ash
spending too much on rocks
Prairieville, Louisiana
Member since July 2012
Posts: 361
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Post by ash on Aug 6, 2013 23:59:07 GMT -5
I have a quick question. Is there any benefit to doming a stone and polishing it rather than simply polishing it flat on both sides? This is assuming that it has been cut as a blank, round oval square triangle shape of a spider monkey swinging through the trees or whatever. I have heard that it is hard to polish a flat stone on a round wheel? I have a flat disk that I will be using, the 4" velcro dudes, but haven't set them up yet. This may be a stupid question. If so, I apologize. I was just curious as to the reason, other than personal preference of course. Thanks in advance, even for the snide answers  Ash |
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Post by vegasjames on Aug 7, 2013 0:06:02 GMT -5
I have polished flat faces on round wheels so it can be done.
From what I can see it is more personal preference. I am new to cabbing but have done domed, flat surface, flat surface with beveled edge and flat oval with a beveled edge. Why do the same thing all the time?
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Post by deb193redux on Aug 7, 2013 7:08:06 GMT -5
and there are low domes vs high, as well as chamfored edges .... it should look right. design trumps tradition. if it looks wrong once set/strung, then it makes a difference.
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Roger
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,487
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Post by Roger on Aug 7, 2013 7:23:32 GMT -5
.... it should look right. design trumps tradition. deb nailed it..so typical! |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2013 8:29:47 GMT -5
When using the flat velcro backed pads you can do a flat pretty easy BUT you really have to watch for scratches in the center. Working the center of the stone on the edge of the pad is the only way to get those scratches out. I think you will like working with the pads once you get used to them.
Jim
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Post by Pat on Aug 7, 2013 9:51:33 GMT -5
Glad you asked. I'm still fairly new to cabbing and don't like being strapped into doing it only one way. Design first, as long as it can be set somehow.
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Post by NatureNut on Aug 7, 2013 10:10:25 GMT -5
I agree with what everyone has said about design coming first. Just want to add that the only time when a dome must be used is with a stone that has a visual aspect like a schiller or a chatoyancy (feldspar), a dome will maximize the effect.
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Post by mohs on Aug 7, 2013 12:19:16 GMT -5
Hi Jo  where are the smilies? when I first started grinding rocks I really wondered about this. I think in the old school of lapidary polishing a rock flat was problematic. They didn’t have the high tech abrasive we now have. So doming a rock was the most efficient way to bring out a smooth polished beauty. Being that wheels were the dominant grinding medium. That as changed considerably with the synthetic diamond laps and all the variations Plus the efficient small lapping machines. good luck Ed |
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ash
spending too much on rocks
Prairieville, Louisiana
Member since July 2012
Posts: 361
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Post by ash on Aug 7, 2013 14:41:02 GMT -5
thanks for the replies. I'm not trying to pigeon hole myself or anything, I just wondered the "why" of it. And...I figured when you have access to experts, why not ask? One of the reasons for the flat polishes is that I have a lot of small petrified wood. I have cut some and it looks very interesting with the edges still in tact...kinda like bark lol. I was also thinking of drilling these, gotta get a press first, and i thought that drilling a flat stone would be much easier than a domed one, but that may not be so...I have not done it yet so am speculating. Again thanks for the wisdom. I am sure I have more mundane and vapid questions still to come? Ash |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2013 18:01:39 GMT -5
ash, this is a terrific thread. It made me smile to read it. Plus we learn from giants! Thanks for the thread.
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bushkraft
having dreams about rocks
Public nuisance Number 1
Member since July 2011
Posts: 65
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Post by bushkraft on Aug 7, 2013 18:52:55 GMT -5
Ash, you don't need a drill press to make holes, I drill cabs every single day and all I use is a small hand held rotary machine and a 1.5mm - 2.5mm diamond core bit, simply mark your hole then start drilling at an acute angle slowly working the tool until it is perpendicular, once upright drill in 3 second bursts in between bursts dip the cab in water so that the hole fills with fluid, its simple and I can drill away at night while watching TV, I get about 6 holes per drill bit before it needs resharpening, this is easily done by running it against another diamond bit for a couple of seconds.
Take care.
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Post by bobby1 on Aug 7, 2013 23:41:10 GMT -5
I dome nearly all of my cabs because it allows you to see the cab without the "flash" of light reflecting off the flat surface. To me it is more professional to dome the cab. Just the way I was taught (54 years ago).
Bob
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ash
spending too much on rocks
Prairieville, Louisiana
Member since July 2012
Posts: 361
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Post by ash on Aug 8, 2013 15:26:52 GMT -5
I get about 6 holes per drill bit before it needs resharpening, this is easily done by running it against another diamond bit for a couple of seconds. Take care. Could you also "resharpen" it by drilling into firebrick? Or does it work better by using another bit? Just so I am understanding, you take another bit, fresh one?, and hold it and start the drill, rotary, and run it up and down against the other bit a couple of quick times? I have to admit that I never would have tried that lol. I have an off-brand rotary so will def try this. You don't hold it underwater though, just dip it after the 3 second bursts? I'm diggin it. I like the idea of doing something like this in the living room...could provide endless hours of entertainment for my youngest kid Also, if you don't mind me asking, what type and brand of bits do you use? Thanks, Ash |
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Post by vegasjames on Aug 8, 2013 18:07:20 GMT -5
I am curious as to what kind of bits you are using as well. Are you using masonry bits or grinding a hole with diamond coated bits? Or do you use different types of bits depending on the hardness of the stone?
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Post by pghram on Aug 8, 2013 20:48:52 GMT -5
I do think a dome, at least slight, changes the way the cab reflects and/or refracts the light.
Rich
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Post by NatureNut on Aug 9, 2013 8:36:51 GMT -5
Ed, no smilies on iPhone ap  |
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Post by Tony W on Aug 9, 2013 21:00:09 GMT -5
Domes look nice in a bezel cup. Not only in angles of view, but in giving a feeling of more mass, heft,and depth. Get a good slab vibe, with lots of lead weights and you can do 50 flats at a time, just need to be sure to bumper them well, if they are cab size.
Hi, Jo!! Where are you ramblin'? T
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Post by NatureNut on Aug 10, 2013 12:52:08 GMT -5
Hanging in the northeast seeing the kids. (Sorry for the hijack)
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 11, 2013 10:06:14 GMT -5
The only way we do flat cabs or earrings is in the tumbler, and they mostly end up being drilled afterwards.
The dome will increase the flash of a highly polished cab and allow the flash to be seen from many angles without hiding the colors and details of the cab.
Lee
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