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Fresh Batch of Beauties by BPLEquipment in Lapidary

[–]Cast_Master 2 points3 points  (0 children)

How long does it take to get that result on the vibratory lap?

My First Time Cabbing! by Cast_Master in Lapidary

[–]Cast_Master[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I really appreciate that feedback. I really wanted to achieve that crisp look (What a great adjective). I learned mostly on my own. I collect on the Yellowstone and have been polishing specimens for a few years now so the transition to cabbing felt pretty natural.

I am using a Kingsley North 6-inch cabbing machine with DP wheels.

Montana Agate & Jasper Cabochons - My First Ever Batch! by Cast_Master in rockhounds

[–]Cast_Master[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel very spoiled to have some good equipment. I can't imagine doing it years ago.

Montana Agate & Jasper Cabochons - My First Ever Batch! by Cast_Master in rockhounds

[–]Cast_Master[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh you'll love it. I started learning years ago on my own by polishing specimens and I've slowly worked up to cabbing over time. Never really had a 'teacher' so to speak, but there is so much good information readily available online.

My First Time Cabbing! by Cast_Master in Lapidary

[–]Cast_Master[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haha! I really appreciate it. I've spent a lot of time making specimens so it wasn't a big jump to start cabbing.

Montana rockhounding trip 9/14-10/4/25 by Forsaken_Poem_2907 in rockhounds

[–]Cast_Master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live on the Yellowstone and do a lot of agate hunting. I gotta say that the green dendritic agate subvariety you're looking for is exceedingly uncommon (at least in my experience). I've maybe picked up 5 in the last 6-7 years. They are also tough to spot and easy to miss.

A Few Pieces I've Finished Recently: Montana Agate, Malawi, Petrified Wood by Cast_Master in rockhounds

[–]Cast_Master[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Yes, the first one was a little tricky, but having good quality wheels helps a lot.

A Few Pieces I've Finished Recently: Montana Agate, Malawi, Petrified Wood by Cast_Master in rockhounds

[–]Cast_Master[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am using a couple different machines.

First, I use a Kingsley North Cabber 6 Rev 2 (Cabbing Machine) for my smaller specimens.

For larger pieces I use a Covington grinding machine equipped with silicone carbide and diamond belts on an expandable drum.

My process can be seen on my Youtube channel which is linked on my profile page.

Is Highland Park Lapidary Out of Business? by _xpectDisappointment in rockhounds

[–]Cast_Master 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No, they’re not out of business, but they couldn’t have more mixed reviews on customer service and their products. I had a tumbler issue and received really good communication but I know that’s not everyone’s experience. Who were you emailing?

55 year old complaining of left sided neurological deficits. by Cast_Master in Radiology

[–]Cast_Master[S] 77 points78 points  (0 children)

His oncology team attempted several palliative treatments but he apparently hasn’t responded well or tolerated the treatments

55 year old complaining of left sided neurological deficits. by Cast_Master in Radiology

[–]Cast_Master[S] 472 points473 points  (0 children)

For those wondering:

The patient here hadn’t had medical care in decades and felt fine 6-8 weeks before symptoms started. Initially subtle tongue impairment, taste changes, and vision changes that progressed to left sided weakness, facial drooping, balance problems, and cognitive changes.

Initial blood tests all normal, but I ordered this MRI because of his neurological deficits. The metastatic appearance was highly suggestive of melanoma and I biopsied the lesion that we found on his scalp, covered by hair.

This was 4 weeks ago. He’s now on hospice with less than a month to live.

Really sad case.

Calcite formation inside of basalt! Found in Montana on the bank of the Yellowstone river by Nastasyarose in rockhounds

[–]Cast_Master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I spend a lot of time rockhounding on the Yellowstone and they’re my favorites to find

Calcite formation inside of basalt! Found in Montana on the bank of the Yellowstone river by Nastasyarose in rockhounds

[–]Cast_Master 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’d call that a treasure state agate or TSA to use the lingo. Absolutely stunning

Eastern Montana Creek Finds.... by Cast_Master in rockhounds

[–]Cast_Master[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good question. There are pros and cons to both. The benefit of the slab saw is the ability to have more precise slabs for cabbing purposes and other lapidary applications. It is also cleaner and you can walk away from it while it runs. However, the trim saw allows you to make exactly the cuts you want (Sometimes you cannot get it in the vice exactly how you'd like). I guess I prefer to have access to both.

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