Cool rocks. Am jealous that someone, can have such potential in their local stone. We get tired of looking at limestone and the occasional crinoid. >:D

Mark, I just use Elmers, with a big c clamp or heavy rubber bands holding rock to the wood. I keep a dish pan of water and a bottle of dawn next to my saw, to wash the slabs, and just toss the wood and whatever rock is left into the water. Overnight  everything usually comes loose, but ocassionally the clamped ones are stubborn. On the odd shaped ones (that is without a good flat side) get the wood sticking good then slowly fill in the gaps. I am now going back through my end cuts and getting the most out of them, especially the morrisonite and etc.
Have tried the plaster but can't stand the mess it makes with my oil.
As far as the concrete goes, I am lab guy for ready mix company, and by the end of the day have seen more concrete than I care to look.  ;)

Can't wait to see the finished product!

Wow, what a great idea. How do you get all of the sludge out that is stuck to everything?

Dave

The first and third, sorta like the chert nodules in our limestone, here in Northwest Arkansas. There is even some rust staining, involved on what few crystal structures we see. Today, out on a job, picked up a blockish piece of light grey (same color as your pieces), with darker polka dots that I thought might slab nicely. Keep your nose down, and keep picking up those rocks! Thats the fun of it all.

Dave

Good looking rock, have almost bought some but was not so sure if it was solid.
Can't wait to see your cabs!

Dave

Thanks Gary, Have considered that at times and should really spend more time with that idea.

Dave

Welcome! Am also new here, and am jealous of you getting to take silversmith classes.
Will have to learn the har way!
Dave

Can you scratch it with a knife blade? If you can it is not a quartz or harder.

Dave

Was just reading Bob's topic on selecting his shape for cabs and the rough rock is what I look forward to being surprised. I can look at a rock for months trying how to get the best from, how to avoid the fractures, how to clamp with out slippage, etc.
Was in the chair at the dentist the other day and where was my mind, on rocks, with the saw, hopeful field trips, I guess just a good way to avoid somebodies hands in your mouth.
Lately have been gluing odd shages, and end cuts to assorted widths of wood, to try and get best from our rocks.
Any other ideas out there about how to slab and get your best from the oddball shapes?
 Some you just know when you pick them up and others strain what brain is left after too many long work days.

Dvae

Also, the first cab. OH MY

Very intriguing with synthetic leather. Our first machine was an all-in wonder went thru 4 motors the first. It sits in the garage. Broke down and bought an Ameritool eight inch flat lapping machine, it's only draw back was the constant changing of discs.
Then this past year we did some volunteer work with the disabled, on a donated Genie. and was amazed at the speed you can turn out a cab. We now own a Genie, that is what my wife wanted for our anniversary. Have had troble with softer stones and have wanting to try zam on a double felt pad. An Ameritool dealer showed this at our fall swap last year. Anyway, too many rocks, and not enough hours in the day. Too many fishing lures also.

Dave

Wonderful!!!!

Thanks,
It's Dave and Charlotte. As soon as I can figure out how to take good pics, we will post them.

Been picking up rocks for fifty or so years. I keep the slab saw going. My wife and I both cab, but she is better (more patience) and she wire wraps.

Dave