lsmike
spending too much on rocks
Maxwell's demon lowers tumbling entropy
Member since January 2007
Posts: 468
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Post by lsmike on Nov 14, 2007 19:20:52 GMT -5
I usually use my trim saw to get off most of the excess,grind close to the line on the rough wheel then finish on my GlassStar grinder.This is fairly fast,but I'm wondering how others do it.
Thanks,Mike.
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Nov 14, 2007 19:25:32 GMT -5
Since I mostly do freeforms, I often will tumble a rock in coarse for a few weeks before even slabbing, then use the natural outline as the shape, or else grind it to a preferred shape on the wheel.
I think the procedure you describe above is the generally accepted method for doing shapes from templates or otherwise "calibrated" shapes
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Post by stardiamond on Nov 14, 2007 19:34:00 GMT -5
I draw or trace a shape on the top. I then use the trim saw to cut the shape but leave a little room so I can draw or trace the shape on the bottom. I then use my wheels working through the grits to get to the bottom line. If the material is hard, not likely to break and away from the line, I start with 80 grit, then 220 hard, then 220 Nova, otherwise I start with the 220.
I then draw the girdle line and a center line on the top. The cabs are now ready start grinding.
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Post by rockds on Nov 15, 2007 2:41:07 GMT -5
trim saw to 30 grit hex galaxy wheel
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lsmike
spending too much on rocks
Maxwell's demon lowers tumbling entropy
Member since January 2007
Posts: 468
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Post by lsmike on Nov 15, 2007 9:47:11 GMT -5
Thank you all! I'll bet that 30 hex really hogs off material, but does it tend to cause chipping? Mike.
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Post by texaswoodie on Nov 15, 2007 10:40:28 GMT -5
I'm not as experienced as the others here, but when I do freeforms I usually have no idea what it's going to look like. I saw away all the bad stuff I can see with a WF. Then I just start grinding and the stone more or less takes the shape it wants to be.
Curt
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Post by stardiamond on Nov 15, 2007 12:18:39 GMT -5
Curt, I call those self designing cabs.
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Post by rockds on Nov 17, 2007 0:58:29 GMT -5
I use the 30 hex to preform not cab, you don't want to get too close to anything with the 30 grit. After the 30 I move to an 80 grit and then a 220. After that it goes to the nova wheels.
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