zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on May 6, 2016 18:58:49 GMT -5
I've heard of using Devcon plastic steel, which is pretty expensive & is silver in color.
Someone recommended Super Glaze mixed with unsanded grout. I couldn't find a product named Super Glaze at the 2 stores I visited. Perhaps there is a similar product sold under a different name. The brand probably doesn't matter.
BTW, why unsanded grout? Sanded grout has quartz or silica sand in it. Nothing my wheels aren't used to.
What is your experience with backing? Lynn
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Post by vegasjames on May 6, 2016 19:18:07 GMT -5
I saw a YouTube video on this a while back. I think the guy was using JB Weld, which is only a few dollars a tube. And since you only use a thin layer it goes a long way.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2016 19:26:28 GMT -5
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Post by radio on May 6, 2016 20:15:58 GMT -5
I've heard of using Devcon plastic steel, which is pretty expensive & is silver in color. Someone recommended Super Glaze mixed with unsanded grout. I couldn't find a product named Super Glaze at the 2 stores I visited. Perhaps there is a similar product sold under a different name. The brand probably doesn't matter. BTW, why unsanded grout? Sanded grout has quartz or silica sand in it. Nothing my wheels aren't used to. What is your experience with backing? Lynn I highly recommend Devcon plastic steel over anything else out there. It is not prohibitively expensive and may cost a few pennies more than than other backing materials, but you can be assured it will never de laminate or disintegrate like some backings will. Not sure where you have seen silver colored Devcon plastic steel. The stuff I use is black as the ace of spades, but does have silver sparkles in it from the steel content. There is however, a plastic putty that is silver and I do not recommend using that as a backing. Many Native Americans use unsanded grout which is very similar to plain 'ol Portland cement with no sand or gravel in it. Unsanded grout just makes a more dense backing and less likely to flake or chip than sanded grout as we are only talking a thin layer in most cases. I have used JB Weld in a pinch, but am not fond of it as a backing.
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on May 6, 2016 20:57:39 GMT -5
Hey Lynn, I've used JB weld for backing fire agates, turquoise and other stones that need a little leveling out or added thickness for setting. It works pretty well, just allow it to dry overnight and grind off the excess as necessary.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2016 21:03:08 GMT -5
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on May 6, 2016 21:32:30 GMT -5
radio, Is there a product with a similar consistency as Devcon Plastic Steel, but without the steel flecks? Lynn
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Post by radio on May 7, 2016 7:53:21 GMT -5
radio , Is there a product with a similar consistency as Devcon Plastic Steel, but without the steel flecks? Lynn JB weld would be the only thing I'm aware of. I have had problems with the consistency of JB and it setting up properly. I pay very close attention to the mix ratio, but it seems once in a while you get some tubes that are either old, or something isn't right in their batch from the factory. Unfortunately, you can't tell if it will harden properly until you are ready to work with the stone 24 hours later and discover the backing is still tacky and refuses to harden any further even after additional curing time. I have never experienced that with Devcon, so the few extra pennies is well spent when you don't have to remove a failed backing and start all over
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Post by orrum on May 7, 2016 8:47:17 GMT -5
Like Radio said. Take a piece of plexiglass glass and cover with wax psper. Mix Devcon black with steel on another piece of wax paper with a wide putty knife covered with wax paper. Use whole tubes of Devcon. Use putty knife to apply a thin layer of Devcon to plexiglass glass covered with wax paper. Gently push turquoise slabs into Devcon until all is full of pieces. Let harden. Flex plexiglass glass and sheet of Devcon pops off wax paper. Use trim saw to separate pieces and cut preforms if desired. Wax paper lets u reuse putty knife and plexiglass. Caution....the steel can rust from contact with skin so coat back of cab with clear fingernail polish or u can use silver leaf. I use glue on fittings on some turquoise so don't coat the back until after u glue on the bail. Then some I use for silver work with bezel etc. Have fun.
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on May 9, 2016 14:23:28 GMT -5
radio JB Weld is also a metal flake filled epoxy. Since I don't need metal flakes in the backing, why pay for it? I'm hoping that there's an alternate product. BTW Devcon plastic steel comes in 2 types - Putty (A) & Liquid (B). I see that Rio Grande sells the liquid. Which do you use? Lynn
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Post by orrum on May 9, 2016 15:21:27 GMT -5
Use liquid but let it stiffen a little b4 putting slabs on or they sink in too far. Excellant question!
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