Mudshark
fully equipped rock polisher
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,083
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Post by Mudshark on Nov 26, 2009 16:55:07 GMT -5
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. While the turkey was roasting I had some time to put this dop wax melter together. Just a simple hardwood box with an aluminum top. The top measures 7 x 9 inches. Inside is a porcelain socket with a 75 watt bulb controlled by a dimmer switch. The 12 gauge cord is overkill but it was available. I have never used dop wax before so any advice is appreciated. I've been using super glue with good results but I always seem to run out when I need it most. I ordered some 150 degree wax and as you can see I managed to get it right on so I marked the spot on the dial. With the dial at full it got up to about 170 degrees. I was planning on using tin cans to melt the wax in. If you have any tips or ways to improve this set up please let me know. Thanks for looking Mike     |
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Post by rockmanken on Nov 27, 2009 10:35:51 GMT -5
Looks great Mike. Now if you will change the aluminum to to flue tin and put an indention in it(about 2" circle) to hold the wax and then you can put your stones around the indention to warm them too.
Ken
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NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Nov 27, 2009 23:34:02 GMT -5
Nice dop station Mike!
Maybe a cleaned tuna can would work to melt the wax in. The stones can still be placed around it.
I've been using super glue too, and sometimes it really angers me. I think I just don't wait long enough for the glue to fully cure.
Nate
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Post by Toad on Dec 14, 2009 8:15:47 GMT -5
Very nice work.
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uneekarts
starting to shine!
Member since December 2008
Posts: 42
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Post by uneekarts on Dec 14, 2009 9:58:46 GMT -5
Looks like a fine setup to me. Did you just guess at 75 watts or was there method to the madness?
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number21
having dreams about rocks
Member since November 2009
Posts: 72
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Post by number21 on Dec 14, 2009 19:26:45 GMT -5
I been looking at the commercial machines and your machine since you posted it. One of those old stamped steel ash trays looks like it would look good for a melting pot and then the stone could sit on the ledge.
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Mudshark
fully equipped rock polisher
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,083
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Post by Mudshark on Dec 15, 2009 17:08:20 GMT -5
Uneekarts-I started out with a 75 watt bulb but it took about a half hour to melt green wax so I went to 100 watts and it cut it down to fifteen mins. in my unheated shop.
Number 21-I found a couple tops to indoor guardrail that are like steel ashtrays.I cut out a square hole in the top and they drop into the hole.There is room for about a dozen cabs along the edge.
I've made a few cabs with wax dopped stones and haven't had any fall off yet.And they are easier to remove from the stick than the ones I dopped with super glue.
Mike
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chadman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 106
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Post by chadman on Dec 15, 2009 20:30:33 GMT -5
Nice dop heater. I have one of those coffee cup hot plates to keep coffee warm. I thought about trying that.
I could use a wax dop tutorial if anyone knows of one they like. I use super glue. The stones fall off when I used wax so I gave up and went to super glue early on. Super glue is hard to remove.
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Dec 16, 2009 22:17:25 GMT -5
Uneekarts-I started out with a 75 watt bulb but it took about a half hour to melt green wax so I went to 100 watts and it cut it down to fifteen mins. in my unheated shop. Number 21-I found a couple tops to indoor guardrail that are like steel ashtrays.I cut out a square hole in the top and they drop into the hole.There is room for about a dozen cabs along the edge. I've made a few cabs with wax dopped stones and haven't had any fall off yet.And they are easier to remove from the stick than the ones I dopped with super glue. Mike Yeah that super glue is a beeotch to remove sometimes. I've even had the glue pull tiny pits in the top of the cab after working the back side, and that really burns my back side!  Thanks for letting us know how well it works. I think it's time I invest in some wax! Nate |
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Post by Rockoonz on Dec 16, 2009 22:54:38 GMT -5
I use epoxy, the cheap harbor freight stuff and my dop sticks are blunted nails and some aluminum dops I made on a lathe. When it's time to remove I heat the dop stick and it pops right off. If I immediately scrape it with a razor blade it comes right off of the rock too. I also use alcohol prep pads to wipe all oils from the stone right before dopping.
Lee
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jcinpc
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2009
Posts: 722
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Post by jcinpc on Dec 29, 2009 0:25:24 GMT -5
this is what I use and works as good as anything else I have see, Just a plain coffee can I beat the bottom side into a little bowl and put my cabs on the edge. I put the can over the bulb sits right on it.  |
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