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Post by gmitch067 on May 4, 2018 20:41:04 GMT -5
(I know all of the folks with saws all have their hands raised with frantic waving saying "ME-ME-ME"... Well we shall see...)
I do not have the mobility to rock hound or even go to any of the shows... I am a couch potato... with a dremel tool.
I do not buy from ebay or etsy because I have a high level of paranoia.
I do not use PayPal or crypto-currencies. I mainly purchase with a charge-card on a secure site.
(Wow... what a looser!)
Given the above criteria, where would YOU purchase cabbing slabs from? ... and WHY?
Glenn
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Post by woodman on May 4, 2018 21:13:13 GMT -5
Given your criteria, I would not buy any slabs! It would be impossible to do so!
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Post by Pat on May 4, 2018 21:41:12 GMT -5
Which secure sites do YOU buy from?
Paypal used to let you buy with your credit card—without having a PayPal account. I think they still do.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on May 4, 2018 23:00:53 GMT -5
I believe Pat is correct. You can use a credit card on Paypal without an account.
You might also consider Color-Wright (greatslabs.com). I've bought rough and supplies from Rob for years now. I've never purchased slabs from him, but from my experience I'm sure they would be nice slabs. He runs sales on different rough all the time, so it pays to check often. You can order through the website or call him to place an order if you're uncomfortable with using a website.
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Post by catmandewe on May 4, 2018 23:34:09 GMT -5
What kind of slabs are you looking for?
Tony
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Post by gmitch067 on May 5, 2018 0:53:15 GMT -5
What kind of slabs are you looking for? Tony I mainly search for slabs with rich and vibrant colors, contrast, and complexity... But that might change tomorrow morning... Naaaa... I really do NOT gravitate to the creams and pastels. I also like interesting dendrite formations, but sometimes enjoy pure solid colors. picky... picky... picky... LOL! |
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Post by gmitch067 on May 5, 2018 1:01:13 GMT -5
I believe Pat is correct. You can use a credit card on Paypal without an account. You might also consider Color-Wright (greatslabs.com). I've bought rough and supplies from Rob for years now. I've never purchased slabs from him, but from my experience I'm sure they would be nice slabs. He runs sales on different rough all the time, so it pays to check often. You can order through the website or call him to place an order if you're uncomfortable with using a website. Thank you Robin. Your post is what I am looking for. I will bookmark the site for future refs. I appreciate the character ref too. I am more prone to calling in my order than to buy directly online. Thanks again Glenn |
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Post by Rockoonz on May 5, 2018 1:25:52 GMT -5
I highly recommend Tony and Roy from here for some great slabs as well, but you'll mostly find them on Facebook. If you avoid etsy and ebay I imagine FB is out of the question as well, though. Anymore I usually cut slabs, but when I buy I also trust Jeff Hill, but other than the shows I see him at, he only sells on ebay to my knowledge. stores.ebay.com/SilverHill-Lapidary |
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Post by gmitch067 on May 5, 2018 1:30:47 GMT -5
I highly recommend Tony and Roy from here for some great slabs as well, but you'll mostly find them on Facebook. If you avoid etsy and ebay I imagine FB is out of the question as well, though. Anymore I usually cut slabs, but when I buy I also trust Jeff Hill, but other than the shows I see him at, he only sells on ebay to my knowledge. stores.ebay.com/SilverHill-LapidaryThanks Lee. You are correct... I do not do Facebook either. Lol! I wish I could get to some of those shows... a lot of good deals. Oh well... |
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Post by orrum on May 5, 2018 6:10:35 GMT -5
You might like tumbling. Search on here for tumble cabs, they are awesome!!! DrummondIsland rocks has great pics and directions on how he makes them. Ask Tony/catmandew or one of the other slabbers for a selection of slabbets, they can be tumbled without trimming the edges for live edge cabs or you can grind and shape the edges first.
Also you can buy the 4.5 inch tile saw from Harbor Freight and do like Rob/jugglerguy and saw the cabs out and as you saw you can grind the edges off. Rob is the undisputed master at tile saw cabbing!!!
Enjoy the hobby, there is a place in lapidary for any persons desires!!!
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Post by orrum on May 5, 2018 6:10:55 GMT -5
You might like tumbling. Search on here for tumble cabs, they are awesome!!! DrummondIsland rocks has great pics and directions on how he makes them. Ask Tony/catmandew or one of the other slabbers for a selection of slabbets, they can be tumbled without trimming the edges for live edge cabs or you can grind and shape the edges first.
Also you can buy the 4.5 inch tile saw from Harbor Freight and do like Rob/jugglerguy and saw the cabs out and as you saw you can grind the edges off. Rob is the undisputed master at tile saw cabbing!!!
Enjoy the hobby, there is a place in lapidary for any persons desires!!!
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Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,977
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Post by Tommy on May 5, 2018 9:59:39 GMT -5
Yeah that's a tough criteria and it will cause you to pay quite a bit more for slabs than if you visited some of the local gem shows we are blessed with in northern CA. That being said, if you are doing it for fun (as opposed to profit or to supplement your income) there should still be sources. Etsy is an option - secure site/credit card www.etsy.com/search?q=lapidary%20slabs |
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Post by gmitch067 on May 5, 2018 11:08:55 GMT -5
You might like tumbling. Search on here for tumble cabs, they are awesome!!! DrummondIsland rocks has great pics and directions on how he makes them. Ask Tony/catmandew or one of the other slabbers for a selection of slabbets, they can be tumbled without trimming the edges for live edge cabs or you can grind and shape the edges first. Also you can buy the 4.5 inch tile saw from Harbor Freight and do like Rob/jugglerguy and saw the cabs out and as you saw you can grind the edges off. Rob is the undisputed master at tile saw cabbing!!! Enjoy the hobby, there is a place in lapidary for any persons desires!!! Thanks for the advice orrum. I have a 7" tile saw used to rough cut preforms from slabs and I then grind and sand them into a nice shape. I then finish them off in one of my vibes. I am thoroughly enjoying this hobby+++ |
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2018 11:10:48 GMT -5
Yeah that's a tough criteria and it will cause you to pay quite a bit more for slabs than if you visited some of the local gem shows we are blessed with in northern CA. If at all possible, get thee to a local show. Absolutely nothing beats looking at slabs in person, and as said, cheaper than online - if only for saving postage. I see and learn something new even from the little shows that travel thru this neck of the woods, and as I am getting ever older, more decrepit and less able to do much digging, I find foregoing my loathing of crowds an acceptable trade-off in exchange for being able to handle some rocks I'd never see or know about otherwise. I only go to those that have free admission, which thankfully most around here are, and it really is worth going. There are lists of dates of shows across the US and Canada online... |
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Post by rockjunquie on May 5, 2018 11:16:08 GMT -5
I get a vast majority on eBay. You can use a credit card with paypal. One of the good things about eBay is you know who you are dealing with via the feedback system. Also, it's a good way to get to know some of the sellers. I have good relationships with lots of them. People appreciate repeat business. You can usually buy a bunch of items and have them hold them for you for combined shipping, too. There are a number of very good sellers on eBay. A bunch of ppl here sell on eBay- @rocks2dust and Jeff Barnhouse, I think that's his first name, whose screen name I think is rxscram - to name a few. I can vouch for both as very good sellers. Rocks2dust gets a lot of variety and is so knowledgeable that I have complete faith in what he's selling. Jeff gets really killer pietersite, stichtite and charoite. Spend some time on eBay and look around. There are a coupe of sellers who get good stuff in very small quantities that people get in bidding wars over- I avoid those. Some of their auctions get insanely over priced. You can also do Buy it now. I have gotten very good deals that way. |
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Post by rockjunquie on May 5, 2018 11:17:45 GMT -5
Yeah that's a tough criteria and it will cause you to pay quite a bit more for slabs than if you visited some of the local gem shows we are blessed with in northern CA. If at all possible, get thee to a local show. Absolutely nothing beats looking at slabs in person, and as said, cheaper than online - if only for saving postage. I see and learn something new even from the little shows that travel thru this neck of the woods, and as I am getting ever older, more decrepit and less able to do much digging, I find foregoing my loathing of crowds an acceptable trade-off in exchange for being able to handle some rocks I'd never see or know about otherwise. I only go to those that have free admission, which thankfully most around here are, and it really is worth going. There are lists of dates of shows across the US and Canada online... LOL! I just posted about you. You posted while I was writing. I had my eye on that pulsite you had on eBay. |
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Post by gmitch067 on May 5, 2018 11:31:37 GMT -5
Yeah that's a tough criteria and it will cause you to pay quite a bit more for slabs than if you visited some of the local gem shows we are blessed with in northern CA. That being said, if you are doing it for fun (as opposed to profit or to supplement your income) there should still be sources. Etsy is an option - secure site/credit card www.etsy.com/search?q=lapidary%20slabsGood advice Tommy. Thank you. My lapidary pursuits are totally for fun and enjoyment... I do not sell any of my creations... I dump them on unsuspecting kids and grand kids and run away. Over half of the tumbled shinies are gracing my kids flowerbeds and the other half serves to keep the neighbor kids happy. I started to make jewelry for the girls of my family but they are very demanding on quality, and size, and shape and have a set idea of what they will wear and what they will give away... mostly they give it away to their unsuspecting friends... then run away. Oh well... So now I just do it for my own enjoyment. The local rock shop has many nice displays but their slabs for sell and scrabble bins are very hit and miss, and I have thoroughly picked them over. I am happy with the slabs and services while using Stone Age Industries, but I want to find other sources to expand my choices and do a little price comparisons. |
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2018 11:36:55 GMT -5
You posted while I was writing.  Thanks, I'm not (and will never be) much of a seller though I do sell off the accumulated extras that are the inevitable side effect of this hobby. I really do encourage folks to visit their local shows, even if you don't interact or buy, it is always a good experience. For younger folks with kids, it can be a cheap, educational afternoon somewhere with available bathrooms and snacks. For us old folks, it is an easy and absorbing hour or four strolling, sitting and looking through tubs of wonderful material. (As I write, I'm talking myself into trying to go to the Madras and Prineville Pow Wows again this year - I can find a million reasons to skip them, but am always glad when I just take the plunge and go. Last year, I even managed to tempt a couple of bored grands into going - and leave the mobile devices at home - they actually enjoyed it!) |
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Post by rockjunquie on May 5, 2018 11:42:49 GMT -5
You posted while I was writing. Thanks, I'm not (and will never be) much of a seller though I do sell off the accumulated extras that are the inevitable side effect of this hobby. I really do encourage folks to visit their local shows, even if you don't interact or buy, it is always a good experience. For younger folks with kids, it can be a cheap, educational afternoon somewhere with available bathrooms and snacks. For us old folks, it is an easy and absorbing hour or four strolling, sitting and looking through tubs of wonderful material. (As I write, I'm talking myself into trying to go to the Madras and Prineville Pow Wows again this year - I can find a million reasons to skip them, but am always glad when I just take the plunge and go. Last year, I even managed to tempt a couple of bored grands into going - and leave the mobile devices at home - they actually enjoyed it!) We have one show that comes here. Not many cabs or slabs- mostly beads and jewelry.  Oh, the pitfalls of living on the East Coast. |
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Post by gmitch067 on May 5, 2018 11:53:25 GMT -5
If at all possible, get thee to a local show. Absolutely nothing beats looking at slabs in person, and as said, cheaper than online - if only for saving postage. I see and learn something new even from the little shows that travel thru this neck of the woods, and as I am getting ever older, more decrepit and less able to do much digging, I find foregoing my loathing of crowds an acceptable trade-off in exchange for being able to handle some rocks I'd never see or know about otherwise. I only go to those that have free admission, which thankfully most around here are, and it really is worth going. There are lists of dates of shows across the US and Canada online... Thank you @rocks2dust. Got these sites bookmarked now  |
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Thanks, I'm not (and will never be) much of a seller though I do sell off the accumulated extras that are the inevitable side effect of this hobby. I really do encourage folks to visit their local shows, even if you don't interact or buy, it is always a good experience. For younger folks with kids, it can be a cheap, educational afternoon somewhere with available bathrooms and snacks. For us old folks, it is an easy and absorbing hour or four strolling, sitting and looking through tubs of wonderful material. (As I write, I'm talking myself into trying to go to the Madras and Prineville Pow Wows again this year - I can find a million reasons to skip them, but am always glad when I just take the plunge and go. Last year, I even managed to tempt a couple of bored grands into going - and leave the mobile devices at home - they actually enjoyed it!) 
Oh, the pitfalls of living on the East Coast.
