herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Feb 1, 2012 11:16:50 GMT -5
Well it all seems to be coming together. I still don't have my diamond wheel to replace my SiC wheel, but I am finally making the domes I want, using the dop stick with good results, and finding pieces of material in all my orders of saw scrap that don't have too many imperfections. I also am still waiting on the aluminum pencils I ordered and the templates so I can work on calibrated stones - so for now I am still free-forming my cabs. Here is last night's Mooka Jasper free-form - before and after. I still found some issues this morning, but I am also in the process of getting some appropriate work lights so I can see this stuff before I am done. Nonetheless I was happy with the finished stone.
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 1, 2012 11:35:16 GMT -5
No need to order aluminum pencils. Go to your local welding supply store and buy a couple sticks of the thickest TIG welding wire they have. It comes in 3' lengths. You can cut it to length and have a whole fist full of pencils for the cost of a couple of the ordered pencils. While you're at it, but a couple sticks of brass brazing rod too. Brass pencils show up better on light colored slabs. Or you can do what most of us do and use fine point Sharpie pens. Don
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Feb 1, 2012 11:42:33 GMT -5
plain old aluminum nails that they use to put up aluminum rain gutters is the same as the aluminum pencils and a lot cheaper. I keep a nice point on mine with a metal file
Cool mook cab!
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Feb 1, 2012 11:47:03 GMT -5
eh, I already ordered a dozen, they were cheap. I wondered about brass though - I saw brass pencils as an option too.
I like the aluminum nails option.
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Post by bobby1 on Feb 1, 2012 13:03:42 GMT -5
I also use a black ball point pen on lighter materials because it stands out very well and also because it makes a very fine line. Having a thin fine line to define the girdle results in an easier time in getting the girdle perfect in its outline. I find that a wider line results in uncertainty about the exact location of the line. By doing it this way I can get near perfect girdles, especially on the large round cabs that I do. Bob
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2012 13:14:34 GMT -5
Looking good John. Just like anything else, practice, practice, practice. You have come a long way in a short time. Jim
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Post by BuiltonRock on Feb 1, 2012 13:25:16 GMT -5
A cab a day is quite ambitious and your doing great! John
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Feb 1, 2012 14:17:35 GMT -5
Now that Mook is lookin real fine. Compare that to your first and as I said in an earlier post you will be amazed by your progress. Keep in mind that when you get that new diamond wheel you are going to have to break it in. Make sure you have a nice piece of agate on hand. Also that puppy is going to EAT rock like you have never seen so remember be light handed on the grind when you are on that wheel. Especially in the beginning. I am loving your ongoing progress. That is a nice shape on that cab also. In your next post please post a profile shot so we can see your girdle. You mentioned that you want to do calibrated cabs. From what I understand about calibrated cabs the girdle is very important because these cabs are calibrated to fit into a specific size mounting. Stu
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Feb 1, 2012 15:15:32 GMT -5
Thanks all.
I just got the diamond wheel today at work, so I will hopefully have time tonight to swap it out and give it a ride.
Stu - It is a 120 grit wheel, where my current SiC wheel is 100 - do you think it will still eat faster given that it is a smaller grit?
I will show a profile once I start doing calibrated cabs. The reason I am going to is that several folks have recommended that as a way to work on evening my dome and learning to work with a girdle. This stone does have a girdle, but I just made sure it was even all the way around but didn't care how tall it was.
Yeah I just used the fractures in the stone to pick the shape. The slab was from a batch of scrap I bought on ebay. I did like it though.
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 1, 2012 15:37:57 GMT -5
John, before you use that new wheel it's important to dress it first. Just take a scrap of uninteresting agate and make about a dozen passes all the way across the face of the wheel. You'll see while dressing your wheel, just how aggressive diamond wheels cut. When that 120 grit diamond is new, it will probably remove material as fast as an 80 grit SC wheel would. It will tame down some with use. On materials less than 7 Mohs, I do all of my shaping on a 220 diamond wheel. Don
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Feb 1, 2012 15:52:15 GMT -5
Thanks Don, I will dress accordingly. I appreciate all the help - everyone thanks so much.
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dbrealityrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2010
Posts: 1,084
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Post by dbrealityrocks on Feb 1, 2012 16:07:14 GMT -5
WOO HOO way to go!!! Be a pro sooner than later at this rate.
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Feb 1, 2012 17:44:27 GMT -5
Yea John as Don had already answered your question yes that 120 wheel will eat rock at an amazing rate and as he and I recommended get a piece of agate to use for breaking in the wheel. Stu
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Feb 1, 2012 23:06:05 GMT -5
Looking great! I enjoy seeing your progression pictures. They look like your coming along nicely. Every time you cab...your going to find something you can do differntly to make your cabs that much better. Best advice...and your already doing that...Practice, Practice, Practice! I think your a little addicted too....Love it! steve
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Post by connrock on Feb 2, 2012 8:53:31 GMT -5
Your cab looks very nice John and your progress is amazing!
I've always had trouble cutting calibrated cabs especially the smaller ones.To cut a cab with it's outer diameter within 1mm isn't an easy task especially for a beginner!
You seemed to have gotten the whole idea of cabbing pretty fast so who knows,,,,maybe you're a natural at it!Hope so!
connrock
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