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Post by beefjello on Dec 21, 2008 21:39:26 GMT -5
This is what was on tap for today's slabbing session:) Close up on one of the slabs Thanks for the look
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Post by Tweetiepy on Dec 21, 2008 21:56:39 GMT -5
Cool stuff - it looks like little square sand piles on the table in the first shot - the dark brown stuff cabs up really nice & takes a nice shine - the lighter brown, not so much in my experiece - you got some nice stuff there - did it smell?
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Post by frane on Dec 21, 2008 22:26:25 GMT -5
Nice looking turritella! I have not even attempted working with this stuff but one day I will now. Fran
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Dec 21, 2008 23:04:38 GMT -5
Howdy Beef, Just being a buttinski here but I think you'll be really happy next time if you cut the turritella the other direction, parallel to the way the snails lie in the rock. I usually vice it up, cut off the brown porous stuff from the outside and really go for the slabs right through the blackest part of the center of the vein. You don't get very many slabs that way but the pattern with most all the snails cut lengthwise is really spectacular and those few slabs are much lest pitted because that's the most solid portion of the block....Mel
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Post by bobby1 on Dec 21, 2008 23:10:51 GMT -5
Beef, I was going to suggest turning the cutting parallel to the top, but Mel beat me to it. It is easier to grip the rough like you did but the results are better the other way. Bob
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UtahRockHound
spending too much on rocks
Sometimes your the Windshield, sometimes your the Rock.
Member since May 2008
Posts: 301
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Post by UtahRockHound on Dec 22, 2008 9:44:13 GMT -5
Just seen a 2" sphere made of the same stuff friday. turned out real interesing. will be interesting to see what it looks like as a cab.
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Post by Tweetiepy on Dec 22, 2008 9:47:31 GMT -5
Do all the snails tend to lie/die the same way? Is that so you can see the whole "cone"?
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Post by bobby1 on Dec 22, 2008 10:53:30 GMT -5
Tweetiepy, Generally they lie parallel to the top/bottom direction, but not always as would be expected of any irregular shaped object randomly piled up, but most do lie flat to the top/bottom. Bob
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Post by Tonyterner on Dec 22, 2008 11:44:15 GMT -5
I still haven't cabbed any of this yet. I'm with the others though, slicing the other way to really show the shells would have made it more interesting.
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Post by beefjello on Dec 22, 2008 13:48:43 GMT -5
Thanks for the input Mel & Bob. I still have a sizable chunk of this left, I'm going to try it the other way next time Tweet yes it has a distinct odor while you're cutting it!
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Dec 22, 2008 16:34:25 GMT -5
Brian: Here are some preforms from slabs of turritella cut parallel to the top and bottom of the vein. Haven't cabbed these yet because they are a bit browner than I like ( from a slab more towards the outside). Chopped up cabbed and sold the cabs from the blackest slab right off the bat. Sorry I didn't save it intact because it was a beauty. As you can see by these though, the shells are really displayed to best advantage when cut in this direction.....Mel
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DeanW
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2007
Posts: 721
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Post by DeanW on Dec 22, 2008 18:40:09 GMT -5
Beef, I did the exact same thing with my first (well, so far only just because of how many rocks I have to cut) turitella chunk. Had a couple of folks look at the slabs at the 2008 Santa Clara Gem & Mineral Show who told me also to turn it to the other direction. So don't feel bad about it, still neat looking in my opinion.
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Post by Woodyrock on Dec 23, 2008 2:37:02 GMT -5
I like the way way Beef very politely described the 'distinct odor'. My shop smelled like a muddy tide flat at low tide on a summer day day after slabbing just a six pound chunk! Not just the dayI slabbed it, but for about three days. Cabbing it was not so bad. Thank you Mel for telling us about cutting away the brown part. Woody
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