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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 16, 2022 8:53:09 GMT -5
I was talking to fellow RTHling, holajonathan , and he brought up something that I have heard more than a few times... that is that he had never seen many cabs (therefore styles of cabs) before he started cabbing. I would like to put together a sticky of the anatomy of a cab and views of a cab from different cabbers of different styles. I would like for you to post cab pictures here of your cab shape face on, side view of the girdle with the height mentioned in the post, the cut on the back (polished or unpolished) and a demonstrative view of the dome. If anyone can manage a side view of the angle of the girdle, that would be good, too.
I need quality pictures of one single cab which exhibits YOUR combination of high domes or low domes, buff top; thick girdle, thin girdle or no girdle, inside curve (both face on and side view) and anything else I have forgotten. As example- I know that Gary opalpyrexia does high domes, little to no girdles- the way a lot of smithers like them- and that Paul fencejumper is the king of the inside curve and that Steven stardiamond does very low domes. Look through this thread to see if your style has already been pictured before you post. I will take the pictures and start a new thread that will be stickied. Hopefully, this will be helpful to our members.
Also---- if anyone can explain the difference between a buff top and a very low dome- please do. 
Thanks in advance and take your time. I don't want your flashiest or best cab, I want one that best demonstrates your style.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 16, 2022 9:31:04 GMT -5
Good idea, rockjunquie ! Buff tops are totally flat - you work the top just like you'd work the back of the cab if you were polishing the back. Very low domes may be 1-2 mm or so thicker in the middle of the cab than the girdle height. ETA - The cab I cut for the live edge contest has a girdle of around 4.5 mm. The dome height in the middle of the cab was 6 mm. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 16, 2022 9:33:20 GMT -5
Good idea, rockjunquie ! Buff tops are totally flat - you work the top just like you'd work the back of the cab if you were polishing the back. Very low domes may be 1-2 mm or so thicker in the middle of the cab than the girdle height. Thanks! I thought that was right, but I've seen people refer to very low domes as buff top. So, buff top would be on a flat lap? |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 16, 2022 9:37:17 GMT -5
Good idea, rockjunquie ! Buff tops are totally flat - you work the top just like you'd work the back of the cab if you were polishing the back. Very low domes may be 1-2 mm or so thicker in the middle of the cab than the girdle height. Thanks! I thought that was right, but I've seen people refer to very low domes as buff top. So, buff top would be on a flat lap? Correct!  Buff tops can be cut on wheels if you've got the technique down. I do mine on a flat lap because I can't even get a back flat on wheels. It's a technique you have to work at to get right on wheels. Vince can do them, but I can never get them quite flat. |
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Post by MsAli on Feb 16, 2022 9:40:09 GMT -5
I'd think everyone would have their own style rather than a certain style of cab. I know when I cab I'm not trying to replicate, I'm doing my own thing and
I can look at certain cabs and know that is a particular persons work.
Kind of like wire wrapping and silver-smithing.
I do have a old book that shows the different types if you'd like some photos from it
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 16, 2022 9:41:12 GMT -5
Thanks! I thought that was right, but I've seen people refer to very low domes as buff top. So, buff top would be on a flat lap? Correct!  Buff tops can be cut on wheels if you've got the technique down. I do mine on a flat lap because I can't even get a back flat on wheels. It's a technique you have to work at to get right on wheels. Vince can do them, but I can never get them quite flat. Me, either. I have gotten close, but to me, it's not worth the effort when I can get a very, very low dome. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 16, 2022 9:43:23 GMT -5
I'd think everyone would have their own style rather than a certain style of cab. I know when I cab I'm not trying to replicate, I'm doing my own thing and I can look at certain cabs and know that is a particular persons work. Kind of like wire wrapping and silver-smithing. I have a old book that shows the different types Well, that's why I wanted a few different people to post their cabs. To show there is more than one was to skin a cat. I think there are several categories of styles- as mentioned. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 16, 2022 9:45:07 GMT -5
I'd think everyone would have their own style rather than a certain style of cab. I know when I cab I'm not trying to replicate, I'm doing my own thing and I can look at certain cabs and know that is a particular persons work. Kind of like wire wrapping and silver-smithing. I do have a old book that shows the different types if you'd like some photos from it Just saw your edit.
What I would like from the book is a good visual of the angle of the girdle. Can you post one? That would be cool, thanks! |
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Post by MsAli on Feb 16, 2022 10:02:44 GMT -5
I'd think everyone would have their own style rather than a certain style of cab. I know when I cab I'm not trying to replicate, I'm doing my own thing and I can look at certain cabs and know that is a particular persons work. Kind of like wire wrapping and silver-smithing. I do have a old book that shows the different types if you'd like some photos from it Just saw your edit.
What I would like from the book is a good visual of the angle of the girdle. Can you post one? That would be cool, thanks!  I sure can. I'll dig it out when I get home tonight |
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 16, 2022 11:28:24 GMT -5
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 16, 2022 12:02:35 GMT -5
3D teardrop? I don't know if this meets the working definition of a cabochon, but it's something I did for a contest here. It was formed from a long square rodlike piece of Kambaba stromatolite jasper, used the rod as a handle. for this one I made the point first, then quickly discovered how difficult it was to hang on to while making the round end.    Sweet, but not a cab. Thanks for sharing. Looks difficult. |
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 16, 2022 12:13:52 GMT -5
Also in the "is it a cab or what?" category, this shape I have used for beads we sell at shows, and that I also have a setting style in mind for, if we ever get to setting the metal benches and solder station back up. Suggestions on some kind of descriptive name for it appreciated. I used it the first time for an opal triplet, and it worked well for the quartz cap. If I find it and can figure out how to get a decent pic I'll edit it in later. Turkish stick agate cut as a live botroydal edge. Cut for a copper turtle style setting someday.  Some Thulite, and black/green Wyoming Jade in the drilled focal bead form. These werent finished, there is a thing I do with the hemp to kinda "glue" it to hold its positioning.  Focal bead with a Jade toothpick experimental piece.  |
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 16, 2022 12:19:13 GMT -5
100% made on a flat lap. My first ever intarsia, took me near 6 hours of work. They are much faster now.  |
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 16, 2022 12:25:32 GMT -5
OMG! Beautiful work! I love that you are trying new things. That first one is really nice. These are good examples of what one can do, but they aren't exactly standard cabs. That intarsia is really nice with that cabojohn shape. |
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 16, 2022 12:53:40 GMT -5
Teardrops. My first year of cabbing was mostly this, possibly to represent my general feelings towards some of the results. Rounded top, normally means first attempt broke, this Skykomish Poppy was intentional, as the hematite was too fragile.  More to the point... The palm root, that is.  Groovy, and 2 faced...   |
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 16, 2022 13:03:17 GMT -5
OMG! Beautiful work! I love that you are trying new things. That first one is really nice. These are good examples of what one can do, but they aren't exactly standard cabs. That intarsia is really nice with that cabojohn shape. Not adhering to standards and all over the place like an ADHD toddler is kind of the story of my life. Funny that I spent 40+ years manufacturing and fabricating to rather exacting standards, guess this has been my escape. Sitting on my butt today finishing my recovery from non coufid crud (took the test). I'll go away now. |
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,060 
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 16, 2022 13:12:50 GMT -5
Good idea, rockjunquie ! Buff tops are totally flat - you work the top just like you'd work the back of the cab if you were polishing the back. Very low domes may be 1-2 mm or so thicker in the middle of the cab than the girdle height. " Buff Top" or "Buffed Top" is one of those terms that seem to have two or more meanings. I believe it was originally applied to gems with faceted pavilions and flat or curved cabochon crowns. I thought I had an image or two of such a cut but my files are so messed up I can't find them. I know I have several stones cut that way -- usually the result of a great faceted pavilion and a screwed-up transfer while attempting to facet a stone |
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 16, 2022 13:58:09 GMT -5
OMG! Beautiful work! I love that you are trying new things. That first one is really nice. These are good examples of what one can do, but they aren't exactly standard cabs. That intarsia is really nice with that cabojohn shape. Not adhering to standards and all over the place like an ADHD toddler is kind of the story of my life. Funny that I spent 40+ years manufacturing and fabricating to rather exacting standards, guess this has been my escape. Sitting on my butt today finishing my recovery from non coufid crud (took the test). I'll go away now. LOL! Don't go away!
I hear ya about the ADD thing. I have it. I used to be medicated, but now you have to jump through ridiculous hoops to get medicine, so I do without. Which means I'm all over the place, too. Right now, I am knee deep in some wrapping experiments. Can't stick to one. Pickle takes too long, so I start another project. Works for me. LOL!
We have the crud going around, too. Get well soon!
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 16, 2022 13:58:58 GMT -5
Good idea, rockjunquie ! Buff tops are totally flat - you work the top just like you'd work the back of the cab if you were polishing the back. Very low domes may be 1-2 mm or so thicker in the middle of the cab than the girdle height. " Buff Top" or "Buffed Top" is one of those terms that seem to have two or more meanings. I believe it was originally applied to gems with faceted pavilions and flat or curved cabochon crowns. I thought I had an image or two of such a cut but my files are so messed up I can't find them. I know I have several stones cut that way -- usually the result of a great faceted pavilion and a screwed-up transfer while attempting to facet a stone To make matters worse, I have seen and bought "buff top" cabs that were very, very low dome. |
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 16, 2022 14:22:57 GMT -5
rockjunquie if it is legal where you live, you might consider CBD gummies in the very low % THC flavor. According to my son who worked the weed industry for awhile, zero THC is ineffective for the most part, but the stuff with just a tiny bit of the THC is supposed to be good for focus, as well as pain management. Keeping in mind that AFAIAC it is a personality type that todays society rejects, and not a "diagnosis", along with most of the "autism spectrum".
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