denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Nov 21, 2021 15:17:50 GMT -5
Please look at my rock here: www.flickr.com/photos/194440640@N03/?I want to know if it can be cut into a thin slab. If yes, will the opposite side look just like the front? Could it be cut into more than one thin slab? |
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Post by knave on Nov 21, 2021 15:19:34 GMT -5
 i just saw this yesterday in my rock room and thought of your request. So I took a pic. yes that rock can be slabbed as thick or thin as you like. |
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Post by knave on Nov 21, 2021 15:20:01 GMT -5
The bands will change slightly front to back.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Nov 21, 2021 15:32:09 GMT -5
Caveat on slicing that rock - knave is correct, barring any internal fractures in it. |
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Post by victor1941 on Nov 21, 2021 16:07:28 GMT -5
Like Knave said your slice design will be slightly different from the previous cut. Individual slices/pieces can also be mounted to a block and then thin sliced with a very high quality thin blade that runs true. The slab must be parallel to the blade or the thickness dimension width changes. Normally the thin slice is cut when you are breaking a block into slices but I had the same question a few years ago when I needed to slice a high dollar piece of Carey plume that was too thick and had to be multiply sliced. Another member told me to change a high kerf blade to thin blade, mount a block of wood in the vise and then skim the surface to get a parallel cut made by the blade. I then glued the thick slab to this surface using sodium silicate solution. I then allowed for saw kerf and decided how many cuts I could make. The method was successful.
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Post by stardiamond on Nov 21, 2021 16:23:36 GMT -5
I didn't see the original thickness. I would want the original slab to be 1/2"+. If it is a simple split, I would use a trim saw because of the smaller kerf. Even using a slab saw, I have difficulty lining up the piece in the vise. I mark the girdle and then carefully rotate the piece staying on the line until the cut is straight and then push it through. I don't expect a 50/50 and want the thinner slab to be 3/16"+
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Nov 21, 2021 16:37:31 GMT -5
Thank you for the information. I will not be cutting this myself, thaat is way beyond my capabilities. I have to find someone to do it
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 21, 2021 16:48:48 GMT -5
Thank you for the information. I will not be cutting this myself, thaat is way beyond my capabilities. I have to find someone to do it Give it a shot. If I can do it, you can do it. You already got some great help. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Nov 21, 2021 17:44:51 GMT -5
Thank you for the information. I will not be cutting this myself, thaat is way beyond my capabilities. I have to find someone to do it I'm sure there's a rock club near you. You should join, get to know a few folks and then ask them to do it for you. If the club has a workshop, you could even do it yourself with the supervision of the shop manager.
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Nov 23, 2021 18:25:47 GMT -5
Thank you. Today I called the only rock shop in the Denver area (it's actually in Golden, CO) and they said they were 2 months backed up with projects! So I'm supposed to call back in January. I'm going to look at the clubs, but I worry the people there are amateurs and this rock is very important to me.
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Nov 23, 2021 19:06:11 GMT -5
Good luck with your rock.
Funny thing - most of us here are "amateurs". Or maybe "hobbyists".
Very few people - relative to all of us who do lapidary work - are "professionals" in the sense that this is their primary business.
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