|
|
Post by stardiamond on May 30, 2022 13:20:38 GMT -5
My goal when making a cab is finding a pattern on a slab and framing it. I generally use a template to find the right shape to frame. I will use a freeform when a have wedge shaped piece of slab or it is the best way to frame the pattern. I don't like to use ovals and circles because I am not particularly good at cutting them and find them boring.
Looking at some sites that sell cabs, freeforms are very popular. About 15% of the cabs I have sold are freeforms. That number is distorted because I usually make freeforms only with an excellent pattern or material and chose the shape when starting with a wedge shape or it is a rescue when the symmetrical preform fractured. Making freeforms is not any more difficult for me to make than symmetrical. Symmetrical involves following the line and freeforms are what is pleasing to the eye.
I am trying to understand the popularity of freeforms.
|
|
|
|
Post by mohs on May 30, 2022 17:26:14 GMT -5
Tried to do free-form symmetrical hearts
w/ varying amount of success
& some heartbreaking disasters
mostly
|
|
|
|
Post by Pat on May 30, 2022 18:23:50 GMT -5
I prefer free forms, though some rocks want to be from templates. Don’t care for ho-hum ovals. Like rounds a lot. Symmetry is generally boring.
|
|
|
|
Post by stardiamond on May 30, 2022 18:38:46 GMT -5
Tried to do free-form symmetrical hearts w/ varying amount of success & some heartbreaking disasters mostly Freeform symmetrical is challenging for me. I mark the bottom with ink and stay outside the lines. When I get inside the lines or something goes wrong; vug or fracture, I have a hard time correcting by eye. My wife is much better doing that. Freeform, I grind util my eyes like the shape. |
|
NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on May 30, 2022 19:25:58 GMT -5
Freeforms don't necessarily need to be symmetrical, but if I'm cutting one that I am trying to get symmetrical, I will try to back light the cab so I can't see the pattern on the cab.
This helps me a lot because the pattern can throw off your eye (for me at least) and make the shape look better than it is
|
|
|
|
Post by vegasjames on May 31, 2022 1:44:56 GMT -5
I rarely use templates anymore.The majority of my cabs are freeform, although I often end up making the shapes like those in templates. What form the piece takes usually starts with grinding away too thin areas and any junky areas. By then I can see a general shape as I start to round the edges. For example, all of these opal cabs were done without a template, except the heart. Hearts are hard enough for me to do with templates.  20211206_135701 by James Sloane, on Flickr  Opal cabs 2 by James Sloane, on Flickr  118882052_3422885837769714_4167399160304763993_o by James Sloane, on Flickr |
|
|
|
Post by stardiamond on May 31, 2022 18:59:22 GMT -5
Choice of material is a big factor. You like to show the attributes of the material, cut it well and put on a great polish. Turquoise, variscite, Pietersite and other chatoyant materials are good examples. I like working with picture jasper so framing is important. fencejumper does a lot of freeforms and is excellent at framing.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on May 31, 2022 19:36:45 GMT -5
A lot of the time if I am looking for symmetry I will shape until I like one side, trace it into a half template with the center line marked on the template and preform, and use it to make sure both sides match.
|
|
