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Post by gatorgradlawyer on Nov 22, 2012 18:28:12 GMT -5
Hello there: I ran across this site while trying to do some research on finding some pads for a dremel that will allow me to cab boulder/matrix opal. I've been messing around with the dremel for the past week or two trying to make something of a bunch of raw boulder opal that I purchased. I have had, at best, mixed results. The problem, among many, is that I can't find finer dremel grit pads (i.e. 600,1200, 3000) and seem to be stuck with 240 as the highest one offered. I would eventually like to purchase a cabbing rig and am considering a cab king 6v or the like, eventually. Anyways, hoping to learn some things here. If anyone knows of any links to manufacturers/retailers who offer dremel pads of higher grit count, etc., I would appreciate it. However, I've come to realize that I"m heading towards getting a 6 wheel cab machine before too long and that will be a great thing. And, if anyone knows of anything that i can use to cab opals that are less expensive than a cab king or what have you, I'm all ears! Thanks and sorry for the LONG introduction. Otherwise, I live in Orlando, have a 7 year old daughter and practice family law. Hope to be of assistance to the group. Thanks!
Bill
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electricface
starting to spend too much on rocks
First fish of the day
Member since August 2012
Posts: 211
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Post by electricface on Nov 22, 2012 20:07:11 GMT -5
Welcome aboard Bill.
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Nov 22, 2012 20:19:42 GMT -5
Welcome from your neighbors in Titusville!!!!
Did you catch the show in Orlando Nov. 9-11??? was a good show for slabs and silent auctions.
Anyways ... welcome to the forum!!
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Post by Jugglerguy on Nov 22, 2012 20:21:31 GMT -5
This is a great place to learn, Bill. I can't answer your question, but someone here can.
Rob
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TByrd
fully equipped rock polisher
Have you performed your random act of kindness?
Member since December 2010
Posts: 1,350
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Post by TByrd on Nov 22, 2012 20:51:43 GMT -5
Hello Bill,
I hope that you find this site helpful. As far as opals are concerned, are you planning on any fire opals? Those are the ones that I have a little knowledge about. For BO, there are a couple of knowledgeable people from Australia on here.
As far as fire opal, I would plan on a flat-lap, I prefer a vertical flat-lap myself.
As far as the dremel, anything over 600 grit changes to Microns and I do not know they rate them. Have you tried Rio Grande for what you need?
Like I said good luck and enjoy.
Tammy
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Post by catmandewe on Nov 22, 2012 21:10:56 GMT -5
Most people that do mostly opals prefer the diamond demons and/or machines built along the same lines.
Welcome!
Tony
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Post by gatorgradlawyer on Nov 22, 2012 21:39:58 GMT -5
Hello again and thanks for the kind greeting: The Dad_Ohs: Yes: I took my daughter to the Rock & Mineral Show and had a great time! That was where I picked up all of the raw boulder opal that I referred to in my previous post. It really goes to show what a relative "value" rock collecting is. For example, I spent $120.00 on something like 2000 grams of boulder opal. And to contrast that, I spent nearly $400 2 weeks ago on 2 days at Disney with my little girl. We had a good time but not $400.00 worth of it. I would have had a great time at the rock show without spending much of anything. I bought her a couple of those grab bags of sand so that she could "pan" them or what have you and she ended up with a nice little starter collection of rocks and minerals for 6 bucks. I wish that the shows would come more frequently.
Tammy: I'm not particularly interested in fire opals which, to be clear, are the yellow and red ones from Mexico without play of color, I think?! Aren't they also referred to as jelly opals?!
A great example of boulder opals is on the website opalsdownunder.com (P.S. I am NOT a shill for the site...they just have beautiful stones and I've purchased 5 or 6 of them. It's through buying boulder opals on ebay and other sources that I've become fascinated with them. And even with my primitive dremel, I can still look at different bits of color before they disintegrate underneath my 240 grit sand pad! Fortunately, I have a lot of material to work with and am enjoying the process of learning more about the process of grinding and polishing (but mostly grinding!)
Also, Tammy, I have no idea what a flat lap or vertical lap is as I've already described the totality of my experience carving opals in these 2 posts! But I have read a good bit about making cabs of boulder opal and it seems that the 6 wheeled cab king style machines are what are primarily used by "the pros."
Tony: what do you mean by opal collectors preferring diamond demons and/or machines built along the same lines? Obviously I'm brand new to the group. Hopefully, I've not offended someone yet!
Happy Thanksgiving and I'll catch everyone online (since I don't know where you live.....yet)
Warmly,
Bill
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Post by catmandewe on Nov 22, 2012 21:57:10 GMT -5
Hey Bill, A Diamond Demon is a water cooled vertical diamond flat lap, kind of what Tammy is talking about except with an adjustable speed control so you can grind fast or slow depending on what you are working on. I have a couple of used ones out in the shed, if I get some time this week I will pull one out and take a picture of it so you can see what it looks like. Diamond Demon is no longer being built but there is a company making a very similar one but I can't remember what the name is. Regular cab machines will do the job also but lack the speed control that the Diamond Demon's have.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.........................Tony
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Post by gatorgradlawyer on Nov 22, 2012 22:48:05 GMT -5
Tony: Shows my ignorance (or paranoia)! I thought that there was an inside joke about diamond/opal lovers. Does the Diamond Demon have different "grits" for lack of a better word? I'm still trying to pick up much of the nomenclature. I'll do some googling to see if I can get a better idea of what a vertical flat lap is. It might be a cab king for all that I know but am not sure. Might be a great situation for both of us if you have a device for sale that can cab boulder opals, etc. Above all, I appreciate the ideas and suggestions!
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Post by jakesrocks on Nov 22, 2012 23:02:15 GMT -5
Welcome aboard Bill. If you get a Kingsley North catalog, they have diamond discs from 1/2" to 1-1/2" diameter in grit sizes from 70 all the way up to 3500. You can order their catalog at www.kingsleynorth.com, or shop their online catalog.
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Post by bobby1 on Nov 22, 2012 23:15:27 GMT -5
I have a home made 8" wheel cabber with an expandable belt sanding wheel that I have used for over 40 years and it works great for everything that I cab from 1/4" diameter opals to cabs of agate up to 6" across. Its just a matter of using a finer grinding wheel and finer grit with a lighter touch for opals. Bob
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RickN
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 85
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Post by RickN on Nov 25, 2012 20:12:18 GMT -5
Welcome to the site. Try to find a local lapidary club to help get you started. Much easier when you can see how and hear why. Good luck and have fun with this hobby.
RickN
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Jaka
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2012
Posts: 127
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Post by Jaka on Nov 25, 2012 20:27:10 GMT -5
Hi Bill, Welcome to the forum! There are plenty of experienced lapidarists on here that I am sure will give you plenty of advice! I cut a bit of opal myself (both boulder and jelly/crystal opal) and I use a Cab King 6V3. My oppinion is that it works fine for opal (aswell as a lot of harder material such as agate or petrified wood)! Just remember that opal is a lot softer than a lot of other material, so I do a lot of the shaping on the softer grit wheels on the cabking. I dont use the 80 grit wheel on opal at all as this will take far too much material off. I use the 220 grit to get the rough shape only. I then move onto the 280 grit wheel to do the majority of the shaping. I wrote a blog entry on cutting cabs earlier this month using the cabking machine, you can view it here: jakagems.blogspot.com.au/ - This might give you a bit of an idea on how the Cab king runs, but remember that looking at photos and looking at something live can be 2 very different things! Good luck with the lapidary! It is a very addictive hobby! Cheers, James
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Post by Pat on Nov 25, 2012 21:07:55 GMT -5
Welcome! This is a great place to learn and to share. I can't answer your questions, but you've already received some information. Good luck in your new, fun endeavor.
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TByrd
fully equipped rock polisher
Have you performed your random act of kindness?
Member since December 2010
Posts: 1,350
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Post by TByrd on Nov 26, 2012 9:17:44 GMT -5
Hey Tony if you are wanting to sell one of those Diamond Demonds that are out in the shed, can you let me know, I am looking for a vertical lap.
Thanks,
Tammy
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Post by christopherl1234 on Nov 28, 2012 2:32:41 GMT -5
Diamond Pacific sells some Nova burrs that will work well in a dremel. The have lots of different grits.
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