing ! Have a good day Jack Yorkshire UK |
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,494
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Post by Sabre52 on Mar 16, 2006 11:00:41 GMT -5
Tweetie: I use templates quite a bit as I like standardized cabs for my type collection but I always choose just the best part of the slab for the stone to take advantge of the best colors and patterns. Lately though, I've been cutting more materials like Coyamito Agate, Condor and Plume Agate so I've been finding myself cutting more freeforms to take more advantage of the patterns. I don't get as much use from each slab but I throw the scraps into the tumbler or use them for smaller cabs......mel
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Mar 16, 2006 11:02:12 GMT -5
Another thing I like to do tweet- is to lay out my cut lines- After I scribe the rock I grab a pencil and a ruler and draw out the cut lines- then I can make sure that the cuts can be made correctly- As KD said- Nothing goes to waste- If I can pick it up (chips and such) it goes into a container- then when I need some filler- of I just feel like tumbling lots of tiny chips) I dump it into the tumbler- Also edges, pits, bad spots- whatevers- also go into the tumble bin- the only real waste for me is the sludge in the bottom of the water tray- Another thing I like to do is to Square off a slab- I cut all the rough edges off a slab- Then I'll often try the edges on the grinder (kinda like KD does- to get a feel for the material)- Most of all is to have fun!
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Post by gemkoi on Mar 18, 2006 17:24:04 GMT -5
Yes, All and any method does work for trying to figure out shape for a finished cab. I use templates sometimes at frist just to gauge size, in ralation to pattern/color/contrast. I will make sure if there any fracutres or bad pits, to cut around, or break the piece along those failues and work a freeform from there. ONe of my favorite ways is with a pair of tile nippers. ANd let the stone do the talking. And as other sugest, sometimes you must just follow the stone pattern to get the best finished shape. IN any case, work you rough grind, and look back over the shape. AS you may want to refine it more before moving on.
Templates are great for gauging size, use protactors and other drafting rulers which help also for wild shapes.
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lotarocks445
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2005
Posts: 100
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Post by lotarocks445 on Mar 18, 2006 19:00:13 GMT -5
i take a hammer and hit the slab lightly and let the stone set the shapes
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aunuts
fully equipped rock polisher
Some days are gold, some are rocks. Either is cool.
Member since March 2006
Posts: 1,110
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Post by aunuts on Mar 18, 2006 20:21:36 GMT -5
I use both methods (templates & freeforms) with the scraps ending up in the tumbler. Also, don't be afraid to try freeform. It's not hard, but will come easily once you are more comfortable with the rock & procedure. But remember, as Stefan said, the main thing is to have fun & enjoy!
Jo
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Mar 19, 2006 18:35:33 GMT -5
Also look to outside the standard Templates- I have a computer drafting template that gives me some cool shapes- As Gemkoi stated also Drafting equipment- also Raid your childrens artbox- there are some cool shapes in those kiddie templates- My next major project is gonna be a stone alphabet- I just gotta figure out what size letters to use- Be wild-
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Post by rocklicker on Mar 20, 2006 5:09:55 GMT -5
I usually try and figure out where the fractures are and work around them. After that I concentrate on the best spots. If it looks like I can do a calibrated shape, I do that. Otherwise, I just draw it on the slab by hand, letting the rock tell me what it wants. Sometimes I use parts of templates, like half of a curve or something, then draw the rest.
I freehand especially if it's a rare rock or there is a neat pattern. So for me it's: fracture avoidance, go by what the rocks says and where that fancy spots are, get a calibrated size if possible, then draw whatever comes up.
Steve
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Mar 21, 2006 20:59:43 GMT -5
Hey Tweetiepy, It's been a long time ... good to see that you are still chasing your dreams! As far as I am concerned ... free-forms, templates and just about any other form or shape is highly collectable  It all depends on what the customer is looking for ... some only like calibrated shapes and others only like free-form shapes. I currently have just over 60 different templates ... some are factory made and others are self made. My templates are not only from lapidary shops ... but from floral designes, cake decoration kits, childrens templates, any of the craft templates from Hobby Lobby or Michael's craft shops, leaves from our area trees, shapes of guitar picks, fishing lures, ladies earrings ... the possibilities are just about endless. I have created my own templates by taking a 3 x 5 index card, folding it in half and creating a shape then cutting the shape out. Being mirror imaged, the symetry is always a guaranteed ... as long as both pieces of the index card are held firmly in place when being cut. I have cut so many cabs over the years ... I have a acquired the ability to pick out choice cabs and shapes without needing any templates ... this is just something that you will learn in time. I go into rock shops and always have an eye peeled back for something that really pops! Believe me, you know when you find one ... it is like a neon sign and a horrific opera singer screaming at you ... this is it ... this is it! In time you will find that you will be able to get away from the templates. As you cut each piece, be very aware of the differences in the pattern as you work through the stone. This will help you to determine when subtle differences are encountered and when you can get themn to work in your favor. It all comes down to practice, practice, practice. Keep up the great work Bear |
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