|
|
Post by Starguy on Jan 31, 2019 11:33:01 GMT -5
I’ve been using this thing to trim most of my cabachon pre-forms. It’s basically a heavy duty glass cutter. I think a regular glass cutter would work as well.  It’s nice because you can cut very close to your preform outline. You can also cut slight curves with it. It works well on any solid agate, jasper, obsidian etc. It works great for preforming slabs to go into the tumbler. It doesn’t work reliably on crazy lace or fibrous slabs like tigereye. It’s very fast too. You can trim an entire preform in the time it would take to make one cut on a trim saw. |
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Jan 31, 2019 11:39:51 GMT -5
Thanks. I've heard of this before and have never tried it. Good to get another opinion on it.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,060 
Member is Online
|
Post by gemfeller on Jan 31, 2019 13:57:40 GMT -5
Those were made in Bliss, Idaho. I remember them from old lapidary magazine ads. Never tried one but maybe I'll try my glass cutter.
|
|
|
|
Post by fernwood on Jan 31, 2019 14:23:40 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. Might consider getting one to supplement my Dremel.
|
|
|
|
Post by MsAli on Jan 31, 2019 15:15:55 GMT -5
Can you post a video of how it works?
|
|
|
|
Post by miket on Jan 31, 2019 15:31:38 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Starguy on Jan 31, 2019 15:55:31 GMT -5
miket That’s exactly what I have. I actually have two of them. They’re very efficient at trimming slabs. MsAli The cutter just scores a line on the slab with a tiny carbide wheel. It essentially makes a weak spot on the slab. I then put it in a smooth jaw vise and push, breaking the slab on the score line. I’ve learned to wear gloves when doing it because sometimes the slabs have sharp edges when they break. Here’s a picture of the carbide wheel. Photo shows one from the side and one from the business end.  Here’s a video on cutting glass. It’s the same idea. I don’t usually tap the slab after scoring, but I will give it a try next time.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,060
Member is Online
|
Post by gemfeller on Jan 31, 2019 16:19:44 GMT -5
Guess I was wrong about the manufacturer unless the cutter I had in mind has been adapted to different markets. A very similar device was sold for lapidary use years ago.
I'd have a bad time using one because I'd need to find a flat and uncluttered spot in my shop to do the scoring. Will somebody please invent a 4th dimensional "cloud" where physical stuff can be stored until needed? If they can do it for data, why not rocks and other stuff? If such a thing existed I'm sure I'd finally locate all the stones I've dropped and have never found because I'm sure they've sneaked off into another dimension.. |
|
|
|
Post by Starguy on Jan 31, 2019 16:26:08 GMT -5
gemfellerYou do need a flat spot big enough for the slab you are working on. I know what you mean about dropping things and having them disappear. Sometimes I think they are gone before they hit the floor.
|
|
|
|
Post by miket on Jan 31, 2019 16:51:03 GMT -5
Sounds like it's just about like cutting glass. Might have to put one of those on my list of things to try. The list is getting very long.  |
|
|
|
Post by Lapidaryrough / Jack Cole on Jan 31, 2019 18:29:10 GMT -5
big JOKE / an waste of time. obsidian will not work.
|
|
|
|
Post by Starguy on Jan 31, 2019 20:01:42 GMT -5
Obsidian works the best. It’s nature’s glass.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Feb 1, 2019 0:14:34 GMT -5
I have one.
Sits on a shelf, I can preform a couple cabs completely with my saw in the time it takes to do a single etch and break with one of those. It would be like cutting plywood with a hand saw when they have table saws available.
|
|
mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
|
Post by mjflinty on Feb 1, 2019 7:57:14 GMT -5
The man who taught me cabbing used one of these and tile pliers instead of a trim saw. That how he had done it for many years and he was very quick and never seemed to mess up.
Michael
|
|
Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,494
|
Post by Sabre52 on Feb 2, 2019 23:00:51 GMT -5
Yeah, I've got one too, along with special breaking pliers. Works well on picture jasper and obsidian, poorly on jasper and agate. Stuff with bands or inclusions don't break well.
|
|
