Topic: Fingernails (Read 6600 times)

drnihili · « **on:** February 19, 2015, 12:55:14 PM »

So, working on my first cab. It's going pretty well except that my index fingernails are ground to the quick and have an AMAZING polish.

Other than simply being more cautious, does anyone have any advice? I can't see myself using dop sticks I'm afraid.

wampidy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2015, 01:58:53 PM »

Bigger cabs. No ear rings.
Jim

Gergis · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2015, 02:24:03 PM »

When i cut alot it seems inevitable to facet your nails a little bit..after a few months of heavy cutting you will get better

Phishisgroovin · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2015, 08:45:48 PM »

if BOTH of your index fingers arent BLEEDING you arent doing it right!

lithicbeads · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2015, 05:26:24 AM »

As long as you haven't run out of blood you are doing it right.

Enchantra · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2015, 08:55:07 AM »

Two words - Dop stick.

MrsWTownsend · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2015, 07:14:28 PM »

I hate using dop sticks. You just have to train yourself to hold your fingers farther back on the preform while you are working it and come to terms with lovely polished [paper thin] fingernails. Oh and when you start feeling a strange warm sensation on your nail bed, you are too close. :D.

You could try wrapping your fingers in tape but for me, then I can't feel over the surface of the stone for uniformity as well.

Rockin' Tapatalk

bgast1 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2015, 06:58:39 AM »

I have used dop sticks but now I am going to try to cut without the stick. I don't like having to re dop just to finish the back of the cab.

ToTheSummit · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2015, 02:51:41 PM »

I don't dop. But the smallest cab I can do is about the size of my thumbnail. If I wanted to do small stones for jewelry I would have to rethink my anti-dopping attitude.

Oh, and my nails are always nicely "manicured" after a day spent at the wheels!

MrsWTownsend · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2015, 01:48:34 AM »

I have to correct myself. When I do cabs for earring stud type sizes, I use nails for dop sticks. I have dop sticks that my husband machined for me with nice knurled handles... And ones we got form the class we took on cab making a hundred million years ago which are wooden dowels with screws in them. I just never use them.

Phishisgroovin · « **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2015, 09:06:44 AM »

I prefer a dop with my tendonitis

Phishisgroovin · « **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2015, 09:07:14 AM »

Also helps me have nice arches and domes

drnihili · « **Reply #12 on:** March 17, 2015, 09:47:11 AM »

Quote from: Phishisgroovin on March 17, 2015, 09:07:14 AM

Also helps me have nice arches and domes

I was just about to say that I can see where a dop would be a huge help in making domes. I've been working on a little piece that has quite a bit of dome to it, and I'm finding it nearly impossible to get a smooth curve by hand. I think some of that may be my equipment too. I'm ok on the diamond wheels, but once I move to the expando-drum, everything gets bumpy. I suspect that may have a bit to do with the drum being not quite true. Is it normal for them to have a slight wobble, especially at the edges?

Sandsave · « **Reply #13 on:** March 17, 2015, 11:28:06 AM »

No dops here tried and like my fingers better, and I used to be a hand model.lol as far a good dome goes lots of practice, never let your cab stop moving, you'll get the hang of it.

lithicbeads · « **Reply #14 on:** March 17, 2015, 12:19:53 PM »

Expandos are usually a bit bumpy but so is life.

fossilman · « **Reply #15 on:** January 26, 2017, 08:52:10 AM »

I just use my fingers,I feel the rock better,as for finger nails,they grow back...LOL

bobby1 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 26, 2017, 07:50:08 PM »

As you get older and you start to recognize the tendonitis in your wrists and strains on your fingers from tightly gripping small, slick things in cold water you will come to the realization there is a reason for using dop sticks.
Bob

gemfeller · « **Reply #17 on:** January 26, 2017, 08:43:35 PM »

It's one of those preference things. I taught myself to cut using fingers only and even though I have painful arthritis in my hands I can still cut stones of all sizes including opals down to 6 x 8 mm. or so with no dops. I occasionally use dops only for final polish or sanding difficult or some high-dome cabs. I also manage to avoid bleeding fingers and ground-away fingernails (mostly) through years of practice. But as I said at the outset, everyone has different preferences/techniques. It depends on what floats your boat.

hummingbirdstones · « **Reply #18 on:** January 27, 2017, 06:38:00 AM »

Exactly. I can do them both ways and I will always grind them to shape freehand, but if it is a smaller cab, I'll usually dop it up because my fingers lock up when I'm holding them freehand at the wheels. Hurts like the dickens and sometimes the cabs go flying because I can't unlock my fingers to grip the buggers. Just easier for me to hold a dop stick and not as painful.

55fossil · « **Reply #19 on:** January 27, 2017, 06:54:43 AM »

I have started wearing the cheapy blue gloves from Harbor Freight. The size that fits your hands really tight is what I go with. It also helps keep my hands from drying out and blistering in the winter, Hangnails, aaargh. Takes a bit to adjust to wearing the gloves but I have fingerprints again, oops.

neal

Jhon P · « **Reply #20 on:** January 27, 2017, 07:59:44 AM »

Dops for me. I have ground off enough skin and nails. I find that I have much better control and much more speed. I did give up on the dog wax. If the water was cold it would release I now use hot glue, the colder it get the better it holds. I tried the super glue but it was too much trouble to get it off.

erichK · « **Reply #21 on:** January 29, 2017, 08:13:47 AM »

As Eli Wallach said in "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" "Fingernails?! FINGERNAILS; I don need no stinkinnn' fingernails!!!"

I have yet to learn how to use a dopstick. After only a few weeks I've gotten much better about self grinding be will still use medical tap on thumb and index fingers - but not on the tips. On the fingernail area of thumb and index I will use Starbond. Seems to work out okay for me.

News:

Author Topic: Fingernails (Read 6600 times)

MrsWTownsend

MrsWTownsend