Very nice, not bad for your first time out Tim, just keep at it! Just remember, hot wax is hot! 💡🤪🤪 Get Kim in there using the machines too if she wants some cabs!
Nice job! I love making cabs just for the enjoyment it gives me. I didn’t order the wax dop setup because I was lazy, but I had some brass 1/4” rod and some super glue kicking around, which became my favorite way. With the metal rods and super glue, when you are done you just hold it with pliers, heat it for about 5-10 seconds near the stone with a little torch and then pop it right off using a rag in the other hand. Accelerator makes it all go really fast as well. I still get some that pop off but it’s usually because I was getting on it a bit too much, or the stone type just didn’t wanna stick. I learned that method from some gem cutters that had issues with wax. Nothing worse than an indexed cut coming unglued!
Yay good job on your first cab!! Nicely done 🥳 For the dop stick, make sure your rock is fairly hot. Leave the bottom side facing up and put your finger on it to check, if it's hot enough it'll almost hurt your finger. Then once the stick is on, leave it to sit for quite a while to make sure the wax is fully hardened (I leave mine over night if possible). Also, completely dry your stone often to check for scratches as you're working it. And the secret for a killer shine is cerium oxide 😃 Enjoy your new obsession, it's so much fun!!
Nice job on your first attempt! The main thing is you had fun! I’m going to take a lapidary class on basic cabochon making near my home. I’m buying an arbor and saw this week! I’ve been a rockhound for many many years and have a lot of stuff to cut and play with!😄👍
It's always scary the first time out. I think you did a great job. I've been cutting cabs for over 35 years. It will get easier. Your choice of material was a good one. Agate, especially Montana, will take a great polish. I agree with a previous post. You need to finish it off with a leather or carpet buffing wheel charged with Cerium Oxide. I prefer the more expensive Optical grade Cerium Oxide. To me it gives me a superior polish to just plain Cerium Oxide. I recommend using a template if you guys plan to buy commercially made settings as you'll need your stones to be more precise or they won't fit very well. Of course, if you're a metal smith like me, then it doesn't matter. You just make the setting to match the stone. My set up is a Genie with 6 inch wheels and I've only tried a flat lap once. I've seen plenty of cabs made from both types of machines that are excellent, so really it's just a matter of choice as to which to use. A flat lap will eventually make it's way into my shop (some day). I agree with another post, your stone was not hot enough for the wax to adhere successfully. Also, my dop pot gets hotter than what yours appeared to. I use a mix of dop wax when the weather is warm and superglue in the winter because to release dop wax you just put it in the freezer for about 10 mins and the stone will come off very easily. Watching RUclips videos on how to cut cabs is a good start, but does not compare to going to a club shop or Lapidary school and getting first hand instruction. Depending on where you live, access might be a problem though. Good luck on your future attempts.
@@spetkovsek57 thank you very much for all the info, I truly appreciate it! I don’t think there is a class of any kind that is close but it is something I will check into, and I will definitely get a setup of some kind to use Cerium Oxide. I enjoyed making it a lot more than I thought I would, looking forward to doing more. Also thinking about learning to wire wrap and a few other things, who knows! Thanks for the input and for watching!
@@JensensAdventures I see you are in Montana. Google "The Northwest Rockhound Retreat". It happens every year the week after Labor Day and the price is reasonable. You will get all kinds of experience as the instructors a some of the best in the northwest.
try using shoe goo some time it comes off easy wth a razor knife ! I like your videos, you are down to earth . the dog is also a hit ! hope to me you sometime on the yellowstone !
Awesome choice of material! The first one is always intimidating but worth it. It will get easier as you go. It looks to me that the dop wax isnt getting hot enough? Should be runnier I think? Hopeful some others will chime in too. Great Job! I enjoy your adventures too!
Nice one! I attempted my first cab about a week ago and it flew out of my hands. It’s still hiding under a bookshelf somewhere 😂 That dop pot looks like a hot mess, literally! Have you seen Currently Rockhounding’s short about dop pots? It’s awesome! 😂
@@youtubesongsbraley9824 thanks! I get all my music off of artist.com I couldn’t tell you what the names are right now but I’ll try to start posting it in the description tab what I put in each video, music really adds to the emotion your trying to portray in the video at that time, a lot of fun to do, thanks for watching!
Great video! I've avoided doing this like the plague. Got all the equipment except for the dopping stick (glad I didn't get one after watching your experience, no offense 😅😂). I'm just a big chicken. My 10" Hi-tech Diamond saw is coming in today so I'm pretty stoked about that, along with $207 of rocks and specimens from AZ Rockhounding Expeditions. Lots of stuff to work and play with! Can cut and feed my new Lot-O-Tumbler vibratory Tumbler as well! Show us your stuff you make please. And where did you get the 3000 grit grinding disc?
@@RickSmith-kp3sy oh man, I’m excited for you, your gonna have a blast! I get my disks from Hitech Diamonds website, I’m sure the stick has its place but on this one it felt awkward anyways, thanks for watching!
Way impressive!
@@ceeclearly6840 thanks for watching!
Very nice, not bad for your first time out Tim, just keep at it! Just remember, hot wax is hot! 💡🤪🤪 Get Kim in there using the machines too if she wants some cabs!
@@matthewcarey7323 haha you said it! Thanks for watching!
Nice little piece of Montana Moss!
@@michaelc6817 thanks for watching!
Nice job! I love making cabs just for the enjoyment it gives me. I didn’t order the wax dop setup because I was lazy, but I had some brass 1/4” rod and some super glue kicking around, which became my favorite way. With the metal rods and super glue, when you are done you just hold it with pliers, heat it for about 5-10 seconds near the stone with a little torch and then pop it right off using a rag in the other hand. Accelerator makes it all go really fast as well. I still get some that pop off but it’s usually because I was getting on it a bit too much, or the stone type just didn’t wanna stick. I learned that method from some gem cutters that had issues with wax. Nothing worse than an indexed cut coming unglued!
@@waywardwoodward right on, thanks for the info! Hope all is well down south.
Yay good job on your first cab!! Nicely done 🥳 For the dop stick, make sure your rock is fairly hot. Leave the bottom side facing up and put your finger on it to check, if it's hot enough it'll almost hurt your finger. Then once the stick is on, leave it to sit for quite a while to make sure the wax is fully hardened (I leave mine over night if possible). Also, completely dry your stone often to check for scratches as you're working it. And the secret for a killer shine is cerium oxide 😃 Enjoy your new obsession, it's so much fun!!
@@emlovesagates thanks for the info! It is fun, I hope the strike gets resolved so you can get your rocks!
@JensensAdventures I hope so too!!!! I'm trying really hard to be patient lol!
Loved the video. It is always easier watching someone else muddling through the process. 😂
@@MadelineRose-ep7fj thanks for watching!
Nice job on your first attempt! The main thing is you had fun! I’m going to take a lapidary class on basic cabochon making near my home. I’m buying an arbor and saw this week! I’ve been a rockhound for many many years and have a lot of stuff to cut and play with!😄👍
@@Fishmonger35 heck yeah, same here, thanks for watching!
Nicely done!
@@rubyroseadventures thanks!
It's always scary the first time out. I think you did a great job. I've been cutting cabs for over 35 years. It will get easier. Your choice of material was a good one. Agate, especially Montana, will take a great polish. I agree with a previous post. You need to finish it off with a leather or carpet buffing wheel charged with Cerium Oxide. I prefer the more expensive Optical grade Cerium Oxide. To me it gives me a superior polish to just plain Cerium Oxide. I recommend using a template if you guys plan to buy commercially made settings as you'll need your stones to be more precise or they won't fit very well. Of course, if you're a metal smith like me, then it doesn't matter. You just make the setting to match the stone. My set up is a Genie with 6 inch wheels and I've only tried a flat lap once. I've seen plenty of cabs made from both types of machines that are excellent, so really it's just a matter of choice as to which to use. A flat lap will eventually make it's way into my shop (some day). I agree with another post, your stone was not hot enough for the wax to adhere successfully. Also, my dop pot gets hotter than what yours appeared to. I use a mix of dop wax when the weather is warm and superglue in the winter because to release dop wax you just put it in the freezer for about 10 mins and the stone will come off very easily. Watching RUclips videos on how to cut cabs is a good start, but does not compare to going to a club shop or Lapidary school and getting first hand instruction. Depending on where you live, access might be a problem though. Good luck on your future attempts.
@@spetkovsek57 thank you very much for all the info, I truly appreciate it! I don’t think there is a class of any kind that is close but it is something I will check into, and I will definitely get a setup of some kind to use Cerium Oxide. I enjoyed making it a lot more than I thought I would, looking forward to doing more. Also thinking about learning to wire wrap and a few other things, who knows! Thanks for the input and for watching!
@@JensensAdventures I see you are in Montana. Google "The Northwest Rockhound Retreat". It happens every year the week after Labor Day and the price is reasonable. You will get all kinds of experience as the instructors a some of the best in the northwest.
try using shoe goo some time it comes off easy wth a razor knife ! I like your videos, you are down to earth . the dog is also a hit ! hope to me you sometime on the yellowstone !
@@glennbraun3856 thanks for the tip, I will look into that, you never know we just might run into each other, thanks for watching!
Awesome choice of material! The first one is always intimidating but worth it. It will get easier as you go. It looks to me that the dop wax isnt getting hot enough? Should be runnier I think? Hopeful some others will chime in too. Great Job! I enjoy your adventures too!
@@bryant448 thanks! It was fun, glad you enjoy the channel, thanks for watching!
Nice one! I attempted my first cab about a week ago and it flew out of my hands. It’s still hiding under a bookshelf somewhere 😂
That dop pot looks like a hot mess, literally! Have you seen Currently Rockhounding’s short about dop pots? It’s awesome! 😂
@@soul_adventurist I’ll have to look it up, thanks for watching!
Really like your channel! Also what is your sound track I really like the 🎶 music!
@@youtubesongsbraley9824 thanks! I get all my music off of artist.com I couldn’t tell you what the names are right now but I’ll try to start posting it in the description tab what I put in each video, music really adds to the emotion your trying to portray in the video at that time, a lot of fun to do, thanks for watching!
nice
@@pkgoldopalhunting thanks for watching!
Great video! I've avoided doing this like the plague. Got all the equipment except for the dopping stick (glad I didn't get one after watching your experience, no offense 😅😂). I'm just a big chicken. My 10" Hi-tech Diamond saw is coming in today so I'm pretty stoked about that, along with $207 of rocks and specimens from AZ Rockhounding Expeditions. Lots of stuff to work and play with! Can cut and feed my new Lot-O-Tumbler vibratory Tumbler as well! Show us your stuff you make please. And where did you get the 3000 grit grinding disc?
Are you going to start making cabs too??!! This is exciting! I'm jealous of your 10" saw!
@@RickSmith-kp3sy oh man, I’m excited for you, your gonna have a blast! I get my disks from Hitech Diamonds website, I’m sure the stick has its place but on this one it felt awkward anyways, thanks for watching!
@JensensAdventures
Thanks for the information Tim! Hope you get to fill that elk tag if you haven't already! Bugle on!!!
@@RickSmith-kp3sy sadly I never did, didn’t see a single elk, that’s hunting though, better luck next time!
Beautiful cab! I think you did very well for the first one. I'm with Kim, lose the weird beard. (Sorry)
@@notinmanitou haha, yeah it probably needs to go, thanks for watching!
Super glue and a flat nail work better
I will have to try that, thanks!