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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 11, 2013 16:18:35 GMT -5
Forming/grinding or polishing? I was just wondering. Being newish to this, it occurred to me today that I really love the forming part of cabbing. The first 2 wheels are my favorites. I get bored with polishing.
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Post by Pat on Jan 11, 2013 16:22:16 GMT -5
I like the first two wheels because I can see the stone take on the shape I want.
I like the last two wheels because you can't go wrong in how you do it.
The middle two wheels require a lot of care to be sure to hit every surface. I think they are my least favorite, but necessary for the end result.
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Post by deb193redux on Jan 11, 2013 16:28:53 GMT -5
I agree with both of you. There is more satisfaction at either end then the middle.
I have cut hundreds of preforms compared to the few dozen pieces I have finished over the years. I do pre-grind my preforms to the finished shape, so I am seeing the final composition, if not the final stone.
Along the lines of the original point, I like the composing. After that my slow pace might be equated to something like boredom.
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cabjunky
has rocks in the head
Regency Rose Plume
Member since November 2008
Posts: 683
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Post by cabjunky on Jan 11, 2013 16:38:15 GMT -5
I like the grinding and forming much better than the polishing. Polishing is boring, and so I tend to put it off as long as possible.
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Geoff
spending too much on rocks
Please add 1074 to my post number.
Member since December 2012
Posts: 446
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Post by Geoff on Jan 11, 2013 16:44:07 GMT -5
I like to let my Lot-Os deal with the polishing. 60 grit disc, 120 grit disc, tumbler.
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Post by tandl on Jan 11, 2013 17:05:52 GMT -5
I like imagining in my mind more than doing it . im much more rockhound and rockcutter than cabber . think if i had a better unit would help . i have been thinking about a vib tumbler . my rotary has been down for four months . all it needs is a belt
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Post by gr on Jan 11, 2013 17:12:34 GMT -5
From slabbing orientation in the saw to, the T O on the leather for the shine - I love it all! More to your point Tela, I think it is the preforming and cutting to the girdle line that is the challenge for me. Once it has the shape, and I'm happy with that, the rest is just bringing out the shine. I've spent hours with piles of slabs doing layout for the best possiable from the stone. Good post Tela
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Rockygibraltar
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,404
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Post by Rockygibraltar on Jan 11, 2013 21:55:31 GMT -5
I like the 1rst and last wheels. The 1rst gives me the thrill of stock removal and action. The last gives me a rush of satisfaction and a sense of closure.
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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 Jan 11, 2013 23:39:20 GMT -5
*S* I like the hunting and the slabbing the best. I find the whole cabbing process tedious even with diamond wheels. As far as the cabbing goes though, I prefer the first two wheels or the polish pad. The sanding has got to be the most boring and often frustrating part of the cabbing process and in my old age, I'm finding I prefer to spend my time on the fun stuff. Nothing is more fun than making a find in the field or cutting open a dull old rock to find something awesome inside.....Mel
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elementary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,077
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Post by elementary on Jan 12, 2013 0:48:28 GMT -5
I haven't done much cabbing as the whole process of dopping and waiting doesn't sit well with my impatience. But I do free form an awful lot and in doing that I prefer the shaping part of the process the most followed by the polishing. The center wheels are tedious as you gotta check for those dang scratches.
But the shaping...working free form I love following the contours of the stone as you try to find the balance between a great pattern and a pleasing curvature. I call it "chasing agate" due to the need to turn the stone in your attempt to free its inner beauty. The polishing is nice in that you can finally put down a stone and say "done!"
Lowell
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rxscram
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2011
Posts: 513
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Post by rxscram on Jan 12, 2013 0:52:43 GMT -5
I would have to say that I love the shaping part. The polishing is just the "icing on the cake."
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hubrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2011
Posts: 1,563
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Post by hubrocks on Jan 12, 2013 2:14:55 GMT -5
I kinda like all the wheels, I hate the part when I get all done and find more scratches and pits, and have to go back and re-do. I don't like slabbing much, messy oily. I do prefer my smaller saws that I can use water with. ;D just my worth........Hub
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jason12x12
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 798
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Post by jason12x12 on Jan 12, 2013 5:51:04 GMT -5
i use a flat lap and i find as i move towards polish thats when things can go wrong. plus i use a wet to dry on 600 sc dsc to get a good prepolish the build up of rock dust creates a finer and finer grit but its a delicate balance with the heat created...call me crazy but it seems like alchemy.with our grits and potions and heat to make jewels ..
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Jan 12, 2013 6:38:20 GMT -5
For me it varies. When everything has gone as it should, I find polishing fast and pleasant. When I find missed scratches while polishing, then I hate polishing. But then when I have to go back and re-sand then I hate sanding! It can be a vicious circle!
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Post by Tony W on Jan 12, 2013 13:22:34 GMT -5
For some reason I hate changing wheels, so I bing cab. I'll rough out blanks until I can't stand it any more, then I'll change the wheels and bing on the next step. I may do hundreds, over time, on the same wheels. Trouble comes when I have piles and piles of cabs in various stages of completion and I can't remember which is which, when it comes to the middle and end stages, lol. I'd be better off to run one cab all the way up the ladder...but then I'd have to change wheels, lol. I've been threatening to get another arbor, to solve this dilemma, but so far the money keeps going to rocks Just in the last week I got fed up with polishing and put on the 40 and 80 hard wheels, so now I'm happy roughing out blanks, but can still polish on the other two wheels, and the end pad. I've been working opal rough though, and when I hit a magnificent one, I want so bad to get to the middle Nova type wheels, but then I'd have to take off either the hard wheels, or the polishing wheels...life is so full of trials and tribulations, lol. T
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jan 12, 2013 13:54:57 GMT -5
Polishing is the most boring part of cabbing. I can already see what they will look like when they're shiny, because they're wet! lol ....... Honestly, my favorite part is the very first step, slabbing the rock! That's when we get the surprises
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Post by mohs on Jan 12, 2013 18:30:03 GMT -5
Forming/grinding or polishing?
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 13, 2013 11:51:33 GMT -5
Great answers!! Thanks a lot for sharing. Except for you Ed, LOL!!!!
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Post by gr on Jan 13, 2013 12:20:27 GMT -5
Ah, but Tela, ya gotta whistle whilst ya work ;D
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Post by mohs on Jan 13, 2013 14:28:55 GMT -5
Tela : I wrote a little ditty-dop inspired by you in my whistle rock thread not sure you saw it but it goes something like this whistle whilst you cab the rock was flat and now it fab whistle whilst you cab
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