bgast1
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2010
Posts: 1,076
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Post by bgast1 on Nov 18, 2010 13:58:06 GMT -5
Does anyone here put a dome on the back of a cabochon when they polish it, or just leave it flat and polished?
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 18, 2010 14:02:17 GMT -5
Mine are flat. I wouldn't polish them unless the back will show (a wire wrap or open mounting).
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bgast1
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2010
Posts: 1,076
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Post by bgast1 on Nov 18, 2010 14:07:03 GMT -5
I'm thinking that I will be wire wrapping most of my cabs in the future. I am also working on one now that has a pit I didn't notice before I started and hope that the back will be better material if I can't sand the pit out.
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Nov 18, 2010 21:08:13 GMT -5
If I'm making earrings out of it, I dome both sides, but 90% or so end up flat. I also don't worry about a finish polish on all the backs if they are going to be mounted on something.
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Post by bobby1 on Nov 18, 2010 23:49:07 GMT -5
Unless I plan the cab as a double cab I don't do any doming on the back. I always polish the back. It just looks more finished that way and there are no limitations as to how it could be set. Bob
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Post by fishenman on Nov 19, 2010 11:12:16 GMT -5
I finish all my backs flat and polished. I sell and I just do it that way so I don't have to ask if they want the back done or not. If I make stuff just for me, I might not fully polish a bezel set cab.
Geoff
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bgast1
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2010
Posts: 1,076
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Post by bgast1 on Nov 19, 2010 13:12:30 GMT -5
Thanks everyone. I've found that putting a dome on is easier than a flat as far as polishing goes but wondered if there was anything wrong with putting a dome on the back also.
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 19, 2010 21:39:09 GMT -5
Rules? We don't need no stinkin' rules. There are not many wrong ways, Bob. It is art. Doming both sides would be great for wire wrap pendants. Especially something like an agate where no two sides are the same.
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darrad
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,636
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Post by darrad on Nov 20, 2010 10:39:24 GMT -5
The backs of mine are flat and finished to 3000 but Johns right. Anyway you think yours should be done is the way they should be.
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bgast1
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2010
Posts: 1,076
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Post by bgast1 on Nov 20, 2010 14:46:58 GMT -5
Thanks for all the replies guys. Hopefully I have run out of all the stinking stupid questions. ;D I just happened to have an very old lapidary reference book that I refer to. I think I will throw half of the information in it out the window. ;D
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Post by jakesrocks on Nov 20, 2010 14:56:12 GMT -5
Thanks for all the replies guys. Hopefully I have run out of all the stinking stupid questions. ;D I just happened to have an very old lapidary reference book that I refer to. I think I will throw half of the information in it out the window. ;D Man, don't throw that info out. That stuff is an antique. Great for showing folks where this hobby started out at, and where it is now. Don
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guitarc
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2010
Posts: 77
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Post by guitarc on Nov 20, 2010 15:39:55 GMT -5
I spent my last Beginning Cabochon class this past Thursday evening finishing the back of one of my cabs since the back is visible in the setting I then put it in. This was my first completed cab and first time working on the back. The instructor says many don't do it but she likes to finish all the backs of her cabs that will be visible. I just used 14,000, 50,000 and 100,000 grit belts on the expanding drum to polish & I think it turned out nice.
Chris
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guitarc
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2010
Posts: 77
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Post by guitarc on Nov 20, 2010 15:48:42 GMT -5
I forgot to mention the cab I made the other night has a flat back. I have see a few double domed that our instructor has done. They are neat looking!
Chris
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bgast1
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2010
Posts: 1,076
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Post by bgast1 on Nov 20, 2010 17:14:21 GMT -5
Thanks for all the replies guys. Hopefully I have run out of all the stinking stupid questions. ;D I just happened to have an very old lapidary reference book that I refer to. I think I will throw half of the information in it out the window. ;D Man, don't throw that info out. That stuff is an antique. Great for showing folks where this hobby started out at, and where it is now. Don ;D ;D ;D No way was I going throw that book out. It's in good shape and there still is a ton of useful information in it. I've been told that it is the of all lapidary books to get. If I was going for an antique though I probably would look for the first edition. My copy is in great condition it cost $11.75 new I think this edition 1962. I think the first edition was copyright 1955. In fact of all my books this one is still the most informative overall. It is just dated. Like many of us.
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