timloco
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2012
Posts: 545
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Post by timloco on Jul 19, 2018 12:32:52 GMT -5
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Post by HankRocks on Jul 19, 2018 12:48:45 GMT -5
I have been gluing small rocks to 3 inch pieces of 2X4's. Have cut way over a 100 by now with no glue failures. It does take about 3 days of soaking in soapy water to loosen the end piece from the 2X4. To facilitate the loosening process I place two round tooth picks on top of the 2X4 and then glue it. My theory is the water can penetrate the glue better with the gap created by the toothpicks and they allow a bit more glue contact for some of the less flat bottomed rocks.
I use Interior rated Wood Glue which I allow to dry a minimum of 4 days before cutting, usually more with my sporadic cutting schedule. One set is ready for cutting, the next set is getting glued.
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timloco
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2012
Posts: 545
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Post by timloco on Jul 19, 2018 12:56:59 GMT -5
I have been gluing small rocks to 3 inch pieces of 2X4's. Have cut way over a 100 by now with no glue failures. It does take about 3 days of soaking in soapy water to loosen the end piece from the 2X4. To facilitate the loosening process I place two round tooth picks on top of the 2X4 and then glue it. My theory is the water can penetrate the glue better with the gap created by the toothpicks and they allow a bit more glue contact for some of the less flat bottomed rocks. I use Interior rated Wood Glue which I allow to dry a minimum of 4 days before cutting, usually more with my sporadic cutting schedule. One set is ready for cutting, the next set is getting glued. Yup I'm gonna try that way also. I like this one because I can do a lot at once even though you don't get that fine control over what part of the rock gets slabbed in what way, it's kind of a crap shoot. I have some really nice labradorite that I think would work really well for the wood gluing thing so I can get just the right crystal face cut. I'b be curious to see some pictures of this method in action. |
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Post by HankRocks on Jul 19, 2018 13:08:06 GMT -5
t@timloco. Dang I just glued some this morning. Let me line up another one and get some pictures. It may wait a day as we have an early dinner to go to. With the glue, make sure you allow 4 days or more for drying. The instructions on the glue say 24 hours, but I can pry a rock off by hand at the 1 and two day mark so I always go longer. better safe than sorry.
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Jul 19, 2018 13:53:06 GMT -5
timloco - I remember that plaster method from when I was a kid. The thing I don't like about it the loss of control on the cut orientation. Much of what I cut needs careful consideration on where the cut is made. I glue nub ends & odd shapes onto 3" square pieces of granite countertop. I use it instead of wood so I can reuse the piece over & over. Wood isn't reliable after soaking up saw oil. Lynn
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timloco
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2012
Posts: 545
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Post by timloco on Jul 19, 2018 17:41:48 GMT -5
timloco - I remember that plaster method from when I was a kid. The thing I don't like about it the loss of control on the cut orientation. Much of what I cut needs careful consideration on where the cut is made. I glue nub ends & odd shapes onto 3" square pieces of granite countertop. I use it instead of wood so I can reuse the piece over & over. Wood isn't reliable after soaking up saw oil. Lynn How do you orient the piece so it cuts like you want it to, do you just glop a bunch of glue? What kind of glue do you use? |
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Jul 19, 2018 19:08:36 GMT -5
I use Water Glass (Sodium Silicate).
I use rolled up tissues to prop the rock in the desired position and dribble water glass where it touches the granite block.
After it has dried initially I place more tissues in strategic spots to support the rock, and dribble more water glass.
The tissues soak it up & create a solid support.
It usually takes a few applications for weird shaped rocks.
Lynn
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timloco
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2012
Posts: 545
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Post by timloco on Jul 20, 2018 11:14:33 GMT -5
I use Water Glass (Sodium Silicate). I use rolled up tissues to prop the rock in the desired position and dribble water glass where it touches the granite block. After it has dried initially I place more tissues in strategic spots to support the rock, and dribble more water glass. The tissues soak it up & create a solid support. It usually takes a few applications for weird shaped rocks. Lynn I've never used Water Glass before, does it dissolve in water to get it off the tile? Do you just soak it? |
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Jul 20, 2018 11:59:59 GMT -5
Water glass takes a day or several to dissolve in water, especially if it's a saw cut up against the granite. It's hard for the water to get in between & dissolve it.
Lynn
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timloco
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2012
Posts: 545
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Post by timloco on Jul 21, 2018 15:25:27 GMT -5
Cool! I've got some labradorite that needs some precision slabbing... I've tried different ways in the past like shaving a platform off on one side so it sticks in the clamp right but that one is risky and not always as accurate as I'd like. another way I tried is cradling the rock in a lump of thermoplastic which does work but it's expensive and the oil breaks it down. I suppose plaster would work ok also but you have to continually re-position it after a couple three slabs and making plaster every time would be a pain. I like the idea of cheap-ish waterglass and tissues.
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