What is that "HXTAL" and where do you get some?
Sorry for the late reply. If you go to
www.hisglassworks.com they sell it and also have videos on it's use. Oh and you won't need much. I bought a 1/2 lb set several years ago and I still have half left as I only need it on rare occasions. Hxtal is a 2 part epoxy that is used to fix museum crystal. It is amazing to fix small fractures and especially good for porous material like Dino Bone. They also sell a very inexpensive gram scale that works great. Michael Hoover in the Knife forum was where I learned about Hxtal.
hxtal can be considered expensive but if it can bring an average Dino bone to top grade it is well worth it. I have even used it on opal fractures and it worked great. Obviously the best idea is top grade material but if you have a piece to save it is well worth it.
Basics are:
Many times cabs like Nipomo Sagenite that have notorious issues with the Sagenite tubes taking in polish at final stage - simply grind stone to 600 and then use the Hxtal to seal the tubes before continuing. I know some people put the Hxtal in a reservoir and then immerse the stone to be sealed. Some people use vacuum and some use pressure to move the Hxtal inside the stone. I use Vacuum with a simple jar and a shop vac but not always. Most times I simply either coat the stone and make a dam around the problem area with plasticine clay and then put the Hxtal in the Dam to keep the Hxtal from coming off the area in need of it.
1) Clean the items to be stabilized well. I use acetone and then rinse and let dry till fully dry
2) you MUST mix very accurately - (hence digital gram scale)
3) Either be careful mixing to not introduce air bubbles or use light vacuum to draw them out of the Hxtal. On a slab with a fracture I don't bother with Vacuum
3) put under low heat - most people just use a 100 watt light bulb in an enclosure I do for a day and a half.
4) Leave it to fully cure for maybe a week - this is probably over kill if you use the heat as I think it cures in 24 to 48 hours under heat. I prefer to let it sit to be sure.
Here is a post from the old forum - not sure if the picture links are good anymore.