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Post by takecouragedesigns on May 23, 2011 8:36:26 GMT -5
Hi, all; I have heard and read that some folks are using their dremels for making cabochons. Well, I had sincerely hoped by now to have bought a cab grinding set up, but unfortunately, that wish keeps getting shot down by curve balls such as car repairs! So...I have a cordless Dremel, and I'm desperate to start shaping some preforms I have! Is it true that I can really use the Dremel, and if so, what do y'all suggest for the grinding/sanding/polishing part? Thanks mightily! Dianne C
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on May 23, 2011 9:21:46 GMT -5
Yes YOU CAN! Bear in mind that you want to work on stones that are under water or being cooled with a water drip- so a flex shaft is pretty important. THere are a TON of diamond bits, and burrs made to fit a dremel.
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Post by tntmom on May 23, 2011 10:06:30 GMT -5
I use a 1.5" diamond disk with a DIY drip. It's kind of like a messy mini-mini flat lap. The drip is super important though otherwise you'll blow through a disk per stone. Here's a picture of the bit I use and the little drip flow above it. ~Krystee
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Post by rockmanken on May 23, 2011 10:32:12 GMT -5
You can get the diamond bits at Harbor Freight fairly reasonable. Krystee, I would add a thick string to the drip to help disperse the water. Let it touch the disc. Ken
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Post by tntmom on May 23, 2011 11:08:39 GMT -5
GREAT idea Ken!!! I'll try that today, thanks!!
~Krystee
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Post by tanyafrench on May 23, 2011 11:33:03 GMT -5
Krystee and Ken, I am watching this closely. I have everything I just need the courage to try this by hand. I love the pictures you sent me Krystee and I'm ready to go, I just have to also have some decent weather to do it outside. I prefer the mess there. Also has anyone every tried this with Cut Lube. I ordered that as well thinking it might not be as messy? But my next thought is how do you get it off the stones? Just wash them in soapy water or what?
Tanya
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on May 23, 2011 15:53:39 GMT -5
this was my cabber for several years Its a fordom flex shaft, just a step up from the dremel. I did use the dremel with a flex shaft when I first started with this set up but then went to the fordom
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rondave
off to a rocking start
We love our babies!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 12
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Post by rondave on May 23, 2011 15:55:02 GMT -5
I Love my Dremel. I have a cabbing machine and tumbler but my very favorite thing to do it sit and shape my stomes with my dremel. It sounds nuts but it seems like I can feel and hear and go where the stone wants me to go. I never use a dop stick when I'm on the cabbing machine either because I have to feel them, and yes, I have manhands, lol..
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on May 23, 2011 16:00:49 GMT -5
I use Graves dia-cut in my drip for the bucket work station. Just about one ounce to one gallon of water. It non-greasy/oily and works well to preserve the diamond on my flex shaft attachments.
I do not feel it is even needed but bought several bottles when I was doing opals as I felt it would keep the heat down. Plain water works just as well!
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Post by takecouragedesigns on May 24, 2011 8:11:41 GMT -5
Thanks SO MUCH to everyone here! I so appreciate all your friendly help! Now to order the disks and figure out the drip method- I can hardly wait to get started :-) !
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rockgirl
noticing nice landscape pebbles
great state of ohio
Member since April 2011
Posts: 99
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Post by rockgirl on May 24, 2011 8:53:50 GMT -5
i have done this also....just remember that you want the handle of the dremel on your left....that way it will throw the water and grit away from you face......been there done that
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on May 24, 2011 9:24:46 GMT -5
Harbor Freight also sells a flex shaft Fordem knock off for about $40. I have not tried one but might be a slight upgrade from the dremel. Important thing here is to be safe and have fun!
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rockgirl
noticing nice landscape pebbles
great state of ohio
Member since April 2011
Posts: 99
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Post by rockgirl on May 24, 2011 10:08:40 GMT -5
i have the flex shaft also....it deff takes away some of the risk of water and a power tool.....i think i got it at lowe's for about the same price stefan....it's also worth it because it is easier to control when you are using it in your hand karon
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on May 24, 2011 10:17:34 GMT -5
i have done this also....just remember that you want the handle of the dremel on your left....that way it will throw the water and grit away from you face......been there done that Mine is on the right due to space constraints as to where I could hang the fordom motor with flex shaft. I am ambidex with right hand dominate and can use both hands almost as good as just right handed. So in the bucket set up I can cab smaller stones and shape with my left hand. When I use it for carving, the vise is taken off and I use the flex in my right hand and hold the stone being carved in my left. Thus the reason for the strip of plexi in the center to catch any and all stuff being thrown at me.
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Post by tanyafrench on May 24, 2011 10:44:41 GMT -5
Is that a cut out bucket your shaft is in? It looks like a great method. I also have a flex shaft for my Dremel, I originally tried drilling stones with the flex shaft but found it much easier with the dremel press. Perhaps I should try using the flex shaft for cutting the cabs, but I am going to try cutting the Rainbow Obsidian first.
Tanya
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on May 24, 2011 10:50:18 GMT -5
yes, its a 5 gal. bucket cut out with a 2x4 and thin plywood platform to place the water tray up and any over spray goes into the bottom of the bucket under my platform. I got the idea from Lapidary Journal, can't remember which one.
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Post by tanyafrench on May 24, 2011 11:14:03 GMT -5
Thanks much, that looks like something I could do. With Krystee's help and now yours I am going to be cutting and shaping stone without a saw.
Tanya
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Post by mohs on May 24, 2011 11:15:51 GMT -5
I use my dremel to zip a groove on the 2 flat half's of a rock'n heart so when its put together I have a pre-drilled hole for the screw bale I just dip my finger in water and to keep the flat wet
most the time I wear a dusk mask but I get lazy or can't find the darn thing in a timely fashion so I just hold my breath for the 3 seconds and then when done-- I exhale to keep those nasty little silicate particles out of my lungs hopefully it works
this is very instructive thread on dremel set-ups Ed
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Post by tanyafrench on May 24, 2011 13:19:16 GMT -5
Thanks Ed, Tanya
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Post by tntmom on May 24, 2011 14:09:49 GMT -5
Frog and Bear,
LOVE your bucket set up!!! My splash guard is very primitive. You can barely see it on the left side of the picture I posted. I have a big construction roll of plastic wrap used for wrapping pallets. I hang it from the ceiling and when shaping stones I just pull a sheet down and clip it to the table. When finished I just cut off the plastic wrap and toss it. I do get some water on the concrete floor with my method, but I just wipe it up with a towel.
~Krystee
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