turquoiselover
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2008
Posts: 115
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Post by turquoiselover on Mar 11, 2008 18:43:30 GMT -5
I've been thinking of trying my hand at selling a few slabs of various rocks for cabbing. I don't plan on getting rich, but would like to just be able to fund my tumbling and wrapping hobby.
The thing is, though, I don't cab and don't know much about it - other than looking at the great examples on this board.
So I could use a little advice: Is 1/4 inch thickness (or a little more) preferred? What rock is preferred for cabbing? Is there rock that just won't work for cabbing? Do saw marks matter? Do I have to know what the rock is?
My idea is to sell "lots" with 6-8 different slabs. I have a great time cutting with my workforce, and only need so much rock and would like to make a little cash for more rock and grit...and wire....and more rock...
Thanks,
Turq
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snivlem
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 167
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Post by snivlem on Mar 11, 2008 19:56:04 GMT -5
1/4" to 5/8 inch is preferable-Let me know when you cut some, I'm a willing buyer!
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Post by stardiamond on Mar 11, 2008 20:40:39 GMT -5
3/16-5/16 is normal. Less than minor saw marks create more work for the cabber. Wouldn't the wear and tear on your blade severly cut into your profit? I don't particularly like to slab with my trim saw for that reason. How can you get even slabs using a workforce? I am not that pleased with the trim saw slabs that I make. I buy a lot of slabs and usually avoid mixed lots because I have so much and don't want to but slabs where I have a large inventory . Most people starting out including myself bought a lot of mixed lots to get variety. How you market is based on where you sell.
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Post by deb193redux on Mar 11, 2008 21:01:06 GMT -5
Well, I don't so much care about even slabs. When I grind a stone I generally taper towards the top anyway. It soudl suck if the part I wanted to be the top was the thickest, but I generally look at the rock, decide what I see in it and then orient and cut. I sometimes try to even thickness - but sometimes I try for thicker at what I see as the bottom.
I alost always double dome too - so I use the cheaper MK 225, but I will be grinding on both sides anyway, so why pay for a MK 303 to get mirror smooth slabs.
Time can be more valuable than a few extra hours on a saw blade. I can hand hold a rock on the WE for on my 10" trim saw (when I had it) and make a pretty good slab most of the time in about 1/3 the time it would take me to clamp it and power feed it.
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turquoiselover
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2008
Posts: 115
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Post by turquoiselover on Mar 12, 2008 10:55:32 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice so far - and Snivlem - I'll let you know - I have some (what I think) very cabable pieces that I wouldn't mind turning loose of. But I had other questions besides thickness.
Is there rock that won't cab?
What if I don't know what kind of rock it is? I'm new to this, and I often get rocks from mixed lots or the 50 cent table at the gem show. But I get a rush when I cut it open and the inside is a complete surprise and awesome!
Turq
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Post by stonesthatrock on Mar 13, 2008 1:51:42 GMT -5
most rocks will cab, but some take a shine better then others. I cut mine at 1/4' thick. As for not knowning what some are michailjohn gave me a great idea of selling some as mixed lots for so much like 3 for .. I thought that was a great idea. That way your not trying to fool anyone. Right up front you tell them your not sure. I know at most of the shows i do, they often don't care where its from, they buy it because its pretty. Pm me on what your selling, i might be interested.
ralph and mary ann
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Post by Michael John on Mar 13, 2008 14:00:26 GMT -5
Turq, when selling, you need to appeal to a variety of buyers. Most people with experience already have a bit of a "collection" of various rock species, so when they buy, they generally prefer to get specifics. Noobs are more apt to buy assortments. So, it would probably work best for you to sell mostly groups of the same slabs, and the occasional assorted group. "Your mileage may vary", but I think that's a pretty safe general assumption.
Bear in mind that slabbing is time-consuming, and does put wear and tear on your blade. Time=money, blades cost money, electricity to run the saw costs money, transportation to get rough costs you time and money, and apparently the rocks you're cutting cost you money. If you REALLY intend to turn a profit, you must consider ALL of your costs to determine if you're REALLY making a profit or NOT. Personally, taking all factors into consideration, slabbing is a losing venture for me. However, if you get your rough for free, it's easy to get, it's close to your home, and you have nothing better to do with your time than cut slabs and package orders, it may have the possibility of turning some sort of profit.
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Post by stardiamond on Mar 13, 2008 14:28:29 GMT -5
But I get a rush when I cut it open and the inside is a complete surprise and awesome! Turq Turq, when selling, you need to appeal to a variety of buyers. Most people with experience already have a bit of a "collection" of various rock species, so when they buy, they generally prefer to get specifics. Noobs are more apt to buy assortments. So, it would probably work best for you to sell mostly groups of the same slabs, and the occasional assorted group. "Your mileage may vary", but I think that's a pretty safe general assumption. Bear in mind that slabbing is time-consuming, and does put wear and tear on your blade. Time=money, blades cost money, electricity to run the saw costs money, transportation to get rough costs you time and money, and apparently the rocks you're cutting cost you money. If you REALLY intend to turn a profit, you must consider ALL of your costs to determine if you're REALLY making a profit or NOT. Personally, taking all factors into consideration, slabbing is a losing venture for me. However, if you get your rough for free, it's easy to get, it's close to your home, and you have nothing better to do with your time than cut slabs and package orders, it may have the possibility of turning some sort of profit. There's a convergence to these two posts. When you are slabbing a piece of rough, you may have to cut a couple mediocre slabs before you find the killer slab. You keep the best and sell the rest. You would have to spend the money anyway to get the material and find the good stuff, so basically the surplus slabs have no value to you and the costs of time are money are related to selling. If your interest is to slab only for resale, it's a tough go. The guy on ebay that gets most of my business, offers much more rough and much less slabs in his auctions than he used to. |
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 13, 2008 16:37:47 GMT -5
I only have room for rocks at about 4 shows out of the 25 or more that we do. What sells best for me is something different even if pricey. Charoite, tigereye, jade,etc. I've given up trying to sell $1-$2 slabs. People pick them up and comment on what a great price then put them back down. I give those away or use them for people to play with demo equipment. You might try selling at a tailgate (Stoddard Wells was last weekend, 3 days no fee) if you can find one in your area. I don't see how anybody makes any mony on e-bay other than e-bay.
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Mar 13, 2008 19:26:32 GMT -5
I wouldn't sell slabs unless I cabbed... how do you know if what you're selling is any good?
What I look for in a slab is color, pattern, lack of cracks and voids. Don't slab boring stuff that's full of cracks... it's that simple. Hardness is important, softer stuff can be tough to polish; there's enough diversity just in the quartz family to keep you cutting for a few years, and quartz polishes great and makes a good durable cab. Cut slabs 6mm thick and uniform, not 3mm at one end and 8 at the other, no deep saw marks. I don't mind thinner slabs, friend of mine swears by 'em to keep pendants light.
However, unless you're somewhere where there's a lot of lapidaries, I'd tend to doubt you'd make enough to cover your time and the diamond blades. But I'm no expert.
SirRoxalot
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turquoiselover
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2008
Posts: 115
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Post by turquoiselover on Mar 13, 2008 19:56:28 GMT -5
Now, see, I was kind of thinking along the lines of what Stardiamond said. I'd be buying rough anyway. I cut open a rock, keep one or two slabs (if I even like it) and the rest? If I didn't sell it, I'd probably throw it in the yard.
Remember, I'm not looking to get rich - not even close. Say I put 6-8 slabs of various material together (and newbies are probably going to be my target shoppers-yes) and I get $40/$50. If I sell two of those, and even with Ebay's cut and maybe Paypal's cut I get$70/$80. To me, that's a new blade and a couple of pounds of grit. It's a little money back that I'm shelling out for rocks and supplies anyway. My 17-year old daughter wants in, so she can do all the auction stuff and I'll cut and take pics. I'll also fill my tumblers and tinker with my wire. I'd be very satisfied with selling 3-4 lots a month. Maybe I'll get even more! I can hit up the free sites as well - nothing to lose.
But you're right, Sir....I don't cab. And that's why I came here for advice in the first place. I've seen auctions on ebay with a whole lot LESS info than I can give on a rock.
I'm going down to Oceanside this Sat. to see that guy who's closing out his business and has 10 tons of rough that someone posted about on the "general" section, I think. My fam is up for a drive, and maybe I'll fill up the van with rocks for very little $. I hope so. Anybody looking for anything in particular?
Turq
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turquoiselover
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2008
Posts: 115
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Post by turquoiselover on Mar 13, 2008 20:18:31 GMT -5
Oh - and would my husband rather stay at home and play "DotHack-Quarantine the Final Chapter" on is a$$ all day while me and the kids are out of the house for the day?? You BETCHA. But then I may not adhere to the spending limits that I've agreed to AND it's family fun time, DAMMIT.
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