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Post by stephan on Feb 24, 2021 1:19:29 GMT -5
I am but a simple tumbler, I know enough to be dangerous. In simplest terms (my understanding), you are using a backing material, behind your desirable stone. I will let the folks with actual knowledge fill in the blanks and tell me if I'm wrong.  That is not what I was thinking at all! It looks like you were spot on!  Two ways it’s usually done, depending on the rock. One way is to back it with something (usually black) to give it contrast, thickness and strength. The second way it to cover it with optical quartz and polish that. Also gives thickness and strength. Can also provide protection for scratch- or fracture-prone stones. I’ve never done this way. I imagine you need a really clear glue, and I’ve often wondered if it really hides the saw marks. I wonder if a specimen-sized doublet would work. Purely a rhetorical fantasy — I do not have that much optical grade quartz, and I can’t imagine it’s cheap. Thanks Stephan! That totally makes sense! I was actually thinking it meant to glue two pieces of the same thin material together from the same slab. It makes sense to use a lesser "grade" material as a backer. That sure would cut back on material required...but more work it would seem. Probably would be a bit of work. With this one, you’d probably need to make a giant doublet, with either the cabbing or specimen option — no way to cut preforms on this without stabilizing somehow. Backing it would make sense economically. A big slab of obsidian or low-grade black jade would be less pricey than the same amount of optical quartz (if it can even be found). Not sure what backing with something dark would do to my new friend, the dog, though. |
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,512
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Post by Brian on Feb 24, 2021 9:06:29 GMT -5
 NRG, I couldn't see anything else once I saw the eye. Lol, still don’t see a dog! Maybe I’m mentally ill Lol, still don’t see a dog! Maybe I’m mentally ill ...or the only sane one! LOL Considering the rest of us might be seeing things, I think Jason is probably right! |
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Post by stephan on Feb 24, 2021 9:58:29 GMT -5
Lol, still don’t see a dog! Maybe I’m mentally ill ...or the only sane one! LOL Considering the rest of use might be seeing things, I think Jason is probably right! No, no... I'm FINE (F'ed-up, Insecure, Neurotic, Emotional)  |
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,688
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Post by NRG on Feb 24, 2021 11:49:43 GMT -5
Lol, still don’t see a dog! Maybe I’m mentally ill ...or the only sane one! LOL Considering the rest of us might be seeing things, I think Jason is probably right! What a rare day indeed. I’m the sane one. 🙈 |
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller 
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,640 
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Post by RWA3006 on Feb 27, 2021 17:29:07 GMT -5
I can't believe you can't see the dinosaur in there!  Two ways it’s usually done, depending on the rock. One way is to back it with something (usually black) to give it contrast, thickness and strength. The second way it to cover it with optical quartz and polish that. Also gives thickness and strength. Can also provide protection for scratch- or fracture-prone stones. I’ve never done this way. I imagine you need a really clear glue, and I’ve often wondered if it really hides the saw marks. I wonder if a specimen-sized doublet would work. Purely a rhetorical fantasy — I do not have that much optical grade quartz, and I can’t imagine it’s cheap. I think bobby1 has done some huge doublet cabs that turned out awesome. Maybe He'll chime in if he's around. |
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