shorty
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2003
Posts: 392
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Post by shorty on Jul 20, 2004 21:52:45 GMT -5
hi all i would like some advice on slabbing. what is the best way to cut a slab what do you look for on the stuf your gone cut . any help would be app. shorty
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on Jul 20, 2004 22:43:26 GMT -5
I'm probably not the person to ask about what to look for but here goes my 2 cents!
I don't really look for anything in particular. I just sort through my 5 gal bucket of rocks, decide which one I want to cut, slap it on the saw and cut it. Real technical, huh? If there is alot of color, I do try to cut it in a way that shows off the color the best.
llana
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Post by docone31 on Jul 20, 2004 23:36:31 GMT -5
Shorty That is a good question. What is the cut for? That is the most important question. When I cut to facet, I look for the most with least waste. When I cut to cab, usually the specimin is not clear-ish and I just have to make a flat plane. A lot of time I can cut off a nodule, or corner and cab this. To make cuts for shape, you must first establish a flat plane. That will be the bottom cut. From that, the stone will be stable and more cuts can be made. If just slabbing, mostly cut off the crud and get a decent slab. I usually square off slab material and go to town. The dross I save for later cuts. If I see something I do different cuts. There you go, have fun and see new things.
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shorty
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2003
Posts: 392
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Post by shorty on Jul 21, 2004 9:49:43 GMT -5
thanks all that helps alot when i cut i have been doing prety mutch the same way you both do . im doing it rite than thanks shorty
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shorty
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2003
Posts: 392
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Post by shorty on Jul 21, 2004 9:57:23 GMT -5
some times i try to get the best color to show and for shap i use my grinder to shap. i for got to ask do i go against the grain or with or dont it matter alot of my rock breaks up when cutting
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Post by docone31 on Jul 21, 2004 12:51:07 GMT -5
Shorty When you grind, grind down to where the smallest piece of stone is. When I cut a cabachon I cut from the bottom to the top. I get more control and and have less fractures.
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shorty
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2003
Posts: 392
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Post by shorty on Jul 21, 2004 13:14:19 GMT -5
dock my saw goes left to right sideways.. shorty
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Jul 21, 2004 22:15:55 GMT -5
Hello Shorty, I slab a lot of rough and it all depends on what you are looking for or like. I cut Petoskey Stone (fossilized coral) in the traditional manner (across the growth of the coral) - this gives you the traditional face views of the coral. I also cut it with the growth pattern of the coral - it gives you a totally different looking material and most people have never seen any of that type. I'll get a couple of photo's posted in a day or two ... I have been planting trees (currently just over 100 and I'm still not finished ) and my arms are just about to fall off ! We are trying to get a wind break established on our property. Two acres is not a lot of land until you start planting trees every ten feet apart in double rows around the perimiter!!! Petrified wood can have the same effect. Cut across the grain for one pattern and with the grain for a totally different pattern. Unless the growth rings are immediately evident, I tend to cut with the grain of the wood - I think you get a better looking material (but, that is my personal opinion). What kind of saw are you using? Does it have a vise assembly? Is it fed by hand, gravity or automatically feeds itself? Enjoy, John
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shorty
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2003
Posts: 392
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Post by shorty on Jul 22, 2004 14:02:34 GMT -5
hi bear creek it is a self feed tipe it goes left to right and it is a automatic feeder a old one its a lapardy gem maker from sears it has a rope with a puley with waits to pul the vice with stone throu if thant makes sence . it works good it has a 10 inch blade . and it has some grinding weels and some sanding disks. that work basickley the same way. as tha saw blade . shorty
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