sleuthgal
starting to shine!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 46
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Post by sleuthgal on Mar 6, 2011 10:34:53 GMT -5
Does anyone have a good remedy for stabilizing the softer sandy matrix of boulder opal. I have some stuff that has great fire running throught it, but I'm concerned when I get ready to cut it or even cab it, that it will just crumbled away to nothing.
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jcinpc
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2009
Posts: 722
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Post by jcinpc on Mar 6, 2011 15:10:46 GMT -5
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sleuthgal
starting to shine!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 46
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Post by sleuthgal on Mar 7, 2011 0:03:56 GMT -5
Thanks, I was able to get a hold of gene, unfortunately he does not do much stabilizing, and not really sure what to use other than superglue.
Anyone out there use superglue? on the softstuff.
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Post by catmandewe on Mar 7, 2011 0:38:19 GMT -5
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Mar 7, 2011 8:03:41 GMT -5
You can use Opticon, but it's a process unlike superglue, using low heat and time. Don't skimp on the directions. Originally for healing/sealing fractures.
If you can safely preform the piece, it will help...otherwise you may have to do the process several times during the cabbing (as you grind away the treated surface).
If this is for resale, state that it has been treated.
Dr Joe
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Post by deb193redux on Mar 7, 2011 8:21:18 GMT -5
if there are no obvious fractures, Hxtal may offer better penetration.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Mar 7, 2011 11:29:17 GMT -5
I've done the superglue route. Works surprisingly well. PM me if you want more details.
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sleuthgal
starting to shine!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 46
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Post by sleuthgal on Mar 7, 2011 13:06:16 GMT -5
;D Thanks everyone for your great input, much appreciated.
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Post by phil on Mar 7, 2011 13:47:16 GMT -5
if there are no obvious fractures, Hxtal may offer better penetration. What is Hxtal? I've never heard of it. How (well) does it work? Where do you get it? Is it just for cracks or will it penetrate and harden the softer parts too? Thanks! Phil
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nuevomundo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2010
Posts: 222
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Post by nuevomundo on Mar 7, 2011 14:33:27 GMT -5
The main drawback to Hxtal is its price. Especially for stones that have a porous matriz and will absorb a lot of liquid, as is (sometimes) the case with boulder opal. Using a thin super glue or water glass would be far more economical if your stone is absorbent.
Phil, Hxtal is a 2-part epoxy-like material. Apparently very good and hi-tech, but also not cheap.
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nuevomundo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2010
Posts: 222
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Post by nuevomundo on Mar 7, 2011 14:36:14 GMT -5
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sleuthgal
starting to shine!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 46
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Post by sleuthgal on Mar 7, 2011 20:03:19 GMT -5
Wow Hxtal is EXPENSIVE!! ($50-$1,100) so how many stones will the least amount ($50.00) stabilize? and how is it applied, do you dip it, or brush it on. Also, how long is curing time?
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Post by deb193redux on Mar 7, 2011 20:25:07 GMT -5
the curing time is almost a week, so it has time to penetrate.
I got a 60gram kit (approx 4oz) for $30. The same money will get you 8oz kit of Opticon, but it gets real sticky within 30 minutes, and penetration into cracks is OK, but not as good into porespace or soft material.
A guy who makes knife scales posted a thread on another board where he applied it to a large crack in dino bone rough, then slabbed, then applied it to the slab, then after grinding applied it to some empty cells that were revealed. The finished knife scales looked great.
I have not used mine yet. I want to pick a slab with pits and cracks across the whole slab, cut it in three, then do a comparison of superglue, OptiCon, and Hxtal. Not sure when I will get it done though.
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sleuthgal
starting to shine!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 46
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Post by sleuthgal on Mar 7, 2011 20:43:11 GMT -5
Wow, I will definitely tune in for that post regarding the comparison of the superglue, opticon and hxtal. thanks again for the input
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