micellular
has rocks in the head
Rock fever is curable with more rocks.
Member since September 2015
Posts: 640
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Post by micellular on Sept 1, 2015 15:18:46 GMT -5
I started rockhounding just over a month ago. Alarmed at the rate at which my rock pile was growing, I decided to take a lapidary class about two weeks ago to slowly hack away at the profusion. These were done on expanding belts, with the progression of 60/80 diamong, 220 diamong, 600 diamond, 600 SC, 1200 SC, 3000 SC, to 14000 SC. Here are the results! I must say, I've gotten mighty addicted and am already contemplating what setup I can fit in my tiny SF apartment room... Please tell me what you think, and any feedback would be highly appreciated. (Especially tips on how you get a smooth shallow dome, and commiseration that tiny scratches are so hard to notice when you're actually at the wheel!) Cab #1 - a silicified fossil limestone gifted by the lovely Steve at my local rock club Cab #2 - cut from a rock I hand-collected. I never thought it would turn out so lovely! I think it's a green mossy/brecciated jaspagate, and it takes a good polish. Cab #3 - cut from the same rock as #2. I didn't quite get the shallow dome smooth, and there are quite a few small scratches. Cab #4 - I'm not sure what this is. It's a very hard mossy yellow agate with pools of red banding, honey-colored clear agate, and the occasional druzy pocket. It takes a great polish, but does leave some small pits. Cab #5 - same material as above. I'm really happy with the composition on this one, and how well it polished. Cheers! Michelle
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Post by orrum on Sept 1, 2015 16:05:42 GMT -5
Wow those are great!!! Get a Pixie with the trim saw attachment! That's what I want for our travel trailer snowbird ing winters.
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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 1, 2015 16:39:32 GMT -5
Welcome!! I think you did a great job on these cabs. They look fabulous, the polishes look liquid fine, your shapes are nice and your framing is sweet. Don't let a couple scratches bug you. They happen. Wipe the stone dry between grits and use a vision aid to make sure all the previous grit's scratches are gone before moving on. It'll all become second nature to you soon.
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Sept 1, 2015 17:01:00 GMT -5
WOWWWZERS! A "newbie", but who would know. I hate to break this news to you, but...you are no longer a newbie but an "artist"! Great work, that's for sure.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 1, 2015 20:52:19 GMT -5
You are certainly off to a great start. You have the shine going already. Welcome to the madness.
Chuck
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Post by mohs on Sept 1, 2015 21:47:42 GMT -5
inspiring your found2finish is fantastic! I'd say those lapidary classes contributed but your probably just a natural
EdMohs
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panamark
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,343
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Post by panamark on Sept 1, 2015 21:49:27 GMT -5
Welcome Michelle. And I should add that you seem to have hit the ground running Those are really nice and for your first ones, WOW! Can't wait to see what else you will be showing us. Thanks for sharing. PS: there is no cure <insert crazy man's laughter here>
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2015 5:55:21 GMT -5
Those are probably the best first cabs I have seen posted on here in 4 or 5 years. Like what was said above "it looks like you are a natural" and obviously a perfectionist.
Welcome to our crazy world and I can honestly say that your eyes will uncross as time goes on. Another thing I am pretty sure of is that your pile of rocks will never get smaller even if you have more machines than necessary to get the job done. They just seem to appear out of nowhere.
I will also be one of the people "watching for your next photos" on here and it is impossible to post too many.
There are also no dumb questions and someone on here will be able to answer your questions "most" of the time. Jim from North Central Wyoming, the land of nothing but rocks and we even have a few good ones.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,676
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Post by Fossilman on Sept 2, 2015 9:46:34 GMT -5
Two thumbs up and yes,you did a great job!!!
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micellular
has rocks in the head
Rock fever is curable with more rocks.
Member since September 2015
Posts: 640
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Post by micellular on Sept 2, 2015 11:56:52 GMT -5
Wow, thanks for all the compliments! Especially from some folks whose work I greatly admire I'm super stoked to hit the shop tonight. It'll be my only chance for another week. Those withdrawals are something fierce, I tell ya. More noob questions: (1) There seem to be many different lapidary styles and set ups. Is there a good primer or thread somewhere on the relative merits and drawbacks of, say, a flat lap vs expanding wheel? And how is a drum different from a wheel? (2) Another question: other than personal aesthetic preference, what factors inform the choice between shallow dome, high dome, girdled edge, beveled edge, and polished back? Are some better for certain downstream applications (like bezel-setting, wire-wrapping, or display)? How does the type and properties of the material matter (like translucency/transparency, complexity of pattern, ability to take a high polish, presence of vugs or voids)? I'm sure the answers will be some variant of "It Depends (TM)", but I would really appreciate any general rules of thumb! (3) Where would you recommend I find small slabettes or scrap cuts of a wide variety of different stones? I'd like to build experience and spare my light wallet on some valuable rough. I've picked through my club's spare slab pile, but those will only keep me occupied for so long.
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Post by stardiamond on Sept 2, 2015 12:12:54 GMT -5
Great work, I've been cutting cabs for a long time and can't approach your skill. For #3, look in the Buy sell swap board here. If you don't see anything post a request for a small or medium flat rate box. In the highly unusual case you don't get a response after a while, PM me with what you like.
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mrzulu
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2015
Posts: 245
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Post by mrzulu on Sept 2, 2015 12:25:13 GMT -5
90% of the rocks I am starting with are from my driveway.
I am near Moonstone Beach in Trinidad, CA a little over 250 miles north of you on US HWY 101 in Northern Humboldt County smack in the middle of the Emerald Triangle.
AMAZING agate country
:cool:
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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 2, 2015 13:25:20 GMT -5
More noob questions: (2) Another question: other than personal aesthetic preference, what factors inform the choice between shallow dome, high dome, girdled edge, beveled edge, and polished back? Are some better for certain downstream applications (like bezel-setting, wire-wrapping, or display)? How does the type and properties of the material matter (like translucency/transparency, complexity of pattern, ability to take a high polish, presence of vugs or voids)? I'll take a stab at this one. Yes, "it depends" is the broad answer. BUT.... I find that I cab more of a shallow dome because I have to buy slabs since I don't cut my own from rough. Slabs are generally 1/4" or less. Expensive stuff is usually less. So, I can't really get too high a dome. A flat top would be done on a flat lap. I have one, but I don't use it much. If you cut your own, you can go thick enough to groove the stone and thick enough for a high dome. I don't polish the backs because they are always pretty dang smooth. I choose to use a beveled (angled) girdle for silversmithing or wire wrapping. I like a nice sharp girdle line. But, I think lots of people would argue for their own preference. I'm not quite sure what you are asking here. Can you rephrase? For the record, I use diamond wheels on a Genie. If you can afford it, I think it's a great way to go. They are pretty pricey, though.
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meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Sept 2, 2015 19:12:22 GMT -5
Very nice cabs!! Welcome to the addiction! Andrea
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micellular
has rocks in the head
Rock fever is curable with more rocks.
Member since September 2015
Posts: 640
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Post by micellular on Sept 4, 2015 19:25:06 GMT -5
90% of the rocks I am starting with are from my driveway. I am near Moonstone Beach in Trinidad, CA a little over 250 miles north of you on US HWY 101 in Northern Humboldt County smack in the middle of the Emerald Triangle. AMAZING agate country :cool: Aw man, I was planning a road trip up the CA and Oregon coast for beachcombing this weekend, but it fell through. I'm still thinking about coming up on my own for a day trip or an overnighter, maybe near Patrick's Point.
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micellular
has rocks in the head
Rock fever is curable with more rocks.
Member since September 2015
Posts: 640
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Post by micellular on Sept 4, 2015 19:31:02 GMT -5
I find that I cab more of a shallow dome because I have to buy slabs since I don't cut my own from rough. Slabs are generally 1/4" or less. Expensive stuff is usually less. So, I can't really get too high a dome. A flat top would be done on a flat lap. I have one, but I don't use it much. If you cut your own, you can go thick enough to groove the stone and thick enough for a high dome. I don't polish the backs because they are always pretty dang smooth. I choose to use a beveled (angled) girdle for silversmithing or wire wrapping. I like a nice sharp girdle line. But, I think lots of people would argue for their own preference. I'm not quite sure what you are asking here. Can you rephrase? For the record, I use diamond wheels on a Genie. If you can afford it, I think it's a great way to go. They are pretty pricey, though. Thanks, that's really useful. I'd eventually like to get into silver smithing, so the angled girdle sounds useful - do you mean that it's not at a 90 degree angle from the bottom, but inclined a few degrees towards the center? --------- As for my confusingly worded question, i meant something like: If you have a visually complicated pattern, is it better to have a shallower dome so that reflections from a high polish don't interfere with the pattern? Especially on the smaller stones that I tend to cut?
Similarly, if you have areas of transparency or translucency in a stone, is that better shown off on a low or high dome?
---------
BTW your work is stunning - everything from the unusual shapes, to the pleasing lines and framing, not to mention the unreal polish. Absolutely inspirational and aspirational!
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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 4, 2015 19:48:15 GMT -5
Yes, I forget the best degree. I do it by eye. It is not real radical, but enough. Is that vague enough? When you are silversmithing the bottom of the cab needs to be a hair larger than the top so that the bezel wire can be pushed up against the stone to close the gap and hold the stone in. I hope that made sense. I don't think there is a "rule" for that sort of thing. Personally, I can't think of an example where it would matter except for obsidian and some feldspar types (like labradorite), which are typically best higher domed to achieve a light effect. I think experience and your own sense of style and balance will dictate what you choose to do.
Thank you for the compliments I'd have a few more to post... if I weren't so lazy about getting pictures.
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mrzulu
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2015
Posts: 245
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Post by mrzulu on Sept 5, 2015 20:56:32 GMT -5
Patrick's Point is my neighborhood. Keep in touch. I'll show you the less trodden beaches.
I am not quite ready for the best ones. Need to heal some more and gain some strength.
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marinedad
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2010
Posts: 813
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Post by marinedad on Sept 18, 2015 14:21:01 GMT -5
wow, newby no more, great polish on all of them. hope you enjoy the preforms and slabs I sent, mark.
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timloco
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2012
Posts: 545
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Post by timloco on Sept 18, 2015 14:51:31 GMT -5
Wow those are great for your first cabs. That green looks like some of the epidosite I find in northern CO. If there are scratches, they're not obvious in these pics I wouldn't worry about them.
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