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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 11, 2020 17:19:53 GMT -5
Beautiful cab jason. You're well in your way! A side note about superglue (also the only thing I've ever used) - I use 3/8 aluminum rod for my dop sticks. Then when done with the cab clamp the stick in a vise and use a torch to heat the stick. The glue softens from the heat quick and no more blow out on the back 👍 EricD Thank you so much!  Genius idea with the rod! I had heard and was planning on using the nail method, but I like the rod idea better. Great method for removal as well! (Plus I love having a reason to fire up the torch! LOL) Beautiful cab jason. You're well in your way! A side note about superglue (also the only thing I've ever used) - I use 3/8 aluminum rod for my dop sticks. Then when done with the cab clamp the stick in a vise and use a torch to heat the stick. The glue softens from the heat quick and no more blow out on the back 👍 EricD I'm going to steal that method  Thanks!
If you appropriate it or emulate it, it sounds better! LOL (I'm gonna steal it though! ) Another thought: when I dop,I use a flathead metal nail and Locktite gel. Lay the nail on a firebrick with the cab hanging over the edge. Put a soft cloth under the cab, so it won’t roll or break when it falls off the dop/nail. Heat the nail with a torch (mini butane), slowly. That melts the gel, and the cab will slowly slide off. Takes just a minute or two. Good luck! Thanks Pat. Great method on the removal as well! I wonder if the 3/8 rod is a little thicker than the nail...I would think it might be easier on the hands/fingers for the "dop" to be thicker... |
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Post by knave on Nov 11, 2020 19:57:16 GMT -5
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 11, 2020 20:07:34 GMT -5
LOL - Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!!! |
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Nov 12, 2020 11:55:43 GMT -5
That is a pretty stone and its really cool that it came from your yard! Great job fashioning it from the tools you had on hand.
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 12, 2020 12:36:51 GMT -5
That is a pretty stone and its really cool that it came from your yard! Great job fashioning it from the tools you had on hand. Thank you Bill, I really appreciate that! The diamond paste I ordered came in last night, so tonight or tomorrow I'm going to be working this stone a bit more to see if I can get a good polish on it. I'll post pictures afterward. |
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Nov 12, 2020 12:46:46 GMT -5
I look forward to it. I think that it would be a neat entry in the monthly cab contest!
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 12, 2020 12:52:59 GMT -5
I look forward to it. I think that it would be a neat entry in the monthly cab contest! Thanks! It would be a neat one...but it doesn't fit the material criteria for this month. I did pick up a slab of moss agate I'm going to use to enter into the contest. I actually just made this on a whim - more just trying to practice before attacking more expensive material. LOL It was mere luck that it turned out to kind of a pretty material underneath the drab exterior (in my opinion). |
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Nov 12, 2020 12:57:59 GMT -5
Well for your 2nd stone (only!), it turned out great. It has a really good dome too. Finding it in your yard, and fashioning it with the tools at your disposal are both bonus points too! I haven't read the criteria for the 'cab-o-the-month contest, but I imagine they are pretty serious.
I hope you can find more cool rocks on your property. That would be awesome to just have a collection of them some day.
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 12, 2020 19:28:55 GMT -5
Well, thanks to the suggestion from hummingbirdstones , I purchased some diamond paste. I got seven syringes with 1000/1500/2000/3000/4000/8000/10,000 grits. I put some silicone spray on the buffer pads (a different pad for each grit) before applying the paste to the pads and the polish came out amazing (I think)! Watch out November Cab Contest...here I come!   |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Nov 12, 2020 19:31:46 GMT -5
Beauteous!
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 12, 2020 19:49:27 GMT -5
Thank you! I owe you a huge debt of gratitude! I was really happy with the shaping of my first cab, but I was so disappointed with the polish I had on it. I wasn't sure if I was going to be forced to tumble each cab - which I didn't want to do. So, by using the diamond paste, I'm so happy with being able to do the complete cab with the dremel. Thank you thank you thank you! |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Nov 12, 2020 21:01:45 GMT -5
Thank you! I owe you a huge debt of gratitude! I was really happy with the shaping of my first cab, but I was so disappointed with the polish I had on it. I wasn't sure if I was going to be forced to tumble each cab - which I didn't want to do. So, by using the diamond paste, I'm so happy with being able to do the complete cab with the dremel. Thank you thank you thank you! You are most welcome! That is how I polished my opal carving. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/86412/carved-opal-input-needed |
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 12, 2020 21:09:41 GMT -5
Thank you! I owe you a huge debt of gratitude! I was really happy with the shaping of my first cab, but I was so disappointed with the polish I had on it. I wasn't sure if I was going to be forced to tumble each cab - which I didn't want to do. So, by using the diamond paste, I'm so happy with being able to do the complete cab with the dremel. Thank you thank you thank you! You are most welcome! That is how I polished my opal carving. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/86412/carved-opal-input-neededHoly smokes Robin that opal is gorgeous! |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Nov 12, 2020 21:13:08 GMT -5
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catskillrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,270
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Post by catskillrocks on Nov 13, 2020 10:28:53 GMT -5
I think that naming it the "Ugly Duckling" is
appropriate! The colors are great as well as
the shape of the cab. It is hard to imagine
that this is only your second cab, and that
you are only using a dremel. You really made
a beautiful cab.
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 13, 2020 10:38:44 GMT -5
I think that naming it the "Ugly Duckling" is appropriate! The colors are great as well as the shape of the cab. It is hard to imagine that this is only your second cab, and that you are only using a dremel. You really made a beautiful cab. Thank you so much Don. I really appreciate that. Down the line, I'm pondering building a cab machine...but it really is a challenge doing it the way I am...and I kinda like challenges. I keep pondering how to "better" the way I'm going it now (e.g. using a dop) without "compromising" the challenge. LOL My biggest obstacle at the moment is how to maintain a bit of heat in an unheated garage through the SD winter! LOL miket and I have been talking about my setup and I'm hoping a few well placed space heaters and a halogen work light will provide enough heat to keep at it. Fingers crossed (as long as I can still feel them! LOL). |
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Chris Sikk
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2021
Posts: 73
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Post by Chris Sikk on Sept 9, 2021 19:46:17 GMT -5
So this is a bit of an old thread, but I just wanted to add my 2 cents. It looks amazing. That is the fun of this hobby for me, finding something and being curious to see what it could turn into.
As far as setup, I purchased a vice for my Dremel, not the stone. I actually had a flex shaft for another project and put it in the vice. I position it above a tray of water. Wearing gloves, I dip the stone in the water and grind into shape with some diamond bits. They aren't expensive burs and I am new to all of this, so I haven't paid attention to the hardness of the rock or type--the stones speak to me and I say, "if that's what you want to be." Thus, the burs and diamond wheels last 3-5 rocks.
I tried the gluing sandpaper to wooden dowels method for polishing, but I didn't like it for complex shapes. Also, the cylindrical shape can really turn a smooth surface into a concave dip if not careful. So, I purchased a kit that I think was for polishing headlights with a Dremel. You know older vehicles, 10-20yrs old, have hazy headlights and you can use a buffer to get them clear again. The buff kit came with 2 shafts & velcro holders for the buffing sponges. I bought velcro sandpaper from 6-20,000 (I think) that is the same size as the holder from the buffer kit. One of the buffing sponges has a second velcro to add paper to-- this gives the paper some give so that I can do different shapes.
Anyway, I had some so-so success. I just couldn't seem to get a good polish at the end. However, my lack of stone knowledge and ignoring hardness could play into that. At the moment, I have shaped some stones with the Dremel into worry stones. Now, I have dropped them into a tumbler to see if the tumbler can do a better polish. After spending 2 days on the forum, I realize that I will have to do better with hardness testing to work on getting better polishes.
I recently ordered a couple of large ball burs. I am waiting for their arrival. Carving out the finger/thumb bit seemingly goes well. However, there are lots of small scratches. I have a sneaking suspicion that the tumbler won't really fix those. So, I am hoping the large bur can even the rock out in a few passes versus me doing multiple passes with smaller bits. Unfortunately, these things do not have a Dremel sized shaft. ( frown ) I will have to use my drill. Meh. Battery powered drill can grind just find, but the batteries do not last long. Haha. Perhaps since I am only touching up instead of grinding it will go easier.
I hope you find a good setup because this is really great work, Jason.
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Post by jasoninsd on Sept 9, 2021 20:04:18 GMT -5
So this is a bit of an old thread, but I just wanted to add my 2 cents. It looks amazing. That is the fun of this hobby for me, finding something and being curious to see what it could turn into.
As far as setup, I purchased a vice for my Dremel, not the stone. I actually had a flex shaft for another project and put it in the vice. I position it above a tray of water. Wearing gloves, I dip the stone in the water and grind into shape with some diamond bits. They aren't expensive burs and I am new to all of this, so I haven't paid attention to the hardness of the rock or type--the stones speak to me and I say, "if that's what you want to be." Thus, the burs and diamond wheels last 3-5 rocks.
I tried the gluing sandpaper to wooden dowels method for polishing, but I didn't like it for complex shapes. Also, the cylindrical shape can really turn a smooth surface into a concave dip if not careful. So, I purchased a kit that I think was for polishing headlights with a Dremel. You know older vehicles, 10-20yrs old, have hazy headlights and you can use a buffer to get them clear again. The buff kit came with 2 shafts & velcro holders for the buffing sponges. I bought velcro sandpaper from 6-20,000 (I think) that is the same size as the holder from the buffer kit. One of the buffing sponges has a second velcro to add paper to-- this gives the paper some give so that I can do different shapes.
Anyway, I had some so-so success. I just couldn't seem to get a good polish at the end. However, my lack of stone knowledge and ignoring hardness could play into that. At the moment, I have shaped some stones with the Dremel into worry stones. Now, I have dropped them into a tumbler to see if the tumbler can do a better polish. After spending 2 days on the forum, I realize that I will have to do better with hardness testing to work on getting better polishes.
I recently ordered a couple of large ball burs. I am waiting for their arrival. Carving out the finger/thumb bit seemingly goes well. However, there are lots of small scratches. I have a sneaking suspicion that the tumbler won't really fix those. So, I am hoping the large bur can even the rock out in a few passes versus me doing multiple passes with smaller bits. Unfortunately, these things do not have a Dremel sized shaft.  I will have to use my drill. Meh. Battery powered drill can grind just find, but the batteries do not last long. Haha. Perhaps since I am only touching up instead of grinding it will go easier.
I hope you find a good setup because this is really great work, Jason.
Thanks Chris! I actually did find a better setup...I bought a slant cabber shortly after this thread - about 3 weeks later if I remember correctly. I'm glad I did. I loved trying to get the results I did with the Dremel, but knew I wanted to have something closer to a cabbing machine, so I went with the slant cabber (it's a flat lap set on an angle). I tried to stabilize the Dremel and work the stone that way, but I quickly went back to holding both the stone and the Dremel in two hands. I liked using the sanding disks and then gluing replacement sandpaper on them once they wore out. They wear out quickly, so being able to replace them inexpensively was the key. I'd recommend getting some kind of magnifying lens (or headset). That will enable you to see whether you get the scratches out before you go to the next grit when sanding. Otherwise, the polish won't come out... I think you COULD get a good polish on the pieces in the tumbler...however, with the concave part of the worry stone, I think you're going to want a LOT of smalls in the mix...that way they can get into that area. If you don't have a lot of smalls, nothing will get into that concave area to move the grit around. (At least that's what makes sense to me.) |
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I will have to use my drill. Meh. Battery powered drill can grind just find, but the batteries do not last long. Haha. Perhaps since I am only touching up instead of grinding it will go easier. 
