megalotis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2009
Posts: 226
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Post by megalotis on Apr 24, 2015 13:09:14 GMT -5
I've taken to finishing some of my free-form cabs in the tumbler, primarily because it does such a nice job of polishing the flat backs of the cabs.
Also, I rough-shape some pendants, and then finish those up in the tumbler, as well.
The only difference between the two categories is that the cabs are generally dopped (I use superglue on a wood screw) and finished through the 600 or 1,000 grit wheels, while the second is only roughly shaped on the 60 or 80 grit wheels.
Should I call either of these cabs, or is it better to refer to them as tumbled pendants? Or am I too worried about semantics here?
I just don't want to mislead anyone, or misspeak when describing the finished items. Thanks!
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Apr 24, 2015 13:42:19 GMT -5
I generally dome mine on the 100 and 220 hard wheels then do a quick smoothing on the 280 flex wheel. After that they start in 220 grit in the vibe. when I do all of that they are considered "cabochons". If I just grind the outside shape and do not dop and dome at all I label them "tumbled cabs or tumble pendants" I clearly state the fact that they are flat on front and back with zero dome.
Chuck
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,711
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 24, 2015 14:03:43 GMT -5
I was thinking of doing all my Montana moss agate free forms that way....
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megalotis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2009
Posts: 226
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Post by megalotis on Apr 24, 2015 14:38:54 GMT -5
Thanks, Chuck, that makes sense to me. I was kind of thinking along those lines, but wondered what others thought!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2015 16:48:50 GMT -5
I call it cheating because I do not have a vibe. When I get a vibe I am sure it will be perfectly okay to call them whatever because I am a whiner and always think things should go my way. Jim
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Apr 24, 2015 17:06:28 GMT -5
I call it cheating because I do not have a vibe. When I get a vibe I am sure it will be perfectly okay to call them whatever because I am a whiner and always think things should go my way. Jim I call it working smarter not harder. LOL Chuck
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Post by orrum on Apr 24, 2015 17:27:23 GMT -5
X2 Wampidy. Hey Jim I have a a Loto! Na Na n Na nah!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2015 17:28:54 GMT -5
PHPHPHPHPHPH tongue out and blowing. Jim
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,711
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 24, 2015 18:55:47 GMT -5
Heck if it looks good and gets it done-I say go for it,any way you can...LOL
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Apr 24, 2015 19:03:04 GMT -5
Does this thread belong in the tumbling section or cabbing section? What came first the chicken or the egg? Chuck
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Post by 150FromFundy on Apr 27, 2015 15:40:48 GMT -5
Technically, the term "en cabochon" from the French indicates that the finished surface has a smooth dome. It doesn't specify how you achieve the smooth dome. Whether you finish on wheels, disks, or in a vibe, it is still a cabochon if it has a smooth dome.
When I finish flat preforms in a tumbler (rotary and/or vibe) without grinding/sanding a dome, I usually refer to them as tumbled preforms, rather than cabochons.
The first one is a generally accepted definition. The second one is an opinion only.
Darryl.
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Post by Peruano on Apr 27, 2015 18:33:32 GMT -5
I like the dichotomy of domed cab and flat cab. Its not important how you got there, but rather that if its flat its going to look different and be valued differently. Ideally all cabs are domed unless labeled as flat cabs. I often tumble domed cabs to achieve a better polish or to process stuff faster than having to do all steps on the wheels. My tumbled cabs might be distinquishable from your traditionally produced cabs (wheels), but might not be. So what important . . . the process or the product? I vote for the product. Describe what it looks like and go from there. Semantics? Perhaps. Tom
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herchenx
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Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Jun 18, 2015 16:04:52 GMT -5
Great thread
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FLrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 343
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Post by FLrockhound on Jun 19, 2015 18:50:00 GMT -5
Very intriguing! This is the little info I enjoy to learn before I take on a new project or just for reference.
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