julieooly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2018
Posts: 714
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Post by julieooly on Jan 8, 2019 13:24:02 GMT -5
What do ya'll use to dop tiny stones with? I'm using green wax and love the way it works. For sticks I just use cut dowel. Need something smaller that will fit inside the underline.
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Post by opalpyrexia on Jan 8, 2019 14:05:14 GMT -5
I use 1/8" brass rod and superglue. When finished, I remove the cab by heating the brass rod with a butane torch about 1/2" or so from the cab, and pulling it off about 5-10 seconds later.
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Post by Pat on Jan 8, 2019 14:39:45 GMT -5
On the rare occasions that I cab a tiny rock, I use a flat-head nail, and Locktite Gel. Remove with mini-butane torch aimed at the nail on a soldering brick. Cab will slide off onto workbench. Protect the area so it doesn't roll off the work bench and onto the concrete floor!
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julieooly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2018
Posts: 714
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Post by julieooly on Jan 8, 2019 17:23:53 GMT -5
Can I use wax and nails? This is my small one for the week. It looks to be a similar size
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Post by Pat on Jan 8, 2019 17:43:38 GMT -5
I’ve never used wax, but I would think so. Hope the wax dippers chime in here.
Facets use wax on metal.
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Post by Pat on Jan 8, 2019 17:44:14 GMT -5
I’ve never used wax, but I would think so. Hope the wax dippers chime in here.
Facets use wax on metal.
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fishnpinball
Cave Dweller
So much to learn, so little time
Member since March 2017
Posts: 1,491
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Post by fishnpinball on Jan 8, 2019 17:46:24 GMT -5
Wax should be fine on something that size.
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Post by Peruano on Jan 8, 2019 18:21:53 GMT -5
Depends on how warm your work area is. Wax does not like the cold of my shop. It pops off too easily in the cool weather. Even an overnight dip in temp will make the stone more likely to release even after it warms a bit.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 8, 2019 19:25:11 GMT -5
You can use wax if you want. You can also use wood glue. I think superglue (gel) is easier on really tiny ones, though.
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mossyrockhound
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,278
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Post by mossyrockhound on Jan 8, 2019 20:00:27 GMT -5
I use super glue on a nail head. I make sure the nail is (almost) perfectly flat by lapping the head. Are you going to save the "10" on your cab?
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Post by Pat on Jan 8, 2019 20:06:41 GMT -5
Yes, must save that 10!!
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 8, 2019 20:17:22 GMT -5
Dang, how could I have missed the 10? Definitely have to save that. Looks like a buff top cab is in order.
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victor1941
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2011
Posts: 1,978
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Post by victor1941 on Jan 8, 2019 21:13:23 GMT -5
The 10 is a great find!
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rads
spending too much on rocks
Making clay each day!
Member since April 2018
Posts: 318
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Post by rads on Jan 9, 2019 9:19:20 GMT -5
A drop of super glue on a golf tee and then sprinkle baking soda on the wet glue. Try using baking soda with super glue and you will love the results, always glue first... then cover the glue with baking soda (knock the loose BS off into a container and reuse). Remove by heating on a metal dop or with acetone with wood dops.
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hummingbirdstones2
fully equipped rock polisher
Vince A., 1958-2023
Member since August 2018
Posts: 1,461
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Jan 9, 2019 9:38:02 GMT -5
I like super-glue too, because it's quick and can be used with small finishing nails. If you ever cut anything really small, sometimes the wax is too bulky for my liking.
Pre-drill a hole in the end of a dowel and drive the nail into the hole to make a good handle.
If your glue softens up from being wet for too long you can coat it with nail polish before you start cutting.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 9, 2019 10:11:20 GMT -5
julieooly Pm minerken and get yourself one of his metal dops. He will work with you for a dop fit for your hand and your liking. You won't regret it. They are inexpensive and you can dop real small stones. Check out this thread
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bmw2003
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2018
Posts: 14
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Post by bmw2003 on Jan 9, 2019 14:01:32 GMT -5
Black wax and a golf tee with the point cut off with some old wire cutters works best for me. Also I use a short nail plugged into a cork to help form and compress the wax around the joint between the stone and golf tee. If the nail head gets sticky, I just use a little water, and that will stop the wax from your clinging to the nail. Black wax seems to have more shellac and has a higher melt temp than green wax.
I still see people trying to wet their fingers to squeeze the wax to make the bond. Too much pain. I heat the stones (low temperature) on a second hand thrift store iron which helps to bond the wax to the stone. I use tongs to remove the stone from the iron.
To get the best possible round stones, put the end of the tee in either a drill or flex shaft bit, and slowly conjoin the stone to your wheel. Slow RPM 's on your drill or flex shaft works best. Harbor Freight has some really cheap cordless drills for this if your flex shaft is mounted.
Freezing your finished pieces, and then gently tapping the stone with a kitchen knife pops the stone off. Cleaning the residual wax with some acetone works best .
I tried epoxy and super glue once or twice. Did not have a good experience with trying to make the stone retain proper adhesion to the nail. Even used accelerator. To each his own i guess.
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rivarat
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 140
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Post by rivarat on Jan 9, 2019 20:36:14 GMT -5
I prefer super glue on the head of a nail, sometimes epoxy. Superglue worked for these I did yesterday, small ones are 6mm
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 9, 2019 21:00:53 GMT -5
I prefer super glue on the head of a nail, sometimes epoxy. Superglue worked for these I did yesterday, small ones are 6mm Those are really nice! Is that Aussie dendritic opal?
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rivarat
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 140
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Post by rivarat on Jan 9, 2019 22:35:17 GMT -5
I prefer super glue on the head of a nail, sometimes epoxy. Superglue worked for these I did yesterday, small ones are 6mm Those are really nice! Is that Aussie dendritic opal? Yep - Aussie dendritic opal Also doing a sets in blue lace agate and cathedral agate.
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