Post by sparkles on Dec 8, 2008 12:06:44 GMT -5
Hiya Folks,
Well I finally got here, and it’s taken quite some time, a lot of perspiration and a little mild cursing too, but eventually I finished my first wrap. I shall recount my tale of inspiration and generosity.
I first have to thank the grooviest cabber out there - My Buddy Adrian!
Your “re-discovery” of the groove wrapping technique has been an inspiration, an irresistible urge to have a go took hold when I saw your approach a few months ago. Since then we’ve been treated to an increasingly glorious menu of mouth watering examples and several which were absolutely breath-taking. I could resist no longer! ;D I had to have a go at the style now known as, the “Romanian Cut” ;D ;D ;D
Last year I believe a number of RTH members met up at Burro Creek in Arizona and took part in an Agate hunt, they collected lots and lots of material, and kindly donated various chunks in to several boxes which were distributed to like-minded folks who couldn’t make it to the fest. It was one of these special folks (a very dear friend of mine) who so kindly sent me a chunk or two of their booty, and I’ve been itching to cut and polish some.
So after my tentative cabbing took a huge boost with all the kind comments on last weeks domey round cabs, I thought I’d better move a stage onward, I already had some pre-forms slabbed and trimmed from last weeks 18mm circles, I selected a choice “pellet” and set to work...
My 18mm x 9mm (about 3/4” x 1/3”), circular pre-form was tested on my latest acquisition, a 25mm - 1in - Slitting Disc, sort of a small lateral saw blade 1mm thick. It cuts nice neat grooves and seemed ideal for the task, I gave it a spin on my Inland Grinder... ;D
The groove behaved nicely and the stone was then domed on either side, starting with the back which is about 3mm high, and then the front at around 5mm high, the stone was polished from rough straight through to shine on my modified diamond laps, more info to follow soon.
It’s the first time I’ve used wire work of any kind and so I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it in the end, it’s mighty tricky stuff to work with, springing and kinking just where you don’t want it to, and the cinches around the bail loops are murder! But I managed to wrap ‘em up OK, and I’m quite pleased with the result.
I’m sure that as I work more of this style of stone and wire, I will find the knack that is currently missing, I gained a whole load of experience and a tremendous amount of respect for my fellow rock polishers. Adrian, it’s the sign of a master craftsman that can make something which is so nearly impossible look so routine and controlled, you are a highly gifted and multi talented Lapidary, and I owe you a huge amount of thanks, it was an honor to try my hand in your style. This one is dedicated to you Buddy.
Right that’s wrap number 1 - now I’m off to polish some more! ;D
Cheers,
Sparkles.
p.s. Sorry about the photos, the light is really poor at this time of year and I struggled to share the beauty of this Agate, it looks OK - a bit grainy, certainly not as nice as it does up close. Roll on Spring!
Well I finally got here, and it’s taken quite some time, a lot of perspiration and a little mild cursing too, but eventually I finished my first wrap. I shall recount my tale of inspiration and generosity.
I first have to thank the grooviest cabber out there - My Buddy Adrian!
Thank-You Sir!!!!
Your “re-discovery” of the groove wrapping technique has been an inspiration, an irresistible urge to have a go took hold when I saw your approach a few months ago. Since then we’ve been treated to an increasingly glorious menu of mouth watering examples and several which were absolutely breath-taking. I could resist no longer! ;D I had to have a go at the style now known as, the “Romanian Cut” ;D ;D ;D
Last year I believe a number of RTH members met up at Burro Creek in Arizona and took part in an Agate hunt, they collected lots and lots of material, and kindly donated various chunks in to several boxes which were distributed to like-minded folks who couldn’t make it to the fest. It was one of these special folks (a very dear friend of mine) who so kindly sent me a chunk or two of their booty, and I’ve been itching to cut and polish some.
So after my tentative cabbing took a huge boost with all the kind comments on last weeks domey round cabs, I thought I’d better move a stage onward, I already had some pre-forms slabbed and trimmed from last weeks 18mm circles, I selected a choice “pellet” and set to work...
My 18mm x 9mm (about 3/4” x 1/3”), circular pre-form was tested on my latest acquisition, a 25mm - 1in - Slitting Disc, sort of a small lateral saw blade 1mm thick. It cuts nice neat grooves and seemed ideal for the task, I gave it a spin on my Inland Grinder... ;D
The groove behaved nicely and the stone was then domed on either side, starting with the back which is about 3mm high, and then the front at around 5mm high, the stone was polished from rough straight through to shine on my modified diamond laps, more info to follow soon.
It’s the first time I’ve used wire work of any kind and so I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it in the end, it’s mighty tricky stuff to work with, springing and kinking just where you don’t want it to, and the cinches around the bail loops are murder! But I managed to wrap ‘em up OK, and I’m quite pleased with the result.
I’m sure that as I work more of this style of stone and wire, I will find the knack that is currently missing, I gained a whole load of experience and a tremendous amount of respect for my fellow rock polishers. Adrian, it’s the sign of a master craftsman that can make something which is so nearly impossible look so routine and controlled, you are a highly gifted and multi talented Lapidary, and I owe you a huge amount of thanks, it was an honor to try my hand in your style. This one is dedicated to you Buddy.
Right that’s wrap number 1 - now I’m off to polish some more! ;D
Cheers,
Sparkles.
p.s. Sorry about the photos, the light is really poor at this time of year and I struggled to share the beauty of this Agate, it looks OK - a bit grainy, certainly not as nice as it does up close. Roll on Spring!