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Post by pghram on Jan 27, 2014 13:39:08 GMT -5
Friends, Recently several folks have shared their first attempts & some of their frustrations so, I thought I would share my first three cabs. First, a thankyou to all of the folks on this forum, virtually everything I have learned (w/ much more to learn) about cabbing has come from this site. So THANK YOU!!! Also, I hope to provide some emcouragement to those just beginning. My first attempts were absolutely atrocious, auful, pitiful, & I could go on & on. I'm not being modest, as you will see from the photos of my first cabs. These may be the worst first cabs to ever be posted here, if fact, I would bet on it. Feel free to laugh. Just to give you a better idea, the white lace cab is only about 1 mm thick. I practically ground it completely away. My third, the sodalite, is so katty-wampus that you might think it's a tumble - the tumbler would have done a much better job! The point is, if I can get to some level of proficiency, so can you. This site is a treasure-trove of information and assistance. I also include three booklets that got me started, but frankly, w/ the infor on this site they would be a waste of money for you. Rich
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Post by drocknut on Jan 27, 2014 13:48:32 GMT -5
Those are not bad. I like them all. Katty-wampus makes it unique and interesting. I agree, this forum is a treasure trove of information as well as a great place to get encouragement.
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kaldorlon
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2013
Posts: 413
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Post by kaldorlon on Jan 27, 2014 13:52:51 GMT -5
100% agreement. The folks on this site are awesome about helping and sharing information.
I think part of my problem cabbing is I make myself try to rush, given that I have ltd. time (as I have to drive 30 mins and use other folks stuff once/twice a month). Think when I get my own machine I will feel better about the time crunch.
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Post by Pat on Jan 27, 2014 14:30:26 GMT -5
You'll get there because you have started.
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Jan 27, 2014 14:50:02 GMT -5
I found this site by accident when I was doing search for my wife. Up until that time I never even heard of the word "lapidary". Like most living things I was attracted to all of the bright and shiny rocks, and a flame was ignited in me. The addiction began. I at first was going to get a tumbler but being the type of person who is in need of instant gratification I realized that I didn't have the patience to wait weeks or months in order to get my fix of the bright and shiny stuff. So within a couple of weeks after finding this site I took delivery of a new cab machine and trim saw. Living in NJ a state not known for lapidary everything I learned was learned from the wonderful people on this forum. As was suggested to me by another member "save your first cab". You will be amazed as to the progress that you will make after each new cab after there after. My first purchase of rocks was a box of slab trimings. It was great material to leaarn with and it gave me a chance to work with many different types of rock. Stu
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Post by 150FromFundy on Jan 27, 2014 16:43:06 GMT -5
Hey Rich! I have the same three books in my collection. Like yours, mine are still like new because they don't get used all that much. As you suggested, all the learning comes from participating in the various RTH forums. Those books had value before the internet, but aren't likely to be revised.
Darryl.
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Post by Pat on Jan 27, 2014 16:53:04 GMT -5
Nothing like experience! Experienced friend told me to cut out 10 preforms, trim, and go to it. At the end, I'd know something about cabbing. He was right.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,175
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Post by jamesp on Jan 27, 2014 17:02:00 GMT -5
Shoulda posted the malachite and OP cabs next to them to show what a pro you have become.
This is a real cool site. The people make it happen.
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Post by kk on Jan 27, 2014 17:03:39 GMT -5
Yep those styles look familiar. Same here, everything I do today was only possible because of the encouragement I got from the forums. For me even more so, as we don't have any clubs over here.
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Jan 27, 2014 17:17:20 GMT -5
Yup I too stumbled onto this site (I think I found a post by jakesrocks when I was searching for how to clean calcite crystals of something)... I didnt have a clue about any of this stuff (still dont mostly). But thru the this forum I have slid way down the slippery slope, now lots o rocks and lots of new (old) equipment. The metal smithing will def do me in next.... pghram nailed it this forum is the best source for knowledge and inspiration I have found. Many thanks. Cheers
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aimeesrockworks
spending too much on rocks
I really do look like my avatar... it kinda freaks me out.
Member since December 2010
Posts: 458
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Post by aimeesrockworks on Jan 27, 2014 19:00:26 GMT -5
I think you get the Major Bonus Points Award! (Which means you 'get' to keep posting pictures of your cabs here for us to gawk at.)
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Post by pauls on Jan 27, 2014 22:18:22 GMT -5
I think we all have a few of those hidden away. For newcomers to the hobby don't make the mistake of beating your ego about by comparing your first cabs to someone who's been doing it for 50 years, at least not at first. Celebrate what you have achieved, you have turned an ordinary, sometimes even ugly lump of stone into a gem. Pat yourself on the back, be proud, show it to everyone, you are fantastic. Then later in a quiet moment go back and have a close look at your gem, what is the difference. How did that person on the forum get his gem looking so nice. Ask yourself. Why is mine different? Is your shape a bit lumpy? Could you have picked a better pattern? Is there Scratches? Orange peel? Flaws and cracks? Polish? You will discover what it is you need to get better at. Then keep your stone so you can go back to it in 6 months or a year and compare where you're at now to where you were.
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Post by mohs on Jan 28, 2014 11:48:38 GMT -5
Rich I'd bend over to pick them up and I bend over as little as possible...mostly I've perused those books like to read about techniques rock on- find the treasure- shine Ed
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jollyrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 409
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Post by jollyrockhound on Jan 28, 2014 12:06:25 GMT -5
Not bad for first time, yes this site rocks lol when it comes to info.
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