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Post by stoner on Jan 7, 2014 16:23:39 GMT -5
Very nice! I like the Bat Cav
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Post by stoner on Jan 7, 2014 16:22:07 GMT -5
Great job, nice shine.
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Post by stoner on Dec 24, 2013 2:01:26 GMT -5
Not only have I been busy cutting cabs, I also made some pendants for Gifts this holiday season. Rainbow Obsidian, I cut the notches in the back plate to make the pendant look more like an obsidian point. Chrysocolla in quartz, my first attempt at oxidizing a piece. Malachite
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Post by stoner on Dec 24, 2013 1:35:37 GMT -5
Bsky, yep, those are the mirrors I was talking about. Unlike the mylar, the coating will always be protected by the glass of the mirror. I clean(very carefully 'cuz the the silver can be scratched easily) the coated side of the mirror with alcohol, and I use 330 epoxy to glue it to the back of the stone. The epoxy dries water clear so there's no problem with the stone looking cloudy. I've even used super glue when I was in a hurry. Post your results.
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Post by stoner on Dec 20, 2013 22:21:22 GMT -5
Nice variety Brian. Are you ready to go to Quarzite and get some more? I'll probably be coming down there.
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Post by stoner on Dec 20, 2013 22:18:34 GMT -5
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Post by stoner on Dec 20, 2013 22:04:32 GMT -5
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Post by stoner on Dec 16, 2013 0:11:05 GMT -5
I'll give her a call on Monday, I need to even up with her and I'll ask what's going on.
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Post by stoner on Dec 16, 2013 0:04:30 GMT -5
Thanks everyone, it feels good to be sitting at the grinder again!
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Post by stoner on Dec 16, 2013 0:03:01 GMT -5
I'm with Mel, it does look like a Botswana agate. Look at your avatar, it looks nothing like the Agua Nueva you have pictured there!
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Post by stoner on Dec 14, 2013 13:17:59 GMT -5
I'm getting back into the swing of things, so hopefully I will be posting more cabs. Boulder Opal Chrysocolla/Malachite or Shattuckite Malachite Varacsite A couple of Royal Velvet Obsidian And a Laguna Agate A little darker
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Post by stoner on Dec 14, 2013 13:06:03 GMT -5
I'll add that I will leave the top flat if by doming it, the pattern will be ground off and you'll wind up with a plain looking stone. Picture jaspers come to mind.
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Post by stoner on Dec 14, 2013 13:01:55 GMT -5
The 60g wheels cut more like a plated 80g wheel,only they cut like this for years. I don't find the chipping to be too bad. If the stone does start to chip, I just bevel the back edge on the 180g and then go back to the 60g to finish shaping it. I've been using mine since 2007 and haven't had to dress it yet, and it remains flat. I'm not careful about moving the cab back and forth across the wheel. My suggestion is a 60g and 180 grit for sintered wheels. As for shipping, yes, Hans does charge a lot for shipping, but it's still cheaper than USA wheels. I've ordered twice from him, the first time it took 3-4 weeks and the second time it was almost over-night. I placed my order on a Thursday NIGHT and the package of two wheels was on my doorstep on the following Monday. I think he ships all his orders going to the USA at one time, so if you order just before his shipping date, you'll get it fast, whereas if you order right after his shipping date, you may have to wait.
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Post by stoner on Dec 13, 2013 19:18:02 GMT -5
Thanks for all the support on my health issues, one test over with and one to go next week. I appreciate the comments on the cabs, the purple sunrise is one my favorites too.
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Post by stoner on Dec 13, 2013 19:12:44 GMT -5
Like Darryl said, the definition of cabochon is to have a domed top. A cabo-john is a flat topped cab that is beveled on the edges(Sandsman cabs) As to whether or not having a high dome or a low dome, is a matter of slab thickness and personal taste. If one buys slabs, then you are limited by how thick of a slab you buy. If one cuts their own slabs, the sky's the limit as to how high of a dome a cab can have. It is very difficult to remove all the scratches on a "buff top" cab as opposed to a domed cab.
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Post by stoner on Dec 13, 2013 19:00:54 GMT -5
The sintered wheels from Hans are excellent wheels, long lasting, and about the only thing bad about them is that they are a bit heavy. I use them on my old Barranca Diamond DP8 and that machine is made like a tank, so weight is no problem. I bought a sintered wheel from Inland in 2007 when they were putting 5mm of diamond on their wheels and I'm still using it-and I've made a LOT of cabs. I bought a 60 and a 180 wheel from Hans about one to one and a half years ago, I've been using the 180 since and it doesn't show any wear, cuts good, and runs smooth. The price was right so I'll just hang on the 60g wheel until my old one finally bits the dust, which won't be for a few more years. Wheels made nowadays in the USA are on coated with 3-3.5mm of diamond and they're the same price I paid for my wheel in 2007-like anything else, less product and more cost!
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Post by stoner on Dec 9, 2013 21:05:47 GMT -5
I've been having some health issues lately and I haven't had much interest in working with my rocks, but here's 6 of my latest. Purple Sunrise agate Rosetta Stone Tiffany Stone Laguna agate Priday Plume agate This is the first time I've seen Morgan Hill Poppy Jasper in these colors. I got the rough from a rock shop by Eureka, Ca.
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Post by stoner on Dec 9, 2013 20:35:44 GMT -5
Nice work. But I have to ask, how did you get the Bat Cave cut with the brown section in the middle and the matrix on the outside? I like the way its cut, has it still got a dome? Or is it concave? This is the only way I've seen it cut.
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Post by stoner on Oct 31, 2013 21:47:23 GMT -5
I've been on Etsy since 2007, one of the original cabochon only shops. Now, there are so many shops selling cabs it seems the market is saturated. I still sell my cabs, but not the way I used to, and with Etsy's new policy, I may bail out to another handmade site.
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Post by stoner on Oct 30, 2013 13:54:15 GMT -5
Well, I guess I'm little late, but Kim is joined the forum shortly after I did in 2003. She was a regular member here until life got in her way. She was part of the original trip to Woodward Ranch in 2007 where I found out her typing doesn't sound anything like her voice(strong MS accent). Kim is a dear friend of mine and I can guarantee everyone that what she sells is excellent material, and she will stand behind everything she sells. Hi Kim!!!!
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