Thanks Roy for the deep dive in those techniques of dopping! Just want to state that I am probably biased, as I like wax very much, but have to add the following form my experience: When cutting Ethiopian opal, as it is porous and hydrophane, it is not advised to use components like supergrlue and the like, unless you want to clean any residue with i.e. acetone. In the case of Ethiopian opal it is advised to use wax, as it is much thicker and fromwhat I have experienced does not enter the stone. Wax once dopped on a stick can be used multiple times, which is not that costly in the long run imho. Stones can pop off of wax also, if the wax is not cleaned off cerium oxide and gets between the stone and wax or if it gets too much soot from the flame (candles). Therefore spirit is better when dopping wax on a stick (has also some soot, but much less than candles). That's all!
Really useful info. Thanks Roy! I prefer large candles to tea lights. More melting power and lasts longer. However, tea lights will get the job done. WRT dopping wax. Green wax doesn't do well in cool/cold temps. I use cold water to pop stones off green wax.
I actually use a spirit lamp normally but I had the ziplock bag with the tea light, tweezers and wax sitting around since the detailed wax video where I wanted to use the most basic heat source I could think of. Yeah I chuck my waxed stones in the freezer for a bit and they come off easy as.
Thanks Roy, awesome to know!! Dop wax still gives me trouble on occasion with a stone popping off, 1 in 10 stones maybe. I am gonna try the gel super glue, seen someone use it with good luck.
You'll get the hang of it. Eventually it'll become 1 in 1,000 stones pop off. Superglue can certainly work and is a bit easier to use. Only drawback is not being able to mold it to the stone and the fumes are a bit nasty.
I've done on for hot glue but for opal it is very risky as the temperature of the glue can cause the stone to fracture. Particularly with the high melt glue.
Believe it or not I haven't used a Dop on any of the Fire Agate or Ethiopian Opal these past few months perfecting your slow drying method. I've been carving by hand like Justin said his dad always did. Even the smaller ones. So when you seen all that work, 100% by hand. No shaping tricks at all, no vise nothing. All with the Stylo too.
If you really hate flying stones 5-min epoxy will make sure it never happens again. Stuff needs a long soak in water to remove off the stick at the end and I've never had one come off even pushing hard against a flat lap.
Ever tried a less sooty way of heating the wax? Like a little electric heating coil or a gas torch (one that chefs use to char meats, called "searzall")? That way you can probably even remelt and reuse your wax for longer because it doesn't get contaminated
Yeah I use a spirit lamp normally but I like to show the ultra basic heating method to show you can use literally any heat source. I do really hate dopping wax pots though. Never again for those. Very quick way to overcook the green wax unfortunately. I'll show people how to make their own spirit lamps actually. Bit DIY arts and crafts but works.
I’m with Mr Miyagi, Wax on, Wax off Danielson. Although I’m going to try 2 part apoxy as I’m using it to facet gem stones. Less burnt fingers I think 🤔.
superb tutorial. now, i'm going to be that guy who says "the dop stick should be already waxed". why? because one would assume that you would have already had at least one due to practicing applying wax when the materials were acquired. but also, you can buy pre-waxed dop sticks ('coughs' riley gunn....gratuitous plug) so hands down its the fastest. i have only tried wax and, as a snob, i am going to claim it is superior. likely the most environmentally friendly to manufacture and likely the least wasteful overall. when properly done it is superior for most australian opal. that aside, i need to try at least the supa (sic) glue method, especially as that is the preferred method for ethiopian opal. they are all good methods and super glue and resin may be easier from which to remove the stone. thanks again. can't wait for the next video
Haha I wont fight you on any of those. I actually forgot to mention the time it takes to use the wax drops dramatically if you pre-prepare your sticks... or buy them from 53Frogs himself. I can certainly understand why it is the fave of many if not most.
Good info, thanks. Is there also an environmental issue here, without knowing anything the wax sounds more sustainable (since reusable), but maybe none of these are problematic?
You dont want to breathe cyanoacrylate fumes and some epoxies can also gas a bit but not as bad. I do feel the wax is a nicer in terms of what it is made out of but many are not so "natural" these days. Kinda like everything out there now unfortunately.
Thanks Roy. I have been wondering about wax. If I have trouble holding stones, then a "handle" might be useful to me. What do I look for and where, please? Going all out now! I'm excited! Thanks again. 😊
@@RoysRocks Thank you Roy. I appreciate your help so much. I'm 63, so much to learn and try yet! Got a shoulder reconstruction and get my right bicep reattached. Two ponies to break to harness. (Nice change from both ankles, hands,ribs, etc). I have skills at stuff like that! LOL.
I still just use water for epoxy (cold overnight). Sometimes have to scrape off a little bit that hangs on. Superglue and water I find is off in no time. Even if the cutting takes a long time my superglue starts failing.
I did try tarzans grip and also a gorilla glue branded double sided tape if you check the playlist. I dont see why they wouldn't work. Gorilla glue itself may struggle but the other 2 for sure will work.
I have trouble with rolling the wax on the metal tray. The wax hardens as soon as I touch it to the tray. Do I need to warm the tray? Could I be using the wrong dopping wax?
@@OpalAuctions53Frogs thank you. I’ll try heating it longer. Last effort I only succeeded in giving myself a burn on my finger tip. Im sure there will be more of those in my future. LOL
Wax is total crap, epoxy slow and messy, and CA kinda toxic. Solution: golf tees, white glue. Dry overnight, coat with nail polish. Soak in water to remove, and reuse the tee.
Thanks Roy for the deep dive in those techniques of dopping! Just want to state that I am probably biased, as I like wax very much, but have to add the following form my experience:
When cutting Ethiopian opal, as it is porous and hydrophane, it is not advised to use components like supergrlue and the like, unless you want to clean any residue with i.e. acetone. In the case of Ethiopian opal it is advised to use wax, as it is much thicker and fromwhat I have experienced does not enter the stone.
Wax once dopped on a stick can be used multiple times, which is not that costly in the long run imho. Stones can pop off of wax also, if the wax is not cleaned off cerium oxide and gets between the stone and wax or if it gets too much soot from the flame (candles). Therefore spirit is better when dopping wax on a stick (has also some soot, but much less than candles). That's all!
All good points.
I use super glue and have had no trouble with it.
Now i have the wax can’t wait to try it.
Give it a go. You may be converted but superglue can certainly work.
Really useful info. Thanks Roy! I prefer large candles to tea lights. More melting power and lasts longer. However, tea lights will get the job done. WRT dopping wax. Green wax doesn't do well in cool/cold temps. I use cold water to pop stones off green wax.
I actually use a spirit lamp normally but I had the ziplock bag with the tea light, tweezers and wax sitting around since the detailed wax video where I wanted to use the most basic heat source I could think of.
Yeah I chuck my waxed stones in the freezer for a bit and they come off easy as.
Thanks Roy, awesome to know!! Dop wax still gives me trouble on occasion with a stone popping off, 1 in 10 stones maybe. I am gonna try the gel super glue, seen someone use it with good luck.
You'll get the hang of it. Eventually it'll become 1 in 1,000 stones pop off.
Superglue can certainly work and is a bit easier to use. Only drawback is not being able to mold it to the stone and the fumes are a bit nasty.
Thanks for the video Roy.
No worries Chad.
Awesome video bloke. Only had this conversation last week with a mate. You must have read our minds. Keep up with the great work Roy. 💯🙏🤠
No worries at all. You guys come to a conclusion before seeing this?
Super cool info in this one thanks for sharing!!!!
No worries. Good to see them all in one. I actually found it interesting as I've never timed it before.
@@RoysRocks I wonder if a pre prepared wax dop would be as quick as the super glue
@@offyarocka Almost. Warm stone and wax then press. Not too much work.
Great video Roy! Thanks for the crash course, very helpful.
No worries Keely. Hope it helps.
Very useful video.. thankyou ❤
No worries. Glad to help others choose what is right for them.
I saw a demo for this with hot glue. Sounds good for me and my Ryobi glue gun
I've done on for hot glue but for opal it is very risky as the temperature of the glue can cause the stone to fracture.
Particularly with the high melt glue.
Great video as always, useful information well explained 👍love the different methods
Thanks Krista. Hope it helps.
Believe it or not I haven't used a Dop on any of the Fire Agate or Ethiopian Opal these past few months perfecting your slow drying method. I've been carving by hand like Justin said his dad always did. Even the smaller ones. So when you seen all that work, 100% by hand. No shaping tricks at all, no vise nothing. All with the Stylo too.
Yeah I rarely dop for a carving.
Its mostly for cabs when you just wanna get them fingers out of the way to focus on a precise shape.
I've had too many stones pop off while trying to cut them. Will start using wax or Araldite I think.
If you really hate flying stones 5-min epoxy will make sure it never happens again. Stuff needs a long soak in water to remove off the stick at the end and I've never had one come off even pushing hard against a flat lap.
Ever tried a less sooty way of heating the wax? Like a little electric heating coil or a gas torch (one that chefs use to char meats, called "searzall")? That way you can probably even remelt and reuse your wax for longer because it doesn't get contaminated
And could also be a more gentle way to heat the stone
Yeah I use a spirit lamp normally but I like to show the ultra basic heating method to show you can use literally any heat source.
I do really hate dopping wax pots though. Never again for those. Very quick way to overcook the green wax unfortunately.
I'll show people how to make their own spirit lamps actually. Bit DIY arts and crafts but works.
I’m with Mr Miyagi, Wax on, Wax off Danielson. Although I’m going to try 2 part apoxy as I’m using it to facet gem stones. Less burnt fingers I think 🤔.
Haha I should have edited in a wax on wax off moment!!! Missed opportunity... next time.
superb tutorial.
now, i'm going to be that guy who says "the dop stick should be already waxed". why? because one would assume that you would have already had at least one due to practicing applying wax when the materials were acquired. but also, you can buy pre-waxed dop sticks ('coughs' riley gunn....gratuitous plug) so hands down its the fastest.
i have only tried wax and, as a snob, i am going to claim it is superior. likely the most environmentally friendly to manufacture and likely the least wasteful overall. when properly done it is superior for most australian opal.
that aside, i need to try at least the supa (sic) glue method, especially as that is the preferred method for ethiopian opal.
they are all good methods and super glue and resin may be easier from which to remove the stone.
thanks again. can't wait for the next video
Haha I wont fight you on any of those.
I actually forgot to mention the time it takes to use the wax drops dramatically if you pre-prepare your sticks... or buy them from 53Frogs himself.
I can certainly understand why it is the fave of many if not most.
Good info, thanks. Is there also an environmental issue here, without knowing anything the wax sounds more sustainable (since reusable), but maybe none of these are problematic?
You dont want to breathe cyanoacrylate fumes and some epoxies can also gas a bit but not as bad.
I do feel the wax is a nicer in terms of what it is made out of but many are not so "natural" these days.
Kinda like everything out there now unfortunately.
Thanks Roy. I have been wondering about wax. If I have trouble holding stones, then a "handle" might be useful to me. What do I look for and where, please? Going all out now! I'm excited! Thanks again. 😊
I haven't packed your parcel yet so I will chuck a small chunk in there. Maybe a prepped stick as well so you can see how it works.
@@RoysRocks Thank you Roy. I appreciate your help so much. I'm 63, so much to learn and try yet! Got a shoulder reconstruction and get my right bicep reattached. Two ponies to break to harness. (Nice change from both ankles, hands,ribs, etc). I have skills at stuff like that! LOL.
try another polyurethane adhesive, two-component, holds perfectly
Got any specific suggestions? Polyurethane has a vast range of properties from rubbery to rock solid. I've tried a few and none held up yet.
How do you get stones off epoxy? Super glue hot water works but is time comsuming.
I still just use water for epoxy (cold overnight). Sometimes have to scrape off a little bit that hangs on. Superglue and water I find is off in no time. Even if the cutting takes a long time my superglue starts failing.
What about Gorilla glue, Gorilla super glue, and Gorilla epoxy?
I did try tarzans grip and also a gorilla glue branded double sided tape if you check the playlist.
I dont see why they wouldn't work. Gorilla glue itself may struggle but the other 2 for sure will work.
I have trouble with rolling the wax on the metal tray. The wax hardens as soon as I touch it to the tray. Do I need to warm the tray? Could I be using the wrong dopping wax?
@@OpalAuctions53Frogs thank you. I’ll try heating it longer. Last effort I only succeeded in giving myself a burn on my finger tip. Im sure there will be more of those in my future. LOL
Good to se @nnopals in the chat!
I second the comments if you get it nice and warm it'll roll easily.
Reheat just before pressing the stone on.
No Music or Cell phones in Class! Since Kindergarden!
I didnt get my first phone till deep in high school. 😀
Super glue and a chopsticks work fine and are cheap as F .
Very true and 100% correct.
Wax is total crap, epoxy slow and messy, and CA kinda toxic. Solution: golf tees, white glue. Dry overnight, coat with nail polish. Soak in water to remove, and reuse the tee.
"Wax is total crap" Why? Once you learn how to use it and get good at it the stuff is pretty magical.
What is "white glue"? Do you mean PVA?
I prefer the wax just becouse i havent tryed anything else 🤣
Well if it works it works.