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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 10, 2016 21:13:54 GMT -5
I just got a really nice small piece on ebay. I have only cabbed a few turquoise. One was natural, no stabilizing, but it was hard nacozari turquoise.
Does number 8 turquoise usually need stabilizing? How do I know if it needs to be stabilized? Or, is that something I find out when I start cabbing. I'd like to get away with no treatment.
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Post by orrum on Sept 11, 2016 3:25:19 GMT -5
Stick it to your tongue, if it grabs then it is unstabalized. You will smell plastic burning if you stick a hot pin to it. Dont worry if it is stabalized, almost all is nowadays. Tela you need to back it with Devon steel reinforced epoxy. About a eighth of a inch thick to almost a sixteenth will do. Number 8 is good stuff. Soak it in water before sawing or cabbing, it helps keep it together. Did you get a chunk of rough or a slab? You ca slice it a eighth of a inch thick to get more from rough. Use plenty of water as you know. I love number 8, is yours the classic dark matrix with groups of dots? Enjoy!!!
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Post by radio on Sept 11, 2016 7:37:48 GMT -5
It will sometimes undercut if not stabilized and if cut too thin, will often break along the matrix lines. Orrum gave good advice above. I would not attempt to cab it without backing first.
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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 11, 2016 7:49:30 GMT -5
Great advice!! Thanks guys.
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Post by orrum on Sept 11, 2016 13:53:18 GMT -5
Wow Thanx Radio for the compliment! Your work is fantastic!
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jcinpc
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2009
Posts: 722
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Post by jcinpc on Sept 12, 2016 13:18:36 GMT -5
here is apiece of #8, it was stabilized and in my opinion didn't need to be backed, was thick enough to cab as is . I had purchased an end cut from a big piece of rough. it worked fine
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