unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Apr 9, 2011 10:01:29 GMT -5
Hi everyone, Now that I have made my choices on tumblers (model B and UV10) I have another question. As I would like to do more than just tumble I was thinking I would like to make things with the finished stomes. Do you think it would be to difficult for a newbie to make pendants? I hear a lot about cabing. What is cabing and is that something a newbie can do. When people buy slabs is ift for cabing or is it for tumbling?
I think I need to sign into the Betty Ford Clinic. I can see how I am becoming addicted to this stuff. I want to do it all.
Seriously as much as I would like to get involved with everything (it all seems like so much fun) I know that you have to start small.
In addition to tumbling what else could I also do with the tumbled stones when they are finished. I would like to maybe make pendants,key chains cuff links and such.
If you all can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance for all of your good information.
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Post by rockrookie on Apr 9, 2011 10:59:26 GMT -5
hi Stu !! the route that i went was . to buy a cheap tipe saw at home depot for less than $100.00 you can cut up small rocks for tumbling . under 3inch rocks . it is perfect for cuting slabs in to smaller peices . this is when you can start on Cabs .
cabs is shorts for the word Cabochon. which is basically a shaped stone for a pendant .
i started out by copying Bikerrandy . he makes triangle shaped pendants . i like triangles that are longer than they are wide . they are easy to cut and there is very little slab waste . they don't have to be the same . once you start . you figure your own favorite shapes & style .
these are then easy to tumble . since they are already smooth edged and usually fairly pit-free . so they don't take as long in coarse grit . usually 2-3 weeks . i also got info from Randy about a company called Eloxite (spelling ?) he recommended bell caps . a cheap but good chain . Cobra chain . snap rings . and epoxy glue . and is was set to make my 1st necklaces . i'm still learning .
please feel free to ask Questions .
even by PMs ( personal messages ) most of us are more than eager to help out .
nearly , all that ive learned . came from RTH members . i'm sure alot of us can say the same .
enjoy , and have fun !! --paul
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Apr 9, 2011 12:39:31 GMT -5
Start small but start smart. If you plan to make jewelry, learn a little about what jewelry is worn today.
Random Example: You mention cuff links. If you're working with inexpensive stones and metals, don't make cuff links. Inexpensive men's wear no longer uses them.
However let me also say this: DON'T be too quick to start making jewelry. There is nothing wrong with polishing up nice specimens and "worry" stones. Don't be in a rush to make something out of your stones.
I would not put a bell cap on any stone I liked. I would not use a cheap chain. There is no market for "cheap" where I live. Anyway, everybody's already got a chain. Don't go into the business of supplying chains. Because of metal prices, there are too many security hassles with selling gold and silver chains, and base metal chains are just...well...it's a waste of your time and money, because people don't wear them.
If you're excited and want to start making pendants, key chains, purse charms, etc. right away, I would say try wire-wrapping instead of bell caps. Let people supply their own chains, or sell leather thongs.
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Post by 150FromFundy on Apr 9, 2011 13:11:22 GMT -5
As rockrookie said, get a tile saw next so you can cut small slabs for tumbling. You may wany to get some standard templates, or you may simply want to cut free form shapes.
You can try gluing bell caps on pendants for a while if you are aiming at the affordable market. However, you will be lucky to get more than a few dollars for a glued pendant.
If you want to turn it up a notch, you can drill you pendants. You will need a Dremel and a Dremel Workstation (drill press), or some other drill press setup. A drilled pendant should fetch a few more dollars than a glued pendant.
The next notch would be wire wrapping. I can`t say much because I am not there yet. Start with copper. Switch to silver when you have mastered the technique. There are many 'How To' posts on this.
Cabbing is an expensive proposition. A flat lap style grinder with disks, pads, and all the accesories will run you about $1,000. An arbor and wheel style grinder, pads and all the accesories will run you about $2,000. You may get lucky and source some used equipment and save a bundle. There are always RTH members upgrading their equipment and selling off thier old.
Darryl.
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Apr 10, 2011 8:54:00 GMT -5
Betty Ford clinic refuses to treat our addiction, they say it's to expensive, irreversible and there are too many of us!!!! ;D Since tumbling take a profuse amount of time compared to cabbing, most get anxious and want to do more, which is a good sign! You can get into cabbing fairly cheap (well, cheaper than a used car) with either a Model T www.therockshed.com/equipment4.html or a cabmate www.gravescompany.com/cabmate.htm for wheeled units and for flat laps like inlandlapidary.com/singleproduct.asp?search=Flat+Lap+Machines&partnum=10680&category1=&category2=&source=1 or www.cabbingmachines.com/flat_lap_machines.shtml are just a couple...Now if your handy... check out our Homemade area!!! forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=hmequip&action=display&thread=30179 , forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=hmequip&action=display&thread=35111 , forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=hmequip&action=display&thread=28754 , forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=hmequip&action=display&thread=28773 , You can move up to larger wheeled units as you feel fit. You can use either SiC (silicon carbide) wheels and belts or diamond (guess which is cheaper ). Start by getting the stones finished and ask for opinions on how others would like the stones mounted (careful as this is an easy way to loose the stones ;D0. Cabs are divided into calibrated sizes or free form styles and flat, low/medium and high dome. There are some special styles but most take alot of practice to get them right and are not for newbies as they are very frustrating to get matching lines and angles. So hurry up and get started!!!!! Dr Joe .
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charles kuchar
spending too much on rocks
getting ready for the second coming
Member since November 2010
Posts: 300
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Post by charles kuchar on Apr 10, 2011 9:08:18 GMT -5
i tumble my stones that look nice and then i am working into wirewrapping them and hanging them for mobiles. mostly outdoor mobiles that can hang on a deck or glow in the sun. charlie
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Apr 10, 2011 12:15:17 GMT -5
Hi Stu, Try getting a saw/grinder if funds are available I have a rock raskel and its great opens the door to a lot of things to make
Pendants and shapes Kites triangle squares anything with a straight cut, like Paul says above Bike randy has a lot of experiance on real simple things to make from straight cuts and there is a pinned shape design above
Jack Yorkshire uk
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Post by Bikerrandy on Apr 10, 2011 18:46:23 GMT -5
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charles kuchar
spending too much on rocks
getting ready for the second coming
Member since November 2010
Posts: 300
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Post by charles kuchar on Apr 10, 2011 19:48:28 GMT -5
jack, that is a good idea for me. i can triangle the slabs now that i can cut with my say. now i have to figure out how to drill the holes through the top of the triangle. that will save me the frustration with trying to wire wrap.. charlie
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Apr 11, 2011 5:17:57 GMT -5
Hi charlie
A better Idea is to get get some Bell caps and araldite them to the tops like Bikerandy does ( above letter)
See his two links above the second one will blow you away amazing
Jack Yorkshire uk
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Apr 11, 2011 6:06:05 GMT -5
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charles kuchar
spending too much on rocks
getting ready for the second coming
Member since November 2010
Posts: 300
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Post by charles kuchar on Apr 11, 2011 6:11:40 GMT -5
excellent posts by randy. thanks jack to suggest those links. that pile of triangles was awesome. charlie
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