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Post by stardiamond on Jul 16, 2019 12:00:53 GMT -5
If working on lesser material isn't of interest, I won't post this subject anymore. I occasionally try to make cabs from scraps. I'll dop these and finish them in the next few days. Left to right Tahoma, Koroit, thin Blue Biggs and Tahoma. The tip of the Biggs is in shadow and I will make minor adjustments to all of them after dopping. The vugs may go away or change.  |
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Post by miket on Jul 16, 2019 12:27:25 GMT -5
Not sure what constitutes lesser material, but these are super cool. I, for one, am interested.  |
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Post by stardiamond on Jul 16, 2019 12:46:41 GMT -5
Ideally, a person starts with an even slab where a scene is found and then the scene is framed. The Biggs was made from a poorly cut, uneven slab. I trimmed and ground it to get it somewhat even and then had to design so that I could make a flat top since I only had 2mm to work with. The first Tahoma was a scrap with knife edges which I ground off and had to come up this a shape to fit was left and decide what I wanted to do with the vug . Similar with the other Tahoma. The only Koroit I had was low grade and only a small section had opal. There are also fractures and soft spots to work around.
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Post by miket on Jul 16, 2019 12:51:03 GMT -5
Ideally, a person starts with an even slab where a scene is found and then the scene is framed. The Biggs was made from a poorly cut, uneven slab. I trimmed and ground it to get it somewhat even and then had to design so that I could make a flat top since I only had 2mm to work with. The first Tahoma was a scrap with knife edges which I ground off and had to come up this a shape to fit was left and decide what I wanted to do with the vug . Similar with the other Tahoma. The only Koroit I had was low grade and only a small section had opal. There are also fractures and soft spots to work around. That makes sense, thanks. Either way, I'd be interested in seeing what you make of them. All of your other work has been spectacular! |
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Jul 16, 2019 22:31:51 GMT -5
I, for one, will be looking forward to seeing what you can "salvage" from your scraps. That's one of my favorite things to do.
It's a great feeling - when it works - to get a nice cab from a scrap, a heel, or a piece that developed problems during cutting. |
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Post by Rockoonz on Jul 16, 2019 22:57:07 GMT -5
I will be watching as well. I really like starting with the "one cab wonder" little slabette preforms, kind of like the rock decided what it wants to look like.
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Post by fernwood on Jul 17, 2019 3:49:26 GMT -5
Please continue to post these adventures.
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Post by stardiamond on Jul 17, 2019 13:16:46 GMT -5
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Post by stardiamond on Jul 17, 2019 13:51:51 GMT -5
A better picture of the Tahoma. The other Tahomo is a Bee cab on a good day.  I made a third attempt on the Bruneau I previously posted. Rotating under light it looked blocky. I's fixed now and technique continues to evolve. I fixed a Morgan Hill that I got lost making. Fortunately I had the template cab that was made by a master cutter, redrew the lines, recut and fixed the nose, tail and girdle. Best thing to do when a cab goes wrong is put it away until a person is ready. My skill has improved and I'm pleased with the result. The cab is 67mm in length.  |
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Post by miket on Jul 17, 2019 14:16:59 GMT -5
I like them all, especially the Koroit!
You did a great job with the Morgan Hill as well...
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Post by stardiamond on Jul 17, 2019 14:23:26 GMT -5
Thanks. My wife doesn't like the shape on the Koroit so I asked her how she wanted me to change it. The left side was as far as I could go. I wanted to get as much of opal as possible. The right side and shape can be changed. It's a freeform with a high girdle and dome so it can be recut.
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Post by miket on Jul 17, 2019 14:33:27 GMT -5
Thanks. My wife doesn't like the shape on the Koroit so I asked her how she wanted me to change it. The left side was as far as I could go. I wanted to get as much of opal as possible. The right side and shape can be changed. It's a freeform with a high girdle and dome so it can be recut. I have a few that I've tried to cab where I wasn't very happy with the shape, either. That being said, the opal in it looks amazing... Don't forget to show us what you end up with, please! |
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Post by stardiamond on Jul 17, 2019 14:49:57 GMT -5
Back when I joined this board, there were posters who were showing drool worthy Koroit. I got a parcel of rough that wasn't very good and since I am a hobbyist I'm going to spend the $ for better material. I have been able to get nice other material at affordable prices. The Koroit has soft spots and fractures and trying to frame any opal that is found makes design a challenge.
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Post by stardiamond on Jul 17, 2019 16:08:12 GMT -5
In the new cabbing topic. rockjunquie mentioned bigger is not always better. I didn't think much of the design choices which had to conform to the scrap shape. I saw this a bee cab. The vug and another vug which turned into a fracture line and cutting the line away makes a much better cab.  |
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Post by miket on Jul 17, 2019 16:33:33 GMT -5
In the new cabbing topic. rockjunquie mentioned bigger is not always better. I didn't think much of the design choices which had to conform to the scrap shape. I saw this a bee cab. The vug and another vug which turned into a fracture line and cutting the line away makes a much better cab. I'm still super new at it, I have a hard time deciding what makes a good cab design and what doesn't. I have many that I'm sure other people could have done a better job with, but for now I'm still learning. Most of what I've made might be considered too big for some- I suppose the ability to "see" the right cab will come with experience... |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 17, 2019 16:58:07 GMT -5
I think they all turned out great- including that drool worthy koroit! Lots of fire in that and a great polish. I don't know about recutting it. I think it looks like what it is- a freeform. But, if you knocked the top down it would save a lot of the fire. The tahoma is really sweet!
You turned a bunch of Bees into As.  |
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