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Post by krazydiamond on Mar 23, 2007 15:06:44 GMT -5
here is a strange one, i'm a little disappointed that even though i used Bear's trick for dopping with a druzy, i still got some darn wax in the crystals. i picked and delicately scraped, but can't seem to get it all...anybody have any tried and true wax removal tips?  here it is backlit:  i'm not sure what kind of agate this is...maybe laguna? it's prettier than the photo:  i got this next piece of slab from Bear and he'd written down what it was, of course, i've forgotten...it was a pretty name tho:  here is some of that petrified (fossilized) algae,weird stuuf:  and some crazy lace (what a surprise):  and finally a little "tropical teardrop" of agate:  thanks for looking!! KD |
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Post by stoner on Mar 23, 2007 15:49:06 GMT -5
All excellent cabs KD. They all have that spring-like pastel coloring, except the lace, but that looks like an Easter egg so it still falls in the spring genre. Get it...falls...spring...Oh well, great job.
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adrian65
Cave Dweller 
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on Mar 23, 2007 15:52:40 GMT -5
Very nice cabs! I like very much the first one and the fossil algae, that one looks great, like a dividing cell. You could call it "The Beginning of Life".
When could we see some nice wraps on them?
Adrian
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on Mar 23, 2007 15:53:47 GMT -5
PS. What's the Bear's Trick, if you don't mind?
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onewomanarmy
has rocks in the head
Carpe Silicis!
Member since January 2007
Posts: 645
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Post by onewomanarmy on Mar 23, 2007 15:53:59 GMT -5
Keeping in mind that I know nothing (and I mean NOTHING) about dopping or dopping wax - could you soak that in hot water to remove the wax on the crystals? I don't know if that would damage those formations or not...?
On another note - those are some beautiful pieces!
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Post by krazydiamond on Mar 23, 2007 16:25:17 GMT -5
adrian, my wrapping skills are non-existant.
Bear's trick: prior to dopping, fill the druzy with sugar. dop as normal, when all done wash and the sugar dissolves. reverse side, repeat process. in retrospect, i should have packed the sugar in harder.
army, hot water does make the wax soften, but not enough to "fall off" the crystals. but thanks for the suggeston and thank you all for the compliments.
KD
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Mar 23, 2007 17:25:00 GMT -5
For removing wax in vugs or cracks, try soaking in a little dish of rubbing alcohol, hit it with an old toothbrush, maybe a second dip in the alcohol and you should be clear of all wax residue.
Very nice looking stones, tough to pick a fave!
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Post by Cher on Mar 23, 2007 17:34:05 GMT -5
Oooooooo  KD those are beautiful, first and last being totally amazing! I'm wondering, could you boil that cab to get the wax out or do you think it's too fragile? |
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Mar 23, 2007 17:47:19 GMT -5
Thing about hot water is, well its hot water and wax doesn't dissolve in water, it just liquefies and if you're lucky, floats, but depending on the shape of where the wax is and surface tension issues, the wax might just stay put, but even if it does float off- when you pull the stone out some wax is bound to get re-deposited, not to mention messing up whatever you boiled it in- or the potential for thermal shock cracking the stone (not likely with agate like this, but very likely with opal)
Whereas with alcohol the wax actually does dissolve and effectively goes away
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Post by rockds on Mar 23, 2007 17:57:58 GMT -5
Those are nice KD, have you tried a lighter for the wax? I don't dop but I think a fire would do the trick. Great looking cabs BTW, all look very well done
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Post by Bikerrandy on Mar 23, 2007 18:35:28 GMT -5
Ooooo, the crazy lace is sweet! Those all look outstanding darlin!
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Mar 23, 2007 18:49:56 GMT -5
Those are nice KD, have you tried a lighter for the wax? I don't dop but I think a fire would do the trick. Based in my experiences I would discourage that approach, burning wax tends to be very "sooty", and if you think removing wax is tough, carbon soot is worse |
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Post by Jurrasic Jonje on Mar 23, 2007 19:03:21 GMT -5
Really nice job. Love the lace!!
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Mar 23, 2007 19:19:09 GMT -5
Love em' all KD! Great set of Springtime Cabs...and I agree with the fossilized algae...it does look like dividing cells; "Twins"
Steve
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Post by krazydiamond on Mar 23, 2007 20:21:01 GMT -5
HA! i thought about "roaching" the cab to melt (burn off) the wax but thought i'd get the soot instead.....at least i know you are all thinking about it!!!
thanks,
KD
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,496
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Post by Sabre52 on Mar 23, 2007 20:35:08 GMT -5
KD: Wonderful batch of cabs. I'm really fond of those fortification and banded agates from Chihuahua. That teardrop is a beaut! I think the purple agate you got from Bearcreek is Luna Agate ( the Mexican type, not the New Mexico stuff). Anyway, keep up the good work. Your cab pics are giving Ed some real competition....mel
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Post by Tweetiepy on Mar 23, 2007 22:13:24 GMT -5
KD, how do you add sugar into the hole if you have to heat up the stone so the wax sticks to it - doesn't the sugar melt? - How about freezing the stone & picking out the wax?
Great pieces BTW - the first piece is nice but the forgotte bear piece & the last one are my favorites
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Post by joe on Mar 24, 2007 8:48:19 GMT -5
Those are wonderful cabs KD!
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Post by krazydiamond on Mar 24, 2007 12:41:54 GMT -5
Tweet, the sugar has a much higher melting point than the wax. i put the stone on my heating surface, add the suger (note to self, tamp sugar and add as required), dop and any loose excess falls out after the dopping process, the remaining sugar that sticks into the crystals dissolves with water after you put the wax/stick and cab into the freezer to remove the wax from the cab.
KD
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Post by rockyraccoon on Mar 24, 2007 12:58:57 GMT -5
kd doc told me to put my stone in cold water, then bring it to just boiling, pour off the wax, take my rock out and let it cool on it's own. if the rock has inclusions it could go badly with the rock cracking but mine didn't.
kim
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