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Post by stardiamond on May 11, 2020 17:53:21 GMT -5
You will get some nice cabs.
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Post by knave on May 11, 2020 21:35:08 GMT -5
Looks great, keep us posted as you go!
What is your cabbing setup?
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billdean
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 153 
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Post by billdean on May 11, 2020 22:42:21 GMT -5
So far I have the rock rascal, and a small bench grinder with a flat lap set up on each side. I have been thinking about getting the Ameritool Universal Heavy-Duty Polisher/Grinder Machine - 6 inch but I am going to wait and see how thinks work out with my flat lap grinder set up. I also have a Lot-o and a couple lortone units.
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Post by RocksInNJ on May 12, 2020 0:54:56 GMT -5
Should turn out nice. Best of luck and let us know how you make out.
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Post by pauls on May 12, 2020 2:08:26 GMT -5
For a first cab go for something good and hard like Petrified wood or Agate, that way any mistakes you make happen in slow motion, there's nothing worse than grinding into soft stuff thinking you are going great then drop your guard for a millisecond and you have gone too far. Pick a piece that's free of obvious cracks and soft spots too.
Above all enjoy yourself.
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billdean
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 153
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Post by billdean on May 12, 2020 13:40:31 GMT -5
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Post by opalpyrexia on May 12, 2020 14:25:20 GMT -5
I believe I tried to cut too close to the line with the trim saw. This was after grinding a little on them.
Your preforms don't look to me like your trimming was too close. I cut as close as I can with my trim saw to minimize grinding or shaping on the lap. Occasionally I do cut too close into an outline, but a little minor shaping on the lap usually takes care of the problem.
Your preforms are looking good!
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Post by opalpyrexia on May 12, 2020 14:29:57 GMT -5
So far I have the rock rascal, and a small bench grinder with a flat lap set up on each side. I have been thinking about getting the Ameritool Universal Heavy-Duty Polisher/Grinder Machine - 6 inch but I am going to wait and see how thinks work out with my flat lap grinder set up. I also have a Lot-o and a couple lortone units.
If you decide that your flat lap grinder set up isn't adequate, I would recommend the Ameritool 8" lap over their 6" lap. The extra 2 inches are worth it if you can manage it.
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Post by parfive on May 12, 2020 14:58:12 GMT -5
One suggestion, Bill . . . get an Ultra Fine Point Sharpie.
It won’t make a difference at the trim saw but it will encourage more accurate work when grinding the preform to shape.
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billdean
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 153
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Post by billdean on May 12, 2020 15:11:46 GMT -5
I have a an ultra fine point sharpie coming. I used one I had laying around the house until it shows up. Amazon is a lot slower than it use to be, as is the Post Office. It makes perfect sense though what you are saying about being more accurate.
Thanks Gary…..once I figure out this Dop stick thing I will grind on them some more. I guess for 100 bucks the 8" would be a better choice.
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Post by pauls on May 12, 2020 16:04:50 GMT -5
No Bill, don't put them on a dop stick until you have the outline done, it's much easier to do it freehand without the stick in the way. Then hold the finished shape flat on the desk against your sharpie and mark a girdle line all the way around. I use an Aluminium pencil to mark my stones, grind a piece of Al power cable wire or TIG welding wire into a point and use that, a piece of bronze brazing wire does a good job as well.
Dopping, get your stone nice and warm, just at the point where it's almost too hot to pick up, get a glob of dop wax on your dop stick melt it to good and liquid in the flame and apply it to the hot stone. You can mold it to shape with wet fingers if you need to. If you have trouble with the stone coming off it's usually because the stone has some grease or oil on it or you didn't get it hot enough. When you have finished your cab put it in the freezer for a few minutes and the stone will fall off. If you are really struggling with stones coming off mix together some Shellac and alcohol spirits and paint it on the back of the stone before dopping.
Some stones don't take kindly to being heated, Opal for example, so just take those to warm not hot or use glue.
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