Lapidaryforum.net
Rock Art => Cabochons, Intarsias, Cameos => Topic started by: Bluetangclan on November 17, 2016, 04:51:29 AM
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Hello, going to be trying something I have seen pics of but haven't tried myself. In itself this is prep for something I plan on later. What I want to do is take a red rough cut smooth and flatten one side, and glue it to the smooth side of a yellow rough and then cab it out to a pendant.
a: This sounds pretty easy to me provided I get smooth joining sides. Am I right?
B: What sort of glue should I use. For my limited jewelry work I have been using that E6000 stuff, will that make a suitable bond? Should I use a two part epoxy? If so, what brand?
C: For the red stone, I was thinking carnelian, any better ideas that aren't super expensive per slab?
D: For the yellow stone, I have no clue. Suggestions on a good yellow.
Thanks
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Don't use E6000. I'll have to look up what to use, but its not E6000 (which is flexible, and thick compared to what you need).
I use a cyanoacrylate which is sold by HobbyProz LLC. It comes in a purple/pink bottle and is described as extra thick (cures in 10-25 seconds). I typically use if for filling cracks and or pits in cabs, but it is sturdy enough for doublets etc. There are many formulations of the cyanoacrylates so trying to match characteristics would work if you can't find this particular product.
Carnelian is somewhat translucent and hence may or may not be what you want. When I think of red stones I think of the red jaspers (lots of iron residues create that red). Yellows are a bit more limiting. You can find yellowish limonite, but thinking of pure yellows without other colors would be harder. Search and you will find the right combination.
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I do a lot of assembled cabs and I use only Epoxy 330. I flatten the surfaces down to 400 grit using a sheet of glass and tumbling grit. Don't use the 5 minute stuff because it sets too fast and you don't have the time to get all the bubbles out before it starts to set. The cyanoacrylate adhesives set too fast also.
Bob
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I also use the Epoxy 330 with fantastic results. The bonds are seamless, water-clear and seem to be almost stronger than the rocks themselves. I usually take the faces I plan to bond together down to my 280 grit soft wheel before bonding. But to be honest I don't think it really matters a whole lot...this stuff loves to set up strong and clean on any face.
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Marines or biker pendant?
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Me? My household in the SCA has colors of red with a yellow stripe in the middle. Ill have to paint on a black sword in the yellow. I am wondering if I can find some bumblebee jasper that might have the color pattern I need.
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Greetings. I've recently joined lapidary forum, and have been looking through old postings just to see what others are doing. Gorgeous work out there. What I'm replying to however is you listed yourself as and SCA household. Me too. My lapidary work has been more mainstream as of late, but also go by Brenna of Dragon'smere. Just saying hello.
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my cousins are in the SCA Washington State.
Bunch of goofballs that bunch lol
Fun people.
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I have several laps I use, but for this job I use a fine sintered lap I bought from the US..I think inland lapidary. Make sure that you flatten the edge and make sure it is sitting 90 degrees to your face...if you want the sort of look in my pic (Noreena jasper with obsidian).
I use several different glues, depending on the translucency of the stones. For translucent stones I use UV glue with my light system I use for glueing opal doublets.
For more opaque stones I use a two pack glue UHU super strength ...but there are other glues that are supposed to be just as good that I am sure you can get hold of.
I warm the stones slightly before I glue them. This makes the glue more runny and helps set it much more quickly.
I do a lot of this sort of work and work in commercial fume cabinets I have in my workshop...the glue smells pretty offensive and is not good to inhale, especially if you warm the stones ( not hot...just warm).
Also wear gloves..surgical gloves are best.
If you are only doing a few pieces, and have no ventilation don’t warm up the stones...just mix the glue very evenly and we’ll and gently and slowly rub the pieces together to work the glue layer as thin as possible and to get out any tiny air bubbles.
Wear protective eyewear and a mask with your gloves!
And leave it to set for at least 24 hours...4 days with UV glue.
Have fun,
Mike
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Nice one Mike!