[Jewelry making - Article 00355] - [Orchid] Flex shaft lapidary

[MillsGem]

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All,

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   Slabbing, Shaping and Polishing Turquoise Cabs Using Foredom Handpiece
   By Lee Epperson

          This paper will describe the process of slabbing, shaping and
          polishing turquoise cabs using Foredom Handpiece and various
          grinding discs. Other stone materials require different
          polishing methods and will not be covered in this paper.... 

    Complete Story:
    http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/cabbing-turquoise.htm

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    I just viewed Lee Epperson's tutorial on using a fex shaft for
    lapidary purposes. Lee has done a great job of sharing his expertise
    and I heartily recommend that any of you who have an interest in the
    subject should also view it. I have only one reservation and that is
    that one should probably think twice about using the technique on the
    harder stones inasmuch as you are not using a lubricant/coolant.
    Furthermore, using this approach with heat sensitive stones is also
    risky. Opal would be especially vulnerable. Diamond abrasives can be
    used, but you will not get much life out of diamond accessories which
    are used dry. Another consideration is that when using the
    unlubricated flex shaft method you are going to create a lot of dust.
    When this is the case you had better set up a means of blowing it
    away ( a small fan will do nicely ) Otherwise, doing it outdoors with
    a breeze will also work nicely. If you are working some of the mildly
    poisonous materials you will also need to consider using a
    respirator. Malachite, turquoise, abalone and any form of quartz can
    be hazardous. ( Quartz is not poisonous, but silicosis can kill you!
    ) 

    Another application of the technique is that of using abrasive
    wheels to trim the girdles of cabochons which don't quite fit in the
    bezel cups. 

    Congratulations, Lee, on a job well done.....by the way, that bolo
    that you made for the tutorial is a hell of a nice piece ! The
    craftsmanship is excellent and the design is great. Keep up the good
    work!   

Ron Mills, Mills Gem 
Co. Los Osos, Ca.



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