robbiejohn
starting to shine!
Member since July 2010
Posts: 36
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Post by robbiejohn on Jan 7, 2011 22:43:20 GMT -5
Hello fellow and sister lapidary nutbars! I've been dithering for a couple of weeks about buying a commercial 'dopping station'. They're not that expensive; but I keep thinking of the rough material I could get for the same price. I was in the local Nu-to-U second hand store today and noticed a raft of used-but-working coffee makers. Thought I'd check with this forum before shelling out or burning my shop down. Do you think it would work? How about if I put a metal container of water on the element and set in it or over it another container for wax? I tried a search on the forum to see if this has been done---no luck. Would be grateful for any bright ideas. New Year Cheer to all! Robbiejohn.
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Jan 7, 2011 22:56:07 GMT -5
I don't dop with wax (I use superglue), but I have seen home made wax warmers made from a large tin can with a bare light bulb inside as the heater. That's possibly even less expensive than a used coffee maker.
Good luck. Nate
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 7, 2011 23:18:48 GMT -5
Can't remember offhand what the proper temperature is for dop wax, But if you can find out, check the temp of the coffee makers heating element with a candy thermometer. If they're within a couple of degrees, I can't see why it wouldn't work. Don
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Jan 7, 2011 23:29:47 GMT -5
Brown wax .....145*F
Green wax .....150*F
Black wax .......170*F
Stick Shellac ....176*F
Special diamond dop wax ...175*F (expensive).
Don't use when underheated
and
Discard if overheated.
Heat up wax slowly.
FYI Dop pots usually take 15-20 minutes to heat up.
Dr Joe
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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Jan 7, 2011 23:52:29 GMT -5
I use a old iron with the handle strapped to a bored, and a small tin can of wax on it, The idea came from one a bought years age from a collection. though it was a Coffee can cut on side to fit the iron inside. i used it for a while. Then changed it to a much older iron with no steam holes in it. i would get wax in the holes. Great way to heat rock to. and to release epoxy's from dop sticks.
Joe D i use Red Wax temp i was told was about 145 -F degrees ?
Thanks for the other temps on wax Joe D.
Oh ya the temp on a old iron settings are from 120 -f / to 180-f degrees.
I use a small amount of Bee`s wax to add a bet of stickiness to the old wax.
i do use wood dop sticks with wax.
And small engine values with epoxy 330 glue`s.
202 an 195 Chevy values are nice for a large dop stick.
B & S small motor values are good to use in a cordless drill on the grinding wheels. to make rounds, and high domes.
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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Jan 7, 2011 23:52:52 GMT -5
I use a old iron with the handle strapped to a bored, and a small tin can of wax on it, The idea came from one a bought years age from a collection. though it was a Coffee can cut on side to fit the iron inside. i used it for a while. Then changed it to a much older iron with no steam holes in it. i would get wax in the holes. Great way to heat rock to. and to release epoxy's from dop sticks.
Joe D i use Red Wax temp i was told was about 145 -F degrees ?
Thanks for the other temps on wax Joe D.
Oh ya the temp on a old iron settings are from 120 -f / to 180-f degrees.
I use a small amount of Bee`s wax to add a bet of stickiness to the old wax.
i do use wood dop sticks with wax.
And small engine values with epoxy 330 glue`s.
202 an 195 Chevy values are nice for a large dop stick.
B & S small motor values are good to use in a cordless drill on the grinding wheels. to make rounds, and high domes.
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Post by rockmanken on Jan 8, 2011 7:05:12 GMT -5
I made mine with a 100 watt light bulb(not the new kind that is only about 56 watts) and flue tin. Used a hammer and put an indention in the top to hold the wax and place my stones around it to warm them. I found an old socket with a on/off switch and mounted it to a board and enclosed the tin around the bulb. Left the back open so excess heat could escape. Let me know if you want a pix. Ken
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Jan 8, 2011 14:48:30 GMT -5
Absolutely! Post pix.
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Post by Rockoonz on Jan 8, 2011 16:56:38 GMT -5
I like the iron since you can also use it to heat up the rock when dopping. I usually use cheap harbor freight epoxy on an aluminum dop, but sometimes I use wax.
Lee
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Post by rockmanken on Jan 8, 2011 20:10:33 GMT -5
Here is pix of my dirty dop pot. Metal shield under bulb. Made the top removable for easy access. Ken
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Thunder69
Cave Dweller
Thunder 2000-2015
Member since January 2009
Posts: 3,102
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Post by Thunder69 on Jan 8, 2011 22:46:31 GMT -5
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robbiejohn
starting to shine!
Member since July 2010
Posts: 36
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Post by robbiejohn on Jan 9, 2011 19:32:26 GMT -5
Thanks to all for helpful ideas. What a wide range of approaches to a common necessity! I'll have lots of fun trying out the various options. Cheers! from Robbiejohn.
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cdfcal
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2011
Posts: 59
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Post by cdfcal on Nov 14, 2012 10:17:03 GMT -5
Thanks for the interesting ideas!
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