wirerapper
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2006
Posts: 6
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Post by wirerapper on Jun 30, 2006 13:19:23 GMT -5
I have been having a problem getting the dop sticks (dowel rod) to stick. When I was working inside (air conditioned) I had no problem. I am now outside in a uninsulated (and holey) building. Could damp/warm/etc conditions have anything to do with it?
Also I am now using a 1/4 lb stick I was given, of unknown age. Can wax go bad?
Wax usually sticks to both the dowel and the stone, but they break apart leaving pieces on both.
Some are pretty smooth - should I rough up the back?
Any suggestions?
Bob G
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Post by sandsman1 on Jun 30, 2006 13:35:09 GMT -5
i havent done much dopping but have you tried warming up the stone also it might help it stick better if its humid that will also dry the stones surface
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Post by krazydiamond on Jun 30, 2006 13:56:11 GMT -5
i'm not sure dop wax can go bad unless you've used it over and over and get rock powder, etc. mixed in it....
what kind of dop pot are you using, Bob? i have an electric pot and i use aluminum sticks. i first prepare the stick by getting wax on it and mashing it flat against a piece of metal. then i warm the stone to where a little piece of wax melts on the surface i want to dop to, then i take my prepared stick and dip it into the wax again, to get a little more wax on it and then jam it onto the hot stone, lifting it off the hot surface and back onto the metal. i find having a cool dish of water nearby helps cool the fingers in this process.
when i'm done grinding and polishing, i set the sticks and stone in the freezer for at least 20 minutes. then one by one take them out and hold the stone face into the palm of my hand. the stone heats faster then the dop stick and the moisture/condensation should release the stone from the wax.
ok, that doesn't happen perfectly each time and sometimes i have to take a knife to scrape off any excess.
hope this helps.
KD
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Post by gemkoi on Jun 30, 2006 14:33:19 GMT -5
I am a frim believer in dop wax as a usless add on to lapidary, cabochon cutting. Though i perfer using wax when faceting, never for cabochon cutting unless the stone is too small to hold by hand. But then i just use super glue or epoxy, and never wax. I always experince the more humid the air is, the longer it takes to not only heat the wax and stone, but long cooling time for setting. Becasue if you use wax and its not set, pop goes the cabochon within the frist rough stages. KD makes an important point, he using metal dops, not wooden ones. Not only will metal carry the heat better and provide a true even heating, it doesnt contain moisture like wood will.
The last time i used dop wax was over 4 years ago. And i never hav gone back becasue
A-its messy, and can burn you
b-theres a learning curve
c-its time consumming
d-50/50 when it comes to failures, or problems getting the wax off as KD notes sometimes.
I have an old dop pot that i will give away to anyone wanting to pay the shipping. Its the rascal kind i believe, with a copper bowl you can replace.
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Showtime
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2005
Posts: 284
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Post by Showtime on Jun 30, 2006 15:24:24 GMT -5
wax can go bad you should never let it warm for over 3 hours at a time it breaks down the wax and it will not stick found this out after leaving my dop pot on overnight...
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,494
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Post by Sabre52 on Jun 30, 2006 16:25:23 GMT -5
I still use dop wax and have heard it can go bad with repeated reuse or as Showtime has mentioned, with too much heating that apparently breaks down the adhesive material. The stone must be very clean and oil free. I usually clean mine with alcohol before I dop and the stone should be hot. I heat mine on the little ledge right on my dop pot. And I agree with all of Shains negative points too. Man I burn my fingers all the time! *L*...mel
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Post by krazydiamond on Jun 30, 2006 18:06:56 GMT -5
Yo Shainer, i am not a HE. lol, KD KD makes an important point, he using metal dops, not wooden ones. Not only will metal carry the heat better and provide a true even heating, it doesnt contain moisture like wood will. |
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wirerapper
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2006
Posts: 6
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Post by wirerapper on Jul 1, 2006 9:17:08 GMT -5
I think the high humidity we have right now is the problem. Hmmm - wonder if my wife will let me bring my stuff into the house and take over the kitchen?
Bob
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Post by gemkoi on Jul 1, 2006 13:03:31 GMT -5
sorry KD, my bad.
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