|
Post by sitnwrap on Jun 21, 2010 12:40:16 GMT -5
This is a Moab that I recently cabbed. I love the polish and shine it took on, but smack in the middle are scratches and a teeny tiny flat spot. They are right where the lightbulb is: There are no pits. My question is, is there a way to just regrind that area without mis shaping the dome or do I have to regrind the whole cab. And, I'm having a hard time deciding what grit to bring it back down to I was thinking 600. Should I bring it all the way down to 400? My belts on expando are 400, 600, 1200 and 3000. Then I polish with TO. Any help would be appreciated as I have a few cabs with this same issue. Thanks Lori
|
|
Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
|
Post by Sabre52 on Jun 21, 2010 13:11:13 GMT -5
Lori: Were it me, I'd be going back to the 280 wheel on the Genie so the 400 should be OK on our rig. If you rock and rotate the stone at the same time as you work your way back down towards your bezel line from the apex of the dome, it should not appreciably change the contours. I'm far from an expert cabber but that's the way I'd tackle the problem....Mel
|
|
|
Post by bobby1 on Jun 21, 2010 13:14:28 GMT -5
Lori, I often run into a similar problem when I'm polishing where I find scratches and/or pits. I just go back to the 400 grit and take a few rocking swipes on a dry belt. Then I proceed with the polishing step. Bob
|
|
rons
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2010
Posts: 450
|
Post by rons on Jun 21, 2010 13:18:06 GMT -5
When I find one of those w/flat spot I usually go back to 220 on the expando and work my way back to polish..if its a softer material I'll go back to 325-400...I normally will end grind on 220 and start the belts on the same. everybody does things a little different
|
|
|
Post by sitnwrap on Jun 21, 2010 14:12:48 GMT -5
Thanks guys for all your input. I considered staying blind to that one little area for a nano second but once I see something like that on an otherwise pretty shine, that is all I see.
I appreciate the help.
Lori
|
|
|
Post by phil on Jun 21, 2010 15:12:56 GMT -5
Fill the holes with super glue then repolish.
|
|
|
Post by Tony W on Jun 21, 2010 15:53:50 GMT -5
Lori, you can use the edge of the soft wheels to work the middle which sometimes is hard to get right. I do that with my expando and belts, but it works on Nova type wheels too, if you are careful to work light. Tony
|
|
|
Post by sitnwrap on Jun 21, 2010 21:34:00 GMT -5
Guys, BiG Thank you. I reworked the cab using all suggestions except going back to the 220 wheel. I have a 220 hard diamond so I started w/ the 400 belt on my expando. I did the rocking and rotating and the couple of dry swipes and used the edge. A member once said that a perfect dome will reflect a light without distortions. I think I got it. The pics aren't great but I think you can see the difference. One tiny spot just below the light could probably use another go round but I'm really happy. Thanks again. Lori
|
|
|
Post by tkrueger3 on Jun 21, 2010 22:58:12 GMT -5
Hey Lori - I figure, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! That is one sweet cab you've made. Love the glassy shine.
Tom
|
|
|
Post by fishenman on Jun 21, 2010 23:03:51 GMT -5
That is a great cabochon.
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Jun 21, 2010 23:09:09 GMT -5
Fantastic work (and rework) Lori, it's stunning!
Nate
|
|
|
Post by sitnwrap on Jun 21, 2010 23:22:42 GMT -5
Thanks lots for the compliments.
|
|
|
Post by Woodyrock on Jun 22, 2010 1:04:47 GMT -5
Lori: Do you dry your cabs well between grits? I use an old hair dryer to make sure the cab is dry since the slightest bit of moisture will fill the scratches fooling you into going on the next grit. It seems that every time I do not use the hair dryer, I end up going back to remove scratches.
BTW, your Moab is beautiful.
Woody
|
|
|
Post by phil on Jun 23, 2010 22:38:23 GMT -5
Looooking good!
|
|
|
Post by sitnwrap on Jun 24, 2010 19:44:59 GMT -5
Woody, I do dry them but with paper towel. I since found that holding it to the vent of the cab motor dries them really good like a hair dryer.
|
|
|
Post by Bejewelme on Jun 25, 2010 8:40:12 GMT -5
Lori! Looking good, you are a natural, cabber and wrapper!
|
|
pporky
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2007
Posts: 1,932
|
Post by pporky on Jun 25, 2010 16:35:13 GMT -5
Very nice cab and plenty of advice from all in fixing a common problem for me also, thanks ppork
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Jun 25, 2010 16:52:42 GMT -5
Blowers? Dryers?? I thought we were supposed to rub the stone on our shoulder!
|
|
|
Post by frane on Jun 26, 2010 6:50:44 GMT -5
Lori, you brought that cab to the perfection you knew it deserved! It has that perfect look of the plumes pressing against the agate dome. Great job!!! Fran
|
|