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Post by bobby1 on Nov 28, 2007 23:00:18 GMT -5
Sometimes I slab some Woodward Plume Agate and it is so dark you can't distinguish the patterns even when it is slabbed real thin. On this piece I flattened one side and attached a thin slab of translucent agate. I then ground it down on the other side like I would do on a triplet. I capped it with clear quartz and cabbed it like I usually do for a triplet. The first picture shows the back with the agate attached.  This picture shows the front with the Quartz attached.  This one is a side view of the "sandwich"  This one is the finished cab  Here is another one that I finished  Bob |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2007 23:23:09 GMT -5
Ooooh yeah Bob. Theres a reason I always jump when I see your name on a thread. Those are drop dead gorgeous cabs. Great technique.
Shannon
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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 Nov 29, 2007 2:06:14 GMT -5
Wow, Bob, amazing cab! Great tutorial about doublets. What do you use for attaching the slab, epoxy?
Adrian
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Post by texaswoodie on Nov 29, 2007 7:25:22 GMT -5
Very cool Cabs!
Curt
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Post by akansan on Nov 29, 2007 11:07:56 GMT -5
Definitely beautiful! Adrian beat me to my question though!  |
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Post by Tonyterner on Nov 29, 2007 11:53:56 GMT -5
Holy smokes that is stunning. I didn't realize that a clear layer of quartz would bring out the pattern like that.
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Post by midnightrocksi3 on Nov 29, 2007 12:54:19 GMT -5
Now that is just down right Rockgenius.. how clever is that? I love that idea.!!
Man I am so glad I get to See some of the Greats Make their magic AAAND read their tips..
( I feel like I need to curtsy or something) lol
Roxy ;D
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Post by bobby1 on Nov 29, 2007 13:29:53 GMT -5
I use only Epoxy 330 to attach the layers. 5 minute Epoxy sets too fast and you can't get the bubbles out before it sets. Epoxy 220 has a slight yellow color so I don't use it. I don't use a flat lap either . I grind the surfaces by hand on a sheet of glass using tumbling grit. It goes rather quickly. I use this method for all of my assembled stones including opal triplets and doublets.
Bob
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Post by Titania on Nov 29, 2007 13:45:53 GMT -5
Gorgeous! And what an awesome idea!
So, to grind the pieces by hand, do you start with a small pile of tumbling grit and then just go to it?
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Post by krazydiamond on Nov 29, 2007 18:30:43 GMT -5
that is gorgeous, methinks this need to get posted in the Lapidary Tips! i've been meaning to try a doublet, i have a lot of weird arse plume that is pretty funky because it is so thick.....never though about hand lapping it!
KD
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Post by bobby1 on Nov 29, 2007 20:04:13 GMT -5
The basic process is:
Start with a 6" by 6" piece of glass, a few drops of water and some 220 grit in an old salt shaker. Put the grit on the water and start grinding your piece by moving it in a figure 8 pattern. Keep grinding until you remove all of the saw marks. Always rinse and dry the piece before inspecting it. Next scrape the used slurry in the trash, rinse the glass and proceed to the 400 grit. Rinse and inspect to see that you have removed the larger pits from the previous grit. Go to the final grit - 600. The final surface should be rather smooth but will still have minute pits from the 600 grit stage. This is OK because the adhesive will fill the pits and there will be a surface that the adhesive can adhere to. Wash and rinse the piece with soapy water and dry thoroughly. Wipe it with denatured alcohol (the same stuff that I use in my alcohol lamp for dopping) and place it under a 100 watt lamp to heat it along with the other piece that you are going to glue together. Mix the two parts of the Epoxy 330 together on a piece of white paper (so you can see how well they are mixing together). DO NOT WHIP THEM TOGETHER! IT WILL INTRODUCE BUBBLES! Mix them with a toothpick by gently swirling them together. Mix for about two minutes and slide the paper under the light to heat it. Leave it there for about a minute until it becomes a runny mixture and until the bubbles rise to the top. Pick up the rather hot pieces by the edge (Do not get finger oils on the surface to be glued) and apply the adhesive to the surface by gently spreading the adhesive onto the piece. Wipe the toothpick across the surface to remove most of the adhesive. Again do not introduce any bubbles. Pick up a piece in each hand and place the bottom edge together. Close the pieces together like closing a clam. This will force the excess adhesive and any bubbles to the edge as you close them. Press the pieces together between your finger and thumb rather firmly while sliding them slightly against each other. When you feel a slight dragging stop and place them on the piece of white paper near the remainder of the adhesive. Slide it under the lamp and leave it to cure. If you positively, absolutely must scratch the burning itch to check how well the adhesive is curing, test the pile of excess adhesive, do not disturb the glued together pieces. Leave overnight for the full curing to occur. Cab as usual and enjoy the wonderful results!
I will post some more pictures of some other assembled stones that I have done.
Sorry for rambling on so much.
Bob
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Post by Tony W on Nov 30, 2007 1:14:35 GMT -5
Stunning work! Great photo's, super tutorial. It has to be 10's across the board!! T
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fossilbrain
spending too much on rocks
Cookie Monster agate
Member since October 2007
Posts: 360
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Post by fossilbrain on Nov 30, 2007 3:42:11 GMT -5
I'll certainly be waiting for your posts!
You have another fan!
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Nov 30, 2007 11:43:42 GMT -5
Wonderful instructions! Now I just have to get the guts to try something like this! This is like 'advanced cabbing techniques' - but the results are just stunning!
PLEASE ramble all you want!
~Dee
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Post by Tonyterner on Nov 30, 2007 14:48:09 GMT -5
Bob those instructions are great. No rambling at all. If I ever get the hang of this cabbing thing I'd like to try this.
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Post by beefjello on Dec 1, 2007 19:22:56 GMT -5
Oh man Bob, that is just fantastic!!  You got me wanting to try that technique now, big time. Very, very nice! |
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