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Post by mohs on Dec 1, 2020 21:16:59 GMT -5
that good jase dopping is good ! wish I would take the time altho my fingers are still pretty nimble lucky with that I have a heart I'll be posting where some fine scrtches appeared and of course filled with polishing compound the photo doesn't lie dopping would solve some of those issue so dop on looking good those edges r right on I love seeing the hearts you post! I've been trying to think how I can do a heart on this slant cabber. With the inside angle at the top of the heart, the only way I can think to get into that angle would be to remove the splash guard around the wheel so I could access the edge of the disk...and I really don't want to take off that splash guard...not because OSHA would have cardiac failure, but because I don't want to clean up the mess of water! LOL I think I could do the top portion of the heart with my dremel...something to look into for the future...definitely not in the immediate future!  My sister-in-law has some wax and a wax warmer she's going to let me use, but I like the super glue gel. I've been using old pins from door hinges that I had replaced, and I like them. I just got some wooden dop sticks, so I will give the wax and wood a try later this week probably... actually jase if ya build a heart you can do most of the cleavage work of the 2 parts on the slant once it its epoxied together dome as usual you could then do some touch up cleavage work with the dremel easily grind the joint flats on the slant none of it would be easy/ challenge but your good at that stuff got time build a heart |
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EricD
Cave Dweller 
High in the Mountains
Member since November 2019
Posts: 1,142
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Post by EricD on Dec 1, 2020 21:17:52 GMT -5
So it does. And don't put it in a pile, it'll get left there and haunt you in your dreams.
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 1, 2020 21:27:07 GMT -5
I love seeing the hearts you post! I've been trying to think how I can do a heart on this slant cabber. With the inside angle at the top of the heart, the only way I can think to get into that angle would be to remove the splash guard around the wheel so I could access the edge of the disk...and I really don't want to take off that splash guard...not because OSHA would have cardiac failure, but because I don't want to clean up the mess of water! LOL I think I could do the top portion of the heart with my dremel...something to look into for the future...definitely not in the immediate future! My sister-in-law has some wax and a wax warmer she's going to let me use, but I like the super glue gel. I've been using old pins from door hinges that I had replaced, and I like them. I just got some wooden dop sticks, so I will give the wax and wood a try later this week probably... actually jase if ya build a heart you can do most of the cleavage work of the 2 parts on the slant once it its epoxied together dome as usual you could then do some touch up cleavage work with the dremel easily grind the joint flats on the slant none of it would be easy/ challenge but your good at that stuff got time build a heart That's true. I hadn't considered doing the heart like you do...I've been thinking of just doing it as a whole heart. Good suggestion...and thanks for the vote of confidence.  So it does. And don't put it in a pile, it'll get left there and haunt you in your dreams. You're probably right...I want it to be a cab...not a roundtoit! I don't think it wouldn't haunt my dreams...I don't spend enough time sleeping to have dreams about this AND finding Fairburns! LOL |
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Post by stephan on Dec 1, 2020 22:52:08 GMT -5
So it does. And don't put it in a pile, it'll get left there and haunt you in your dreams. I’ll second that. See my weekend post for how long some of those sat in the repair pile. Up to 10 years. |
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 2, 2020 9:21:20 GMT -5
I reworked this piece of Sci-Fi Jasper last night, thanks to the prodding of EricD and stephan so my "rework" pile doesn't get too big! This piece fractured when I worked it the first time. It was already dopped and the girdle was already thin as it was, so I couldn't draw a reference line...thus I had to eyeball again. I can see now it isn't perfect, but it's where this one is going to stay. I didn't see any scratches on the surface of this, but I couldn't get this thing to have a super polished look to it! The polish seems almost "dull". The black dots aren't pitting, it's part of the rock...      |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 2, 2020 9:45:40 GMT -5
Cool stone, Jason. I like speckled rocks. 
Girdle on this one is not that bad. Just that one spot there where it's a bit thicker. Some stones just don't take a high polish. It's just the way it is. If you worked really hard you may be able to get a little more shine on it (trying different polish compounds, different polish disc materials, etc.), but is it worth your time? That is the question.
Sometimes hitting the cab with Zam on a buff will bring up more of a polish. That's actually one you should try. Having Zam around is never a bad thing. Final polish for turquoise and a few other softer stones, plus you can shine up your wife's silver! LOL!
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 2, 2020 9:49:31 GMT -5
Nice save! I'm gonna say something, but don't take it the wrong way- Sometimes (and I'm not saying this one) some stones that need rework just are not worth the trouble. Sometimes you just gotta know when fold. I understand you're new and want the practice- just throwing that out there.
Now, regarding the blue dream you posted, I forgot how new you are and new to the wheels, too. You really did a fabulous job with those corners. I have seen much worse from ppl who have been at it for years. You really don't have much dip, at all. I would leave it if I were you. No one is perfect when they first start.
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Post by stephan on Dec 2, 2020 10:09:27 GMT -5
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Or 10 years later. 😁
I agree. Leave it. Seriously, it’s better than most of mine. But, then again, I set my stuff on glue tabs, so it matters less than it would if I wire wrapped or silver smithed. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still try for the best one, but, generally, unless it’s badly off, or the cab also needs other work (or I plan on listing it for sale as a loose cab), I’ll leave it.
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 2, 2020 10:18:15 GMT -5
Cool stone, Jason. I like speckled rocks.
Girdle on this one is not that bad. Just that one spot there where it's a bit thicker. Some stones just don't take a high polish. It's just the way it is. If you worked really hard you may be able to get a little more shine on it (trying different polish compounds, different polish disc materials, etc.), but is it worth your time? That is the question.
Sometimes hitting the cab with Zam on a buff will bring up more of a polish. That's actually one you should try. Having Zam around is never a bad thing. Final polish for turquoise and a few other softer stones, plus you can shine up your wife's silver! LOL!
Thanks Robin! Wham Bam Thank You Zam! I hadn't looked into that (or remember hearing about it) before. Thanks for the tip on that one. Funny about the silver! My wife actually won't wear any silver, it reacts to her skin for some reason...or so she says...which is why the VAST majority of her jewelry has to be gold...hmmmm! Actually, I love the look and design of the Black Hills Gold jewelry that's out there. It's so funny, when I think of "gold" jewelry, I picture grape leaves and vines - the predominant design for Black Hills Gold jewelry! LOL Nice save! I'm gonna say something, but don't take it the wrong way- Sometimes (and I'm not saying this one) some stones that need rework just are not worth the trouble. Sometimes you just gotta know when fold. I understand you're new and want the practice- just throwing that out there.
Now, regarding the blue dream you posted, I forgot how new you are and new to the wheels, too. You really did a fabulous job with those corners. I have seen much worse from ppl who have been at it for years. You really don't have much dip, at all. I would leave it if I were you. No one is perfect when they first start.
Okay - thanks goodness you posted this! My feelings don't get hurt over advice...half the reason I post pics of my "progress" is to learn - and I don't think someone can learn if they can't take constructive criticism. There were two other cabs I messed up...I mean that had their own problems!...and I wasn't sure I really wanted to try and salvage them! LOL - Although I hate being a quitter, I do understand there's a point at which you need to cut your losses. Because of where this Sci-Fi fractured, it skewed the entire dome...and it's the second one I've tried to salvage by reshaping the entire dome (the other one was the entry for this month's contest). For me, it's really difficult to get the dome back to where it needs to be when it becomes lopsided by the fracture... Thanks for saying that about the Blue Dream. I don't really want to rework this one...in fact, I probably won't (don't tell Eric and Stephan!). But with that being said, how would I go about fixing the dipped corners on a cab? Can the perimeter be brought back by grinding the edges inward past the point of the dip (which means about half a millimeter or less), or does the entire dome have to be reworked then as well? I've been racking my brain on how I would go about fixing this issue if it were to happen in the future... |
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 2, 2020 10:25:28 GMT -5
Thanks stephan ! I really am pretty pleased with this one as I've really only done a handful of cabs in total. I really don't want to mess it up trying to rework it. It will never be for sale, so it's just a personal one to have laying around - and it will always be a reminder on how to better watch for this on future cabs. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 2, 2020 10:38:47 GMT -5
Thanks for saying that about the Blue Dream. I don't really want to rework this one...in fact, I probably won't (don't tell Eric and Stephan!). But with that being said, how would I go about fixing the dipped corners on a cab? Can the perimeter be brought back by grinding the edges inward past the point of the dip (which means about half a millimeter or less), or does the entire dome have to be reworked then as well? I've been racking my brain on how I would go about fixing this issue if it were to happen in the future... Here's the thing: When you're cutting stones as a hobby you don't have to do anything you don't want to do! 
If you ever DO want to fix one, you tweak the bezel, not the dome. Just work the bezel where it needs to be evened out with a finer grit (we're tweaking, remember?) a little at a time until it's even. It will change the shape of the stone just a tad, but oh well. Then you can work down the top on the point if you need to so.
If you were a masochist you could also try to recut the whole stone to the thinner bezel, which of course is a whole lot more work and why you would need to be a masochist.  |
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Post by stephan on Dec 2, 2020 11:55:10 GMT -5
Thanks for saying that about the Blue Dream. I don't really want to rework this one...in fact, I probably won't (don't tell Eric and Stephan!). But with that being said, how would I go about fixing the dipped corners on a cab? Can the perimeter be brought back by grinding the edges inward past the point of the dip (which means about half a millimeter or less), or does the entire dome have to be reworked then as well? I've been racking my brain on how I would go about fixing this issue if it were to happen in the future... Here's the thing: When you're cutting stones as a hobby you don't have to do anything you don't want to do!
If you ever DO want to fix one, you tweak the bezel, not the dome. Just work the bezel where it needs to be evened out with a finer grit (we're tweaking, remember?) a little at a time until it's even. It will change the shape of the stone just a tad, but oh well. Then you can work down the top on the point if you need to so.
If you were a masochist you could also try to recut the whole stone to the thinner bezel, which of course is a whole lot more work and why you would need to be a masochist. OK. Apparently the choices are masochism and wabi-sabi. 😁 |
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Post by stephan on Dec 2, 2020 11:59:43 GMT -5
jasoninsd that is a great free form cab. The speckles are amazing. They really do kick it up a notch. Great work saving. It looks really good... like you meant to make it that shape in the first place. If you had only listened to the rock.
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 2, 2020 14:41:31 GMT -5
jasoninsd, If I were to try to fix it, I would thicken the girdle line most of the way around- at least the corners and then about 7mm more on each side, enough so that the (radical) dip disappears. Then I would feather the high/thick spots back to the middle. Does this make sense? If not, I'll try again.
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Post by 1dave on Dec 2, 2020 14:47:16 GMT -5
After the cabbing and photoing is done, photo Cropping and sharpening helps!  |
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Post by stephan on Dec 2, 2020 15:05:42 GMT -5
jasoninsd, If I were to try to fix it, I would thicken the girdle line most of the way around- at least the corners and then about 7mm more on each side, enough so that the (radical) dip disappears. Then I would feather the high/thick spots back to the middle. Does this make sense? If not, I'll try again. That seems really thick. Most slabs I’ve seen/bought are 5 or 6 mm. At the club, I used to cut 7 or 8mm thick, and was told that I was wasting material. Didn’t care. I still lick them thick, unless we’re talking about translucent material, like Montana, that you want to be able to see through. Even then, thick is sometimes nice. Sturdy. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 2, 2020 15:08:28 GMT -5
jasoninsd , If I were to try to fix it, I would thicken the girdle line most of the way around- at least the corners and then about 7mm more on each side, enough so that the (radical) dip disappears. Then I would feather the high/thick spots back to the middle. Does this make sense? If not, I'll try again. That seems really thick. Most slabs I’ve seen/bought are 5 or 6 mm. At the club, I used to cut 7 or 8mm thick, and was told that I was wasting material. Didn’t care. I still lick them thick, unless we’re talking about translucent material, like Montana, that you want to be able to see through. Even then, thick is sometimes nice. Sturdy. I did say to feather it back from the girdle. I guess I should have been more clear that you should take some of the thicker girdle down with it.
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Post by stephan on Dec 2, 2020 16:03:45 GMT -5
That seems really thick. Most slabs I’ve seen/bought are 5 or 6 mm. At the club, I used to cut 7 or 8mm thick, and was told that I was wasting material. Didn’t care. I still lick them thick, unless we’re talking about translucent material, like Montana, that you want to be able to see through. Even then, thick is sometimes nice. Sturdy. I did say to feather it back from the girdle. I guess I should have been more clear that you should take some of the thicker girdle down with it.
I’m still confused, I guess. You’re not talking about the girdle being 7mm tall? |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 2, 2020 16:17:11 GMT -5
I did say to feather it back from the girdle. I guess I should have been more clear that you should take some of the thicker girdle down with it.
I’m still confused, I guess. You’re not talking about the girdle being 7mm tall? No. If you thicken the girdle at the corners, you can then feather the parts of the girdle back that are too thick. |
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 2, 2020 20:25:58 GMT -5
I've been cutting slabs most of today (so I have more material for more cabs! LOL), and I see I've got a lot of catching up to do in this thread! hummingbirdstones - Very well put about me not having to do anything I don't want with this hobby! LOL - Thanks for the info on changing the bezel...and it doesn't "hurt" me to say I'm not a masochist! (See what I did there! LOL) stephan - I am the personification of wabi-sabi! There is SO much beauty in my imperfections! (At least that's what I keep trying to tell my wife! LOL) Thanks for the compliment on the Sci-FI. I really must need hearing aids as I can't hear these rocks saying a dang thing! Apparently I am NOT the agate whisperer! (I think that's miket anyway! LOL) - Thanks for trying to clarify what Tela was talking about with correcting the dip...and I mean the dip in the cab...not referring to me! LOL 1dave - Who would've known this hobby was going to entail vast knowledge in geography, geology, lapidary arts, and a degree in photography! LOL - Figuring out how to manipulate pictures is on my "to-do" list! rockjunquie - Tela, thanks for explaining the dip correction (see dip definition in the response to Stephan! LOL). I believe I understand what you're describing...and if I do understand, it's what I was thinking was the way to go about it, but couldn't verbalize it appropriately. - I will say, I'm not correcting this cab. I'm leaving this one as it is, but I bet I'll mess one up in the future and needed to know the solution. Again, thank you to all of you guys/gals for the hints, advice, critiques, and pats on the back! They all mean quite a lot to me. |
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