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Post by stoner on Dec 15, 2007 12:18:38 GMT -5
Hey Shannon and all other cabbers who have problems with cutting round cabs, here are a couple of tips to help you get nice round cabs. Use a core drill bit to cut the preform and all you need to do is dome it. Or, you can cut a oversized square, round off the corners on a grinder, then dop the piece and put the dop stick in a drill and with the drill turning, start grinding the piece into a perfect circle. Using this method you can also put a perfect dome on a round cab.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,497
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Post by Sabre52 on Dec 15, 2007 14:51:31 GMT -5
Or, you could use a template, draw a circle on the stone and "follow the lines" when you grind *L*! I guess I'm not getting the problem here. It's always seemed straightforward enough to me. That is why I don't like to cut calibrated cabs though. Following the lines is kinda not as fun as just playing with odd shapes...Mel
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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 Dec 15, 2007 15:22:12 GMT -5
Thank you for the advices and for sharing your knowledges with us.
Adrian
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Post by stardiamond on Dec 15, 2007 15:37:16 GMT -5
I have templates of for all sizes of circles. What I end up is not all that round. Very difficult shape for me to cut, same with thin ovals. The only consolation is that large round cabs aren't that interesting and you can have a machine make round cabs.
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Post by stoner on Dec 15, 2007 15:42:59 GMT -5
I have templates of for all sizes of circles. What I end up is not all that round. Very difficult shape for me to cut, This is exactly my point! |
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Post by stardiamond on Dec 15, 2007 15:51:00 GMT -5
Part of my problem is that I don't use a dop stick. I was taught how to use one and given some good dop wax. I got tired of burning my fingers with wax, having the cab come off the stick and having to stop and reattach. Using a dop stick you can rotate it when cutting the circle. Free hand it is harder to maintain even pressure.
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Post by stoner on Dec 15, 2007 15:56:19 GMT -5
Forget the wax. I cut most of my cabs by hand too, but now that ist's getting cold and my fingers are starting to crack, I'll be using dops again. I use super glue with an accelerator and they never come off the dop while grinding. I also use a solvent to release them when I'm finished with the cab. I can dop the stone and go straight to the grinder, and don't have to worry about burning my fingers.
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Post by bobby1 on Dec 16, 2007 1:48:11 GMT -5
I don't have a problem with burning my fingers when I dop with wax. I've done it so long I don't have any nerve endings in my fingers that are sensitive to heat.
Bob
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Dec 16, 2007 16:53:33 GMT -5
Practice makes perfect but it does take some hand-eye coordination and patience, and a willingness to dry the thing off and sit there looking at it for a while. Amateur lapidary is about getting it perfect, not getting it done fast, to my mind at least. Bang out a half dozen rounds or ovals and you'll see how easy it is. The core drill idea is very clever, though.
SirRoxalot
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Post by texaswoodie on Dec 16, 2007 18:09:47 GMT -5
Thanks for the tip Ed!
Curt
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Post by Tonyterner on Dec 17, 2007 16:13:39 GMT -5
Ed I've been doing the core drill to make larger round cabs to use in my woodturnings. It works out pretty well.
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bouldergal
freely admits to licking rocks
Glacier Meadow
Member since July 2007
Posts: 783
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Post by bouldergal on Dec 17, 2007 23:51:21 GMT -5
I've gotta try your dopping technique Stoner. I'm having no luck with wax and I can't get very good control on the small cabs using my fingers. Thanks for the tips from a pro. I WILL be doing REAL cabs soon!
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Post by midnightrocksi3 on Dec 18, 2007 4:50:04 GMT -5
Well.. I like the odd shapes too myself.. so.. Any news on my cab yet stoner?  ? I can't wait to see whatchya do !! Rox |
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Post by larrywyland3 on Dec 18, 2007 19:25:15 GMT -5
A free form circle is the hardest shape to do. Every once in a while I try to do one; so far I haven't done a nice one. Even drawing a perfect cirlce with a pencil is a challenge. There is no room for error and the eye pics up any imperfection with ease. Thanx for the tips Ed.
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Post by MrP on Dec 18, 2007 21:14:37 GMT -5
Stoner
What do you use for dop sticks, what kind of super glue,accelerator, and release agent?
Thanks.....MrP
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Post by rockds on Dec 19, 2007 11:40:16 GMT -5
I'm with you Mel but I would love to see the drill method
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Post by Tweetiepy on Dec 19, 2007 15:22:27 GMT -5
My only problem with dopping is that you have to start all over if you're polishing up the backs - but the control is better with some sort of stick attachment...
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