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Rock Art => Tutorials for the Rock Art Area => Topic started by: olgguy on August 08, 2016, 11:07:46 AM

Title: Stablizing and crack filling
Post by: olgguy on August 08, 2016, 11:07:46 AM
 Are you familiar with that crumbly form of Chrysocolla? I make some of my casting equipment do double duty. Starting with "Opticon" part "A" heated to 150 degrees on a hotplate I submerge the stone in a glass jar and bring it up to temp. Then move the jar to vacuum chamber for 10 minuets or bubbling mostly stops. Then move jar to heated Wax Injector and apply air pressure to about 35 Lbs. for another 10 min. When done I remove the stone and wipe it off. Then give the stone a coating of Part "B" hardener and let it set for about 10 min. and wipe again. Leave for 24 hrs. and finish polish. My next batch I will be using HXTAL, the Opticon discolors too much.
Title: Re: Stablizing and crack filling
Post by: Jhon P on August 08, 2016, 01:02:01 PM
You may check into bond optic. Very much like hxtal but the cost is a lot less.
If you heat the hxtal it will speed up the set up time but should have plenary of time to vacuum it
Title: Re: Stablizing and crack filling
Post by: PhilNM on August 08, 2016, 02:27:04 PM
Thanks. Got any links for bond optic?   Colliodal silica powder is getting hard to find.
Title: Re: Stablizing and crack filling
Post by: Slabbercabber on August 08, 2016, 03:57:58 PM
Now that's some pretty material.
Title: Re: Stablizing and crack filling
Post by: olgguy on August 08, 2016, 04:41:33 PM
It is hard to find useable areas because of all the matrix.
Title: Re: Stablizing and crack filling
Post by: Jhon P on August 08, 2016, 05:12:18 PM
highland park lapidary,  hplapidary.com  I am getting ready to order the 12 oz kit for $40.00   I think I paid $50.00 for 4 oz of hxtal last time I bought it. three times the amount for less money.
Title: Re: Stablizing and crack filling
Post by: kent on August 09, 2016, 07:53:26 AM
PhilNM...

"Colliodal silica powder is getting hard to find"..... How are you using this ? Its widely used in the marine industry for thickening epoxy to prevent sagging during glue ups. Easy to find also

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/124528/System-3-Silica-Thick-5Qt.aspx?gclid=Cj0KEQjw_qW9BRCcv-Xc5Jn-26gBEiQAM-iJhQlVPQktIX8_gPNAc9xbGUXvBkScb5LEesqOfa8L4mQaAlq38P8HAQ
Title: Re: Stablizing and crack filling
Post by: PhilNM on August 09, 2016, 10:13:37 AM
Cool! Thanks for the link. I use it to stabilize phosphate family stones.