thomtap
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 237
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Post by thomtap on Jan 2, 2008 9:40:17 GMT -5
Do any of you make cabs by pre-forming and tumbling? If so, would you please post pictures of them? I'm starting out on a shoe-string, and want to produce some results soon. I have a wet cut tile saw and a bench grinder right now. Would a tumbler be a good next purchase for me? Could I simply cut my slabs to the shape I want them, and tumble them for a decent result to start with? I know I need more equipment, but I just can't wait to get going!!!
Thom Tapp
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jan 2, 2008 16:19:08 GMT -5
Yes, you can, but you need a Vibratory tumbler. I use a Thumblers UV-10 to do pre-shaped pendants, works great! I did mine on a bench grinder and Workforce saw as well.
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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 Jan 2, 2008 16:57:12 GMT -5
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thomtap
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 237
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Post by thomtap on Jan 2, 2008 18:34:36 GMT -5
Wow! Those look great! Thanks for posting them~ and any more you can post!
Thom
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Post by texaswoodie on Jan 2, 2008 18:45:06 GMT -5
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Post by kap on Jan 2, 2008 19:10:35 GMT -5
WOW! What is the last on Curt? Keith
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Post by cpdad on Jan 2, 2008 19:58:56 GMT -5
howdy thom...i rotary tumble my pendants{not really cabs}....but randy is right....if ya want quick results...ya need to go with a vibe unit....especially if you are going to do a lot of peices that are similiar in shape. in the rotary...i have to have a mix of diff shapes and sizes to get them to turn out like they should...if ya decide to go the rotary route...just ask the board about what diff size material should be thrown in the barrel...it can be done for next to nothing...if not nothing. i wish i would have took pics of my last pendants...but i forgot  ...grit recipes vary...but yet obtain nice results as seen above in a rotary i usaully do this....and get nice results. cut on tile saw on bench grinder....preshape on 80 grit silicone carbide wheel. 220 for 8 days. 600 8 days. polish for 10 days. kev. click   |
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Post by texaswoodie on Jan 3, 2008 8:52:19 GMT -5
Keith
The last one is Petrified Snakewood.
Curt
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thomtap
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 237
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Post by thomtap on Jan 3, 2008 9:38:41 GMT -5
Hey Curt - Those are REALLY nice! If I can get results close to that I'm set! I will be getting a tumbler!!!
I hope you will post more photos here as you do them... they are beautiful!
Thanks!
Thom
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Post by larrywyland3 on Jan 4, 2008 7:52:28 GMT -5
The only problem I have seen with the tumbling cab process is the undercutting you get with some materials.
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thomtap
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 237
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Post by thomtap on Jan 4, 2008 8:32:36 GMT -5
By undercutting, do you mean loss of total size during tumbling? Or do you mean some hard spots resist abrasion while softer spots grind faster?
Thom
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Post by Cher on Jan 5, 2008 19:17:58 GMT -5
Some rocks have softer areas of matrix that will tumble away faster than other parts of it. That's how I understand undercutting to be. You only need a vibe if you're really in a hurry. Rotary tumblers work just fine too. This rose quartz teardrop I shaped with a dremel then tumbled.  This one I shaped on my workforce then tumbled.  Here it is finished      These were all tumbled in a rotary tumbler, however I do now take my dremel to do the points of the fish under the fins. You can see on this one how it's kind of rough behind the top fin. |
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thomtap
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 237
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Post by thomtap on Jan 5, 2008 19:55:09 GMT -5
Cher - those are fabulous! I can't wait to get started! Thanks for sharing, and post more when you get them!
Thom Tapp
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...grit recipes vary...but yet obtain nice results as seen above
