fatrichie
has rocks in the head
Member since July 2004
Posts: 651
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Post by fatrichie on Jul 4, 2005 22:27:27 GMT -5
Here are my first cabs. I used the tutorials found here, as well as others available on the internet. I am pretty hapy with these, I can't wait to do some more, it's great fun.    Happy Independence Day everyone!!!!!!!!!!! Rich |
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Post by Cher on Jul 4, 2005 22:40:42 GMT -5
Wow Rich, very very nice for a first try. That's kind of cool seeing them still on the dop sticks.
Cher
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Jul 4, 2005 22:43:58 GMT -5
Those are really good. Heck, for a first time, they are absolutely amazing! I recognize the rhodonite, but what are the top two?
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Post by stoner on Jul 4, 2005 22:48:45 GMT -5
Looks like you've got the method down pretty good. What type of cabbing machine are you using?
Ed
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fatrichie
has rocks in the head
Member since July 2004
Posts: 651
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Post by fatrichie on Jul 5, 2005 1:50:28 GMT -5
The first two are Carnelian Agate. I love the Carnelian because of the vivid yellows and reds! It is fairley hard stuff, so it takes a bit longer to work, and the inclusions are made worse with heat, but the results of patience are more than worth the extra work.
'La Machine' is one my brother found at the dump. Yep, at the dump... It's a Loretone dual 8X3 wheel polisher. I gave it a new cooling system, and fixed the hood with a couple new bolts and nuts, but other than that, it was a freebie machine. It works like a charm, but I think I'm kind of tough on the belts. I'm using silicon carbide, but I think a good diamond belt or two is in order. Does anyone have experience with this type of polisher?? If so, any help would be be, well....helpful!!
Thanks for the kind words,
Rich
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Post by docone31 on Jul 5, 2005 7:26:55 GMT -5
Rich, You should spread your dop wax a little smoother on the stone. The piece of wax showing will make it easier for the stone to pop off under stress.
The belts come "sharp". For coarsing the shape, the wheels take a beating. I went to a diamond wheel for that reason. The belts themselves need to be broken in. It might be that what you percieve as being rough on the belts actually is breaking them in. You can also flip the belts. I do it, and I believe Sands does it. One side is broken in, and the other side is sharp. The sharp side leaves deep scratches.
Cool on your find. That is indeed recycling.
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Post by krazydiamond on Jul 5, 2005 8:14:20 GMT -5
great work! love the stones. cool deal on "almost" free machine.
KD
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jul 5, 2005 8:27:37 GMT -5
I have the exact same machine!!!!!!!! Yes it is a bit hard on belts (silicon carbide) but I also have to blame myself as I have a heavy hand- You can flip the belts (or move your chosen path) I also found that ALOT of water helps em last longer! I run a pretty solid stream (probably around 2 drips a second!- lets just say for a and hour of grinding I'll use 2 gallons of water or so- I also add borax (about a teaspoon to 2 gallons) I wish my first cabs came out as nice as yours! Also do you have a 3 position pully on yours? I use the smallest pully (fastest) for roughing in and shaping- then switch to the med for finishing and polishing! Santa Fe jewlery supply has the cheapest price on belts-
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Post by creativeminded on Jul 5, 2005 8:29:07 GMT -5
You are doing a great job on those.
Tami
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Post by rockyraccoon on Jul 5, 2005 11:10:26 GMT -5
rich those are super! you have a knack for it.
kim
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ArkieRockhound
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2005
Posts: 870
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Post by ArkieRockhound on Jul 5, 2005 11:56:13 GMT -5
Absolutely great for a first try, or a second, or a third. I think they look great!
Trish
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Post by Tweetiepy on Jul 5, 2005 12:13:05 GMT -5
WOW that's stupendous for any attempt! WOW hard to believe that it's only your first attempt! WOW!
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fatrichie
has rocks in the head
Member since July 2004
Posts: 651
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Post by fatrichie on Jul 5, 2005 22:17:52 GMT -5
Doc and Stefan,
Please explain what you mean by a little smoother. I do have trouble with some stones popping off (and boy watch out when they do!) I also pre-heat the stones to "just uncomfortable" to the touch prior to dippin' the stick.
And boy do I feel like a big stupe, I will turn the belts around as needed, what a great idea. I did not know about the break-in but it makes perfect sense.
About water, do you guys use clean water only, I have a return line set up to reclaim the water and re-use it. I run a pretty heavy spray of water, I could empty a five gallon bucket in less than an hour.
One more quick question, I am an opal freak, an want to work some on the machine. Anone have any free advise???
Thanks again all, for you encouragement and kinds words!!!
Rich
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Post by docone31 on Jul 5, 2005 22:46:21 GMT -5
Rich, smoother means to flair the wax from the dop stick to the stone. Any rough spots, or voids produce s weak stress area at that point. When you dop, take your finger and smoothe the juncture from the dop to the stone.
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WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
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Post by WarrenA on Jul 5, 2005 23:10:51 GMT -5
ATTA BOY Rich great find now get back to work
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fatrichie
has rocks in the head
Member since July 2004
Posts: 651
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Post by fatrichie on Jul 5, 2005 23:17:29 GMT -5
Rich, smoother means to flair the wax from the dop stick to the stone. Any rough spots, or voids produce s weak stress area at that point. When you dop, take your finger and smoothe the juncture from the dop to the stone. Thanks Doc, I'll do just that! |
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jul 6, 2005 8:32:10 GMT -5
I run clean water only! I add a little borax (teaspoon per 2 gallons) I don't reclaim any water but I do have a drain in my pan that allows me to keep about 1/2 an inch in the bottom (for dropping those- damn that got hot real quick- rocks) I have not dopped yet (no wax or sticks) I did use some hobby glue to glue a wodden knob to one freformed cab I got in some cutoffs- worked pretty good but I was only polishing this rock so there was very little heat or stress- I would love to see a picture of your setup!
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