[Rockhounds] Re: grinding specimens for cabs, ...What coating to keep bri...

[VevaBailey at aol.com]

Hi Kevin,
Opticon is the best thing to use. 
Use it the way it says on the can, but I was advised by my lapidary  
instructor to add more catalyst than recommended. 
I believe the instructions say to soak over night in the Opticon and then  
remove stones put the excess Opticon into another container and add catalyst  
pour over the stones again let set for a while then bake.  
Bake in an oven at 50 degrees and after 30 minutes turn up the temp another  
50 degrees, continue this baking method until your reach 250 degrees, bake for 
 30 minutes and then start turning down the heat 50 degrees at a time until 
you  reach your starting point.
I usually let the stones set over night before trying to work them. 
Charolite is done the same way. And turquoise can be worked that way too. 
It has been 5 years since I used this product but it really worked for me. 
I have a large slice of Charolite that I almost lost due to crumbling but  
managed to salvage most of it by using Opticon. 
If there is anything else I can help you with, let me know.
 
Veva B.
 
 
 
 
In a message dated 12/1/2008 4:13:44 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
Paintricks at aol.com writes:

Hello,
I just acquired a cabbing machine and am learning  to work  material.  While 
some material is easy to cut and  polish(silica material),  some comes apart, 
like Malachite.
What's a good coating to prep material like this to keep it together   when 
working with smaller or thinner  pieces?
Thanks,
Kevin
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