elementary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,077
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Post by elementary on Jul 31, 2011 18:52:58 GMT -5
My friend finally got me off my buttocks and got me cabbing by getting me to sit in front of my machine and on my ... uh ... buttocks. So much for getting outside to exercise. So anyway, I went to a friend's house for a lesson in making these things. I began by staring at a slab of Brazilian for 20 minutes. I slid the template left and right - up and down - and all around - before finding the exact spot I thought would best highlight the stone. This done, I trimmed it up, preformed it, and began working the edges down and doming the top. Today I pulled it out and went to finish it. I liked how it looked: I put the dop stick in the freezer as instructed. Now please notice the lil ol' crack on the lower left hand portion of the stone. I pulled the 'finished' cab out of the freezer and viola! Arrrrrgh! Welcome to cabbing 101! I looked at it in the light for a few minutes hmmmm What if I ... Well, back to the drawing board. I'll grind down the broken edge and make myself a side view of an eyeball! Or whatever. Anyways, thanks for looking... They say you always remember the first time. Well, I've lost my cabberginity and definitely will remember mine... I want to do more! Who's can slab up some stuff for me? Anybody? I gotta do more! Lowell
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Post by Toad on Jul 31, 2011 18:56:57 GMT -5
Was a great looking stone. I'm sure you'll be able to salvage something cool.
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StoneCrazy
spending too much on rocks
Stone Crazy
Member since July 2011
Posts: 331
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Post by StoneCrazy on Jul 31, 2011 19:17:38 GMT -5
Wow what a learning lesson. Thanks for sharing. Hey it still looks great
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RockIt2Me
has rocks in the head
Sometimes I have to tell myself, "It's not worth the jail time."
Member since December 2009
Posts: 668
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Post by RockIt2Me on Jul 31, 2011 19:23:07 GMT -5
Cabberginity....Ha! The dome and finish are great....the break sucks, but just remember this is the first cab of the rest of your life.
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Jul 31, 2011 20:54:30 GMT -5
You always remember your 1st, Lowell. Fantastic job!
Nate
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Post by gr on Jul 31, 2011 20:58:00 GMT -5
double cherry pop Man, that shine , is smooth jazz Lowell. I know you'll save it though! gr
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Jul 31, 2011 21:11:48 GMT -5
Fantastic job on a first cab Lowell, even if you did have it break on ya. Guess your first try should have been Cherry Orchard Agate or Cherry Creek Jasper, if'n you was gonna lose your cabberginity *L*. Oh well, can't wait to see your further attempts as that first one looked perfect till it hit the cold air......Mel
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Post by NatureNut on Jul 31, 2011 22:26:58 GMT -5
Very pretty and precise. Well positioned and shiny. You get an A !!!! Jo
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 1, 2011 0:07:12 GMT -5
Reshape it into a free form teardrop shape, that must be what the rock wanted to be LOL.
Lee
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Post by parfive on Aug 1, 2011 0:17:35 GMT -5
It was lookin’ real nice, Lowell.
It pays to examine slabs very closely before you even mark out a cab, using a magnify glass and/or a loupe. If you mark any pits and fractures with a Sharpie, it can make layout easier.
If there’s any doubt, hold the slab in your open hand and smack it good on the workbench. If it breaks, you saved yourself a lotta time and effort and grief later on.
Rich
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Post by tntmom on Aug 1, 2011 0:21:01 GMT -5
That's gorgeous and very cool that it broke parallel to the banding. Easy fix if you had too, but I think you should keep it as is for memories. It's wonderful and you made it shine like crazy! Wish my first cab looked that good.
~Krystee
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Aug 1, 2011 15:07:40 GMT -5
Great job on your first cab Lowell! Sorry about the fracture and the break. Done that several times. You will be able to save that one fairly easy though and it will be your first free-form! Awesome shine too. steve
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Aug 1, 2011 15:10:29 GMT -5
now where did you put that super glue!
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elementary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,077
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Post by elementary on Aug 1, 2011 16:50:57 GMT -5
Thank you all for your kind replies and advice.
You made me laugh (dammit Mel, I had to explain to Karen what was so funny...and I wound up blushing! You couldn't have given her a better B-day gift...My daughter asked, 'Why is daddy's face pink?'...Ain't no way I was explaining what was going on to a five year old...) and think (damn, what else do I need to do to monitor the quality of my slabs) and scratch my head (should have used Head and Shoulders) and wonder what I should try next (I want to do a 5' diameter monstrosity like Bobby!!!)
You're all great people! It's why I visit you all on line! (That and being on home arrest can make life a little boring sometimes...) JUST KIDDING!
Hope to be back here soon!
Lowell
(Man, I'm in a goofy mood today. AH! Inspiration for a poem...coming soon)
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 1, 2011 16:58:29 GMT -5
Lowell: Way I check slabs before drawing my shape on them is to wet them slightly and then watch them at an angle as they dry. Fractures will usually hold water a bit longer than the rest of the slab and so will show up as you tilt the slab from side to side. Got to admit that on poppy jasper especially the Morgan Hill stuff, I use a technique similar to Rich's. I usually drop it on a flat piece of ground several times and cab up the broken parts.....Mel
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mc2
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2009
Posts: 1,147
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Post by mc2 on Aug 1, 2011 17:44:38 GMT -5
Great job!!! Yea, thats' the way the cab breaks! lol! I too have experienced the ecstasy and the agony of all lapidaries! (fancy talk) I hate when that happens. As mentioned, this would make for a very nice freeform. The stone is beautiful. Nice pattern.
Mike
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Jasper-hound
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2010
Posts: 208
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Post by Jasper-hound on Aug 2, 2011 1:08:51 GMT -5
When this has happened to me, I usually just chuck the stone into the bushes outside my shop. It's a resentment thing ... how dare it refuse to conform to my design!
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Post by christopherl1234 on Aug 2, 2011 1:28:51 GMT -5
And now you know why I use super glue now!! You can save that easily. Like someone else said the stone wanted to be something else.
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Post by Woodyrock on Aug 2, 2011 1:31:20 GMT -5
Lowell: If you have not already reshaped it, just put it in a special place, and keep it as is. You should always keep your first cab. The polish is great....so great, that in the first photograph all I see is reflection, and the shape is good. Change nothing, just put it away.
Woody
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Post by mohs on Aug 2, 2011 11:09:04 GMT -5
That a fine looking cab ! write out your poem and display your stone make for great piece of history Ed
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