sactorick
having dreams about rocks
gemfield
Member since October 2017
Posts: 67 
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Post by sactorick on Jul 30, 2019 7:13:19 GMT -5
Okay, I read the great tutorials here and thought I'd try my hand at making a groove wrap. I've never wrapped a stone in any way before so it was challenging for me. Especially the bail. I ended up free handing it mostly. I've since got a pair of bail pliers and they help. Anyway, this is my first try at it and I think it's somewhat acceptable. It's a Polka Dot agate I collected in Oregon a couple of months ago. What do you think?  |
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Post by fernwood on Jul 30, 2019 7:16:29 GMT -5
Excellent for your first groove wrap.
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Post by MsAli on Jul 30, 2019 7:47:40 GMT -5
Really great job on that
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 30, 2019 8:07:23 GMT -5
I think you did great!! How did you groove it?
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jul 30, 2019 8:19:23 GMT -5
I think you did real well on your first one!
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sactorick
having dreams about rocks
gemfield
Member since October 2017
Posts: 67
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Post by sactorick on Jul 30, 2019 9:50:40 GMT -5
I think you did great!! How did you groove it? Thanks! I bought one of those Gryphette glass grinders with the jewelry bit. It works well for this. It takes a little practice to judge how deep you want the groove and keeping it even. I'm still experimenting. Too deep and you can't see it. If it it isn't even, it'll show up in the front view. I don't ever expect to put out anything the quality you do, but I think I can make these pretty decent with some more practice. |
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Post by Pat on Jul 30, 2019 10:06:43 GMT -5
Definitely "somewhat acceptable" and then some.
Congratulations on your first!
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Post by miket on Jul 30, 2019 10:36:23 GMT -5
I like it, I think you did very well!
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agatemaggot
Cave Dweller 
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
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Post by agatemaggot on Jul 30, 2019 12:47:20 GMT -5
More than acceptable, nice job ya done there !
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 30, 2019 18:26:35 GMT -5
I think you did great!! How did you groove it? Thanks! I bought one of those Gryphette glass grinders with the jewelry bit. It works well for this. It takes a little practice to judge how deep you want the groove and keeping it even. I'm still experimenting. Too deep and you can't see it. If it it isn't even, it'll show up in the front view. I don't ever expect to put out anything the quality you do, but I think I can make these pretty decent with some more practice. Don't sell yourself short... Practice makes perfect. 
I ws just wondering if you used a dremel or whatnot. I bought an old glastar off ebay for grooving. I didn't know how much I would use it, so used seemed like the right choice. It's holding up well.
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sactorick
having dreams about rocks
gemfield
Member since October 2017
Posts: 67
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Post by sactorick on Aug 2, 2019 13:11:21 GMT -5
So far I have groove wrapped 7 pendants. Here is the last one. It's an amethyst sage agate. The wrap appears uneven in the photo but it's just the angle. It's straight. Anyway, I'm getting more experience. I probably should have started out with copper instead of sterling but I haven't exactly ruined one yet so it's worked out. I need some better pliers I think.  |
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 2, 2019 13:48:28 GMT -5
That came out really good. I like how the bail is a little elongated. I think they look better that way.
What issue are you having with pliers? If they are leaving too many marks, just sand down all the edges real good.
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 2, 2019 17:15:39 GMT -5
To get even depth on mine I cut a piece of hard nylon to fit tightly ofer the top of the jewelry bit to act as a stop so I can only cut that deep. A much more inventive guy in the club came up with a strip of sheet metal that goes under the bit and creates an adjustable stop. I will eventually copy it.
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sactorick
having dreams about rocks
gemfield
Member since October 2017
Posts: 67
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Post by sactorick on Aug 2, 2019 18:40:37 GMT -5
That came out really good. I like how the bail is a little elongated. I think they look better that way.
What issue are you having with pliers? If they are leaving too many marks, just sand down all the edges real good.
Thanks, I'll take it but I didn't elongate it purposely. lol Anyway, I think I need some sharper needlenose pliers. I have a difficult time trying to tuck the end cut in without squashing everything. I also need to have smooth grips instead of the grooves so it doesn't leave marks. I guess I could grind them down on the genie. |
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sactorick
having dreams about rocks
gemfield
Member since October 2017
Posts: 67
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Post by sactorick on Aug 2, 2019 18:42:47 GMT -5
To get even depth on mine I cut a piece of hard nylon to fit tightly ofer the top of the jewelry bit to act as a stop so I can only cut that deep. A much more inventive guy in the club came up with a strip of sheet metal that goes under the bit and creates an adjustable stop. I will eventually copy it. I love that idea! I'm not quite getting exactly how you do that but I'm thinking about it. That would make it so much easier than constantly checking the depth. Thanks. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 2, 2019 18:56:33 GMT -5
I've heard other people just draw a sharpie line on the disc. I guess the trouble is you would have to do it with each one.
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Aug 7, 2019 16:30:57 GMT -5
Cool! I really like the simplicity in design of the groove pendant. I would like to do stuff like that.
I was looking at the Gryphon unit when I first started my wire wrap career (like 3 weeks ago, lol), but decided that it would be something I buy down the line. I should get one though.
Thank you for sharing!
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