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 Aug 13, 2011 17:24:42 GMT -5
So of you might recall a thread that I started called "Thar she blows". In this thread I showed a slab (a one of a kind slab) depicting a volcano. For those of you who missed it this is the link: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=ccabs&thread=45353&page=1As I mentioned in the thread I was waiting to gain more experience before I attempted cabing the slab. Well today I thought that time had come. I WAS WRONG:( While I was cutting out the scene from the slab with my trim saw the unthinkable happened. Mount Va Stu Vious erupted in my hand. I guess from the vibration of the saw? Anyway she split right down the middle of the volcano. There where no visible fractures in the slab in fact it was quite thick and solid yet the slab split in half. The break was so clean that when I pieced the two parts together I couldn't even see a seam. Is there anyone out there who can advise me as to what might have went wrong, and what I can do in the future to prevent something like this from happening again. I would post a picture of the grim remains but I just can't stand to see it. Stu
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Post by frane on Aug 13, 2011 17:52:19 GMT -5
Often, it is an unhealed fracture that has formed the coloring in the picture that you wish to capture. I have come into that same situation several times and it is really a bummer! Not much you can do about it though. Maybe cut the pieces out and glue them back together and finish the cab. Fran
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pporky
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2007
Posts: 1,932
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Post by pporky on Aug 13, 2011 18:15:36 GMT -5
What a bummer Stu I remember the slab.
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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 Aug 13, 2011 18:31:51 GMT -5
Sorry Uncle Stu
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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 13, 2011 18:35:00 GMT -5
I hate breakage....
Looking at your original photo, I see a line that runs straight through your volcano and through its 'smoke'.
As already stated, the coloration you so like often originates though weaker parts of the stone.
I was wondering, If the fracture wasn't too traumatic to the stone (such that the break was clean and not splintery), you might be able to take parts of the two halves and try to make mirror semi-circle cabs. Do a left side image to butt up against a right side image. You won't get a volcano, but side by side you might get a twisted reflection that looks good displayed.
Just a thought,
Lowell
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 13, 2011 19:02:03 GMT -5
I would glue it back together with 330 and carefully cut the cab, call it a voluntary intarsia.
Lee
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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 Aug 13, 2011 19:06:40 GMT -5
Often, it is an unhealed fracture that has formed the coloring in the picture that you wish to capture. I have come into that same situation several times and it is really a bummer! Not much you can do about it though. Maybe cut the pieces out and glue them back together and finish the cab. Fran I didn't know that that was an otion to glue the pieces back together and than complete the cab. If that can be done I think that it will be OK as the pieces match up really well with barely a seam showing. I have several different epoxies and super glue. I also have some Opticon. Maybe I can perform some plastic surgery, we will see:) Stu P.S. I am again feeling encouaged I will post a picture of the remains both apart and positioned back together. This way you all can see what can or can't be done. Thanks Stu
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