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 Jun 3, 2007 21:24:02 GMT -5
This is my second attempt at trying to make some cabs. I don't really have the equipment - I am using my bench grinder with standard wheels instead of diamond ones, and then finishing them by hand or throwing them in the tumbler. I think I am finally catching on to the shaping as I can get one done in about 15 minutes now (not counting polish). Still, it is turning out to be fun, and something I'd like to do alot more of. The last one is not finished yet - I haven't decided if I want to round it over or just polish it as is. Any suggestions??? Don't laugh too hard! All three...  A pastel for my wife - her eyes have all the same colors....  A thick yellow one - actually it was a teardrop that broke in the tumbler  .....  A misty mountain sunrise - the white spots are part of the stone and not flash....  Thanks for looking! |
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adrian65
Cave Dweller 
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on Jun 3, 2007 21:31:58 GMT -5
I would't call them trys - they seem to be some beautiful cabs! That "broken teardrop" is so beautiful, but the other two are very close. The round one seems to be a landscape from Mars seen through a spaceship window.
Adrian
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spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher
Alba gu bra! In Promptu
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413
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Post by spikeict on Jun 3, 2007 21:34:23 GMT -5
Love them all but the misty mountain, and the triangle stand out. I know how hard it is to do with a bench grinder that is running at twice the speed and keeping the chipping down to minimum.
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Post by stoner on Jun 3, 2007 23:45:18 GMT -5
Those look great. You are getting the hang of it pretty quickly. When the day comes that you get a lapidary grinder, you'll really appreciate it.
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Post by Lady B on Jun 4, 2007 9:29:45 GMT -5
Very mpressive considering the tools you are working with. I like the round misty marshland the best, but the one you worked for your wife...how beautifully romantic!
Lady B
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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 Jun 4, 2007 11:55:14 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for the kind words of encouragement!  I want to get a cabbing machine eventually, but it is just as fun doing them this way. I might even try to convert this arbor over and make my own out of it. As for the mountain scene - I am going to leave it like it is and hand polish it. I am afraid to do any more as the slab was only about 1/16" thick and it will shatter with too much pressure. |
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erbojones
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2006
Posts: 659
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Post by erbojones on Jun 4, 2007 12:01:25 GMT -5
Wow, you can do that with just an ordinary grinder? Looks like you are a pro already! Good job.
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jjckitti
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2007
Posts: 775
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Post by jjckitti on Jun 6, 2007 20:16:24 GMT -5
those turned out really nice. I love them
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raqy
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2007
Posts: 799
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Post by raqy on Jun 6, 2007 22:11:32 GMT -5
They are all great but the round one is awesome!
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one80mike
freely admits to licking rocks
@(-_-)@ Princess Leia!
Member since February 2007
Posts: 908
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Post by one80mike on Jun 7, 2007 0:02:45 GMT -5
They're looking great!
I am getting my first cab attempts out of a tumbled polish tonight.
I am also using a standard bench grinder with standard SiC wheels. One is a 60 grit and the other is a 120 grit. Once shaped and beveled, I'm doing 10 days in 220, 10 in 600 and 10 in tin oxide. We'll see how they look in a few hours!
I can appreciate how tricky and frustrating it can be with chipped and cracked rocks on the high speed wheels and you have done a top job!
Mike
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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 Jun 8, 2007 22:47:26 GMT -5
Mike - I am lucky enough to be able to change the speeds a little on the arbor - It is an old homemade grinder from my Dad. There is a triple pulley wheel on the motor and I can change the speed of the belt though that. It is still way faster than I like - I have snapped a few pieces in half when I catch one in just the wrong way!?! I have 60grit and a 100grit wheels but they are standard metal wheels for sharpening - waiting on a chance to buy a set of diamonds to slap on there, once my allowance gets back up there - lol!
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Post by rockds on Jun 8, 2007 23:08:05 GMT -5
not bad for a bench grinder
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.....
I want to get a cabbing machine eventually, but it is just as fun doing them this way. I might even try to convert this arbor over and make my own out of it. As for the mountain scene - I am going to leave it like it is and hand polish it. I am afraid to do any more as the slab was only about 1/16" thick and it will shatter with too much pressure.
