NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Apr 26, 2019 9:17:06 GMT -5
Thanks Pizzano. I came across the same links, but I can't make heads or tails of them, nor could I find any digital images that I was searching for. It is nice that you went the extra mile to locate the source where an original printed copy could be purchased, by anyone who might be interested in that. |
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Apr 27, 2019 11:00:48 GMT -5
Bump. Also, if anyone was interested in those original 1996 publications, I located about half a dozen or more months of the magazines being sold on the Ebay. Just an FYI.
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 28, 2019 9:14:29 GMT -5
Bump. Also, if anyone was interested in those original 1996 publications, I located about half a dozen or more months of the magazines being sold on the Ebay. Just an FYI. Which issue was it? I may be dense, but I was unable to figure out the exact issue. |
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julieooly
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2018
Posts: 721 
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Post by julieooly on Apr 28, 2019 9:19:58 GMT -5
Bump. Also, if anyone was interested in those original 1996 publications, I located about half a dozen or more months of the magazines being sold on the Ebay. Just an FYI. Which issue was it? I may be dense, but I was unable to figure out the exact issue. I couldn't either! |
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 28, 2019 9:23:09 GMT -5
Which issue was it? I may be dense, but I was unable to figure out the exact issue. I couldn't either! OK, now I don't feel so bad.  |
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 28, 2019 11:14:35 GMT -5
Hey everyone- those of you who were discussing polishing the backs of stones-
Yesterday, I cabbed a nice Mt aggie and wanted to do the back. Ugh. That stuff is so hard. Well, I got out my wet dry paper and started with 320 and few squirts of water. Started rubbing it on the flat table. That was plenty water, so it didn't make a mess. I very quickly took it through 1200 that way and was happy with the time and the results. I was actually pretty surprised at how quickly it went. Granted, the back WAS pretty smooth to start with, but not polished. However, Mt aggie being so hard, I was just surprised.
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Apr 29, 2019 11:24:35 GMT -5
Bump. Also, if anyone was interested in those original 1996 publications, I located about half a dozen or more months of the magazines being sold on the Ebay. Just an FYI. Which issue was it? I may be dense, but I was unable to figure out the exact issue. That is the question! Right? I spent hours researching to find the actual Month that this article was posted in. I even carefully looked at all of the 6-7 issues on Ebay to see if it mentioned that article on the cover. But I just cannot figure it out. On top of that, it appears that the original couple from Australia who created the article have both moved on. Good luck to us finding out now. Meh, it's OK. We have a good instruction resource going right here in this forum. If we put our heads together, we can come up with anything. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 29, 2019 11:27:01 GMT -5
Which issue was it? I may be dense, but I was unable to figure out the exact issue. That is the question! Right? I spent hours researching to find the actual Month that this article was posted in. I even carefully looked at all of the 6-7 issues on Ebay to see if it mentioned that article on the cover. But I just cannot figure it out. On top of that, it appears that the original couple from Australia who created the article have both moved on. Good luck to us finding out now. Meh, it's OK. We have a good instruction resource going right here in this forum. If we put our heads together, we can come up with anything. Agreed! We can DOOOO it! |
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Apr 29, 2019 12:05:57 GMT -5
OK, BEGINNER Question here. I would like opinions on what the experienced (didn't use the word PRO), cabochon makers here find are the best templates they most often use. I need to buy some templates and a scribing pencil (aluminum & brass). But we have many choices. I am on Kingsley North, and Graves sites right now. But can't decide. - Single sided Aluminum templates. Seem great, but can't see through them. Also, only 1 side. - Double sided Aluminum templates. Can slip the slab through, between both templates, and can scribe on both sides, making it easier to not mess up the grinding part later - Single sided Plastic templates. Can see through them. Will probably hold up. Cheaper. Many to choose from. I guess I have the Dop part figured out (Kingsley North, thanks manofglass) OK. But there are just so many templates. Some maybe too small, (like the Lortone ones from what I read), some with crazy shapes I won't use for years maybe. Some that look cool, like "Great Shapes" templates. I'm just looking for templates with most common shapes, that will last. Maybe the Gem-Temp? |
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julieooly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2018
Posts: 721
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Post by julieooly on Apr 29, 2019 12:42:52 GMT -5
There's a Etsy Shop named "Cabtopia" that has templates but be careful as some of the shapes are tricky and you'll most likely not use them. I've also bought some from Amazon by Cool Tools US - "Jewelry Shape Template - Fat PODS" is a good search for Amazon then substitute the different shape-names to find more, Teardrops, Teardrops 2, Shields, Fat Shields, Pods and Guitar Picks are the ones I got (they have LOTS of listings on Amazon it took me a while to sort through them all) There's Barnhouse Lapidary, members here and also sell rock material www.barnhouselapidary.com/online-store |
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 29, 2019 13:32:35 GMT -5
There's a Etsy Shop named "Cabtopia" that has templates but be careful as some of the shapes are tricky and you'll most likely not use them. I've also bought some from Amazon by Cool Tools US - "Jewelry Shape Template - Fat PODS" is a good search for Amazon then substitute the different shape-names to find more, Teardrops, Teardrops 2, Shields, Fat Shields, Pods and Guitar Picks are the ones I got (they have LOTS of listings on Amazon it took me a while to sort through them all) There's Barnhouse Lapidary, members here and also sell rock material www.barnhouselapidary.com/online-store Jeff has the whole set on sale. I like cabtopia. They sell on amazon, too. I have made a lot of my own from freeform shapes I have done that I liked, too. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 29, 2019 13:37:42 GMT -5
I probably use this set the most forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/29756/free-templates You can't reach him anymore, though. Someone sent me the full size prints. If I can find them, I'll let you know and you can make your own. I think most of the oldtimers have these. ETA- I can't find my originals. Sorry. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 29, 2019 13:54:37 GMT -5
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,064 
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Post by gemfeller on Apr 29, 2019 14:32:29 GMT -5
Funny thing about me and templates. I seldom use them but day before yesterday I decided to scribe out a few shapes on a slab of nice red dino bone. But after I trim-sawed it I was so intrigued by the possibilities of the sawed shapes I forgot all about the template shapes and cut freeforms with one oval exception.
The only recommendation I'd make for those who like to cut conventional shapes is to use the double-sided kind you can slide a slab into. They help avoid fractures that are easily overlooked on the opposite side of the scribed area. I guess I'm fracture-phobic lately because I've been cutting a lot of so-called Dead Camel Jasper and it's just riddled with tiny hidden fractures that are easily missed. I've thrown more into the "tumble pile" than I've managed to cab.
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Apr 29, 2019 15:47:35 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestions so far! Yikes! The Cabtopia stuff looks first rate. He wants $391.00 for the all templates on sale?!?! You guys are real experts, and I bet some of those templates are nice to have. On the other hand, I guess the free templates would be OK, but I'll pass on those and just buy some online. gemfeller, I appreciate the experienced advice. I'll buy a couple Graves double sided ones also. I need to pull the trigger on something today, or this will fall in to analysis paralysis like everything else I do, and I'll never cut a single cab. If anyone else wants to pitch in with their favorite cabbing templates, that would be great. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 29, 2019 16:00:39 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestions so far! Yikes! The Cabtopia stuff looks first rate. He wants $391.00 for the all templates on sale?!?! You guys are real experts, and I bet some of those templates are nice to have. On the other hand, I guess the free templates would be OK, but I'll pass on those and just buy some online. gemfeller , I appreciate the experienced advice. I'll buy a couple Graves double sided ones also. I need to pull the trigger on something today, or this will fall in to analysis paralysis like everything else I do, and I'll never cut a single cab. If anyone else wants to pitch in with their favorite cabbing templates, that would be great. "analysis paralysis" That is so funny and so true! Never heard that before, but it sure fits me to a tee. With cabtopia, I find that I use just a few on each one. I only have a couple. I was pretty picky. I find that with all my sets, actually. Now a days, I am secretly happy when a preform breaks on cutting so I can freehand it. But, since I have to buy expensive slabs (with no big saw) I really have to lay out my slabs carefully to keep waste down. I also got some small pads of graph paper to play with my own ideas. I can then cut out my sketches with an exacto blade out of a dollar store, clear, flexible cutting board material. I think you'll find that you get real bored, real fast with the basic shapes. If you get some basic ones, though, you can play around with them and combine for other shapes. |
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Apr 29, 2019 16:15:43 GMT -5
I guess these are all really good suggestions.
It it starting to sound like almost nobody with experience uses standard templates really, and the unique custom ones are the way to go.
I think that if I was selling my cabs or making my own custom jewelry then I would probably do best to separate myself from the generic crowd and create my own templates.
As a beginner, I am just going to grab some basic templates, on the cheap and get my feet wet. Got to get started somewhere.
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Post by miket on Apr 29, 2019 16:44:57 GMT -5
Maybe it's because I'm new at trying to cab, but I like to freeform. Besides, any rock I've tried to cab yet seems to have a mind of it's own and seems to decide what shape it wants to be.  |
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Post by stardiamond on Apr 29, 2019 16:49:41 GMT -5
I have a set of templates with a lot of not round and oval shapes. I mark the top and cut with the trim saw. I leave a little room in case I screw up. I redraw the shape on the bottom and cut from there. The top marking is mainly to frame the scene. I also use previously made cabs as templates when I don't have the shape on a regular template. I hold the template cab on the slab to be marked with a loop of masking tape.
I also carefully inspect the bottom for fractures, chips and other problems before marking the face.
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julieooly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2018
Posts: 721
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Post by julieooly on Apr 29, 2019 16:59:06 GMT -5
Oh I forgot, I have one with circles and one with ovals from Hobby Lobby. If I were just starting out I'd get the ones from Cool Tools on Amazon. I paid a lot for the ones I got from Cabtopia and only use a couple from each template. It's true about getting bored but you have to start somewhere. I tried to cut my own and made a huge mess of it using an exacto (sp) and some sheet plastic that was supposed to be for stenciling. I've heard that if you're cutting you own to use a leather cutting tool that has a swivel on it. I'm really handy with cutting & such and was really surprised when I failed miserably at making my own. The little metal ones from Lortone aren't exciting at all and they're small.
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