deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Nov 25, 2007 1:58:37 GMT -5
The story behind these slabs, are these are the ones I took into the local rock shop to be cut in half so they'd fit in my saw, then they were supposed to cut 1/4" slab. Well, that didn't happen! Someone not too experienced with the saw ended up muffing a few slabs, and then the slabs he was able to cut were 1/2" thick!! I had a bit of a fit, took back what rock they hadn't done yet, and didn't pay for the cutting for the fat slabs. BUT I spent about 7 hours on the road today, and brought back the 14" saw that Tony spotted! Now dubbed by a friend as 'Tina the Turner' . With Stoner's help, she should be up and running soon! The top slab is from the giant blue boulder that the guys were knocking pieces off and gave to Gabbi. One is from the same area as Tony's monster. And the other, well, came out of my bucket! SO...my question is, what can I do about cabbing from a slab 1/2" thick?? Just a fat cab? I don't have a flat lap. Any tips? ~Dee
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Post by rocklicker on Nov 25, 2007 3:05:29 GMT -5
How about a gigantic cab? Or maybe some skinney ones? That or you can saw it up in rectangle shapes for the tumbler. Then you could make nice pendants out of them. Sure is a nice color whatever you decide to do with them.
Glad to hear you got the new saw! I hope you get it going soon! Steve
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Post by akansan on Nov 25, 2007 9:09:44 GMT -5
I've ground thicker preforms both on my WF and on my actual grinder. I had a few 1/2" slabs myself, both purchased and thick cuts I had made for my tumbler.
The slabs look really nice!
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Post by catmandewe on Nov 25, 2007 10:34:58 GMT -5
Some nice material there. Get a slab grabber and you can cut those slabs in half. But to cut a 1/2 inch slab in half you will come out with about 3/16 inch slabs by the time you account for the blade thickness. Or, as Steve suggested, you can make chunks for the tumbler. Can't wait till you get the saw up and running..............Tony
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darrad
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,636
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Post by darrad on Nov 25, 2007 10:56:19 GMT -5
You must have been livid!!! I would not want to be the person that made those cuts.
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Nov 25, 2007 11:33:28 GMT -5
I was more stunned than livid. Good grief!! Hey Tony, that's a good idea! It's next on my 'wish list'... And true, I have my first 'batch' in my little 3 pound tumbler I've had since I was a kid! I bet after I'm done with it, I'll be hooked! Thanks all for the ideas! ~Dee
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Post by parfive on Nov 25, 2007 13:14:39 GMT -5
If those slabs are as big as they look (over 5" ?) I wouldn't bother trying to slice them in half. But if there are nice areas you want to cab, cut the big slab into more manageable pieces and slab them . . . much easier. And you don't have to buy a slab grabber - it's easy to fashion something to fit the particular vice on your saw: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=tips&action=display&thread=1175063714Rich
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Post by stoner on Nov 25, 2007 16:11:10 GMT -5
You can cut those slabs into smaller pieces, maybe cut them in half or quarters, then you'll have a nice flat surface to lay on the saw top and with a thin blade, slice them in half and you'll have twice as many slabs that are just under 1/4" thick. I do this all the time.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 25, 2007 18:34:12 GMT -5
Wow that is cut thick. I'm leaning more and more toward 3/16 or slightly thicker slabs as those real thick ones take forever to grind into preforms and dome. Plus the thick ones are heavy and hard to mount....Mel
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Post by rocklicker on Nov 26, 2007 1:56:16 GMT -5
Thin slabs are a good thing as I discovered recently. It takes less grinding and you get that low dome real easy. Ed's idea is a good one. Steve
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Post by Jurrasic Jonje on Nov 26, 2007 10:53:59 GMT -5
wow I would have blown a gasket!! I have had to trim thick slabs. What I did was cut out my preform then using the guide on my WF trimmed that perform down to 1/4 inch. it may be a lil bit of a waste but it does work.
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