|
|
Post by greig on Jan 14, 2021 18:10:46 GMT -5
I am wondering how badly I messed up on this slice? On the flat, you can see host rock, silver, calcite (white) and gold (probably pyrite). I had intended to cab it. However, my cut wasn't straight so it is a bit wedge shaped...one side of slice is higher than the other. Oops. Will I still be able to dome it or did I just make a doorstop? By the way, I was thinking this might be a good winter scene for the January cab contest.   |
|
|
|
Post by parfive on Jan 14, 2021 18:20:01 GMT -5
No biggie, Greig. Once you draw your girdle line, you’ll just have more grinding to do on the thicker side.
|
|
|
|
Post by stardiamond on Jan 14, 2021 18:23:37 GMT -5
By my standards that is a perfectly even slab. Draw a shape and a little extra grinding on the high side. I work on pieces from 1/2+ inches to a knife edge. On those, the design needs come from the middle of the slab where it will be more even or if enough room two designs; one thicker than another with a high dome an low dome. The thinner edge needs to be brought in so that there can be a girdle line and a dome.
|
|
|
|
Post by greig on Jan 14, 2021 18:23:55 GMT -5
No biggie, Greig. Once you draw your girdle line, you’ll just have more grinding to do on the thicker side. Thanks. I was hoping that was going to be the answer. |
|
|
|
Post by stephan on Jan 14, 2021 19:14:48 GMT -5
That is totally cabbable. I’ve worked with ones that were truly wedges.
|
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Jan 14, 2021 19:21:39 GMT -5
I have produced many a wedgie over the last couple months slabbing...and then of course there have been the uneven rocks as well!  I discovered quickly what has already been stated...more grinding on the high side. A couple times I've evened out the preform on my slant cabber (flat lap essentially). That way I have a relatively even preform that I can mess up just as easily as I would the uneven ones! LOL |
|
|
|
Post by opalpyrexia on Jan 14, 2021 21:26:08 GMT -5
By the way, I was thinking this might be a good winter scene for the January cab contest.
I think you've got a potential cab contest winner in there somewhere.
|
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Jan 14, 2021 22:44:39 GMT -5
greig - One thing to watch. Make sure you know which is going to be the top and bottom of the cab. When you're grinding down the edge of the preform, keep the bottom of the cab 90° to the edge. I've forgotten to watch for that a couple times and had to fight it later to get the girdle back to a 90° edge... (Technically, I guess there's supposed to be a 12.5° bevel on the edge...so that means the edge should be 87.5°...if you're wanting to get THAT technical. )
|
|
|
|
Post by stephan on Jan 14, 2021 23:26:04 GMT -5
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Jan 15, 2021 8:48:15 GMT -5
greig - One thing to watch. Make sure you know which is going to be the top and bottom of the cab. When you're grinding down the edge of the preform, keep the bottom of the cab 90° to the edge. I've forgotten to watch for that a couple times and had to fight it later to get the girdle back to a 90° edge... (Technically, I guess there's supposed to be a 12.5° bevel on the edge...so that means the edge should be 87.5°...if you're wanting to get THAT technical. ) Not to piss in your wheaties, Jason, but 90 minus 12.5 equals 77.5 😁 That's a beautiful slab greig, cab it up I'm sure it'll be amazing! |
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Jan 15, 2021 10:02:45 GMT -5
greig - One thing to watch. Make sure you know which is going to be the top and bottom of the cab. When you're grinding down the edge of the preform, keep the bottom of the cab 90° to the edge. I've forgotten to watch for that a couple times and had to fight it later to get the girdle back to a 90° edge... (Technically, I guess there's supposed to be a 12.5° bevel on the edge...so that means the edge should be 87.5°...if you're wanting to get THAT technical. ) Not to piss in your wheaties, Jason, but 90 minus 12.5 equals 77.5 😁 That's a beautiful slab greig, cab it up I'm sure it'll be amazing! LOL - and I've always said math was one of my strengths! I'm going to claim it was due to the time of night...it'll make me feel less embarrassed! |
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Jan 15, 2021 10:08:26 GMT -5
I just finished cabbing some truly wedgey slices. The cabs came out just fine. Sometimes you have to be fairly open to changing up your shape according to how thin the thin side is, but other than that- go for it!
|
|
|
|
Post by greig on Jan 15, 2021 10:36:11 GMT -5
greig - One thing to watch. Make sure you know which is going to be the top and bottom of the cab. When you're grinding down the edge of the preform, keep the bottom of the cab 90° to the edge. I've forgotten to watch for that a couple times and had to fight it later to get the girdle back to a 90° edge... (Technically, I guess there's supposed to be a 12.5° bevel on the edge...so that means the edge should be 87.5°...if you're wanting to get THAT technical. ) I have only done 90° to the edge and then made the dome. I didn't even know about the 12.5° bevel requirement. hmmm |
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Jan 15, 2021 10:47:07 GMT -5
greig - One thing to watch. Make sure you know which is going to be the top and bottom of the cab. When you're grinding down the edge of the preform, keep the bottom of the cab 90° to the edge. I've forgotten to watch for that a couple times and had to fight it later to get the girdle back to a 90° edge... (Technically, I guess there's supposed to be a 12.5° bevel on the edge...so that means the edge should be 87.5°...if you're wanting to get THAT technical. ) I have only done 90° to the edge and then made the dome. I didn't even know about the 12.5° bevel requirement. hmmm After looking at most of my cabs from the side, my edge is anywhere from 63.7 to 102.3! (Not really, but it feels like it!) I don't go for the 12.5 degree angle. Like you, I shoot for a straight 90 degrees as well. I just looked to see if I could find where I saw the 12.5 degree "requirement", but couldn't find it easily. If my recollection abilities are slightly better than my math skills  , I think I remember Pat saying something about it in a thread I read... |
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Jan 15, 2021 10:56:22 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by parfive on Jan 15, 2021 12:49:49 GMT -5
If you measure it more than twice, you’re playing with it.
|
|
|
|
Post by greig on Jan 15, 2021 12:54:27 GMT -5
That looks like a good read. I have bookmarked for later. |
|
NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
|
Post by NevadaBill on Jan 19, 2021 14:20:56 GMT -5
It looks thick enough (to me) to be a complete non-issue. Some of my very first slabs were done by a older gentleman who volunteered his time. I don't think he could see very good. And after each cut he would pull the whole piece out and take another stab at it. In some cases I ended up with slabs that were 1/8 and inch (or less even) on one end. I had no idea what to do with them. And they were like my very first slabs to boot. Of my best rock! I threw it up for discussion here at the RTH. One of our folks suggested that I try to create earrings out of the smallest slivers. So I did.  You will easily find an application for your slab, I think. |
|
|
|
Post by miket on Jan 19, 2021 15:26:19 GMT -5
All of my slabs that I cut on my tile saw seem to be wedges- and then I need to use a dremel to cab them!  As others have said, you just have to grind a little more and be willing to change the shape of the cab if you need to. I'm sure you'll nail it! |
|
|
|
Post by rmf on Jan 19, 2021 16:03:25 GMT -5
The extra thick side is why they make 60 grit wheels
|
|
, I think I remember 
