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Place a dab of glue on the stone and on the dop stick.
Dopping a Fragile Stone.
If you have ever tried to wax-dop a heat-sensitive stone only to have it crack or have the wax drip all over the stone, you will like this technique. And it could save you some heartache and $$$. This works especially well on small and heat-sensitive stones such as opal.
1. Buy some "Super Glue" or "Hot Stuff," which most craft and hardware stores carry for under $4.00. Also purchase a supply of dowels. Dowels can be purchased at most lumber suppliers such as Home Depot.
2. Cut the dop stick as close to 90 degrees as possible.
In the photo I am using a craft mitre box and saw.
3. Smooth the end of the dop using your 600 grit grinding wheel, flat lap or sand paper. Try to keep the 90 degree angle. A smooth file could also be used. Get as smooth of a surface as possible.
4. Coat the end of the dop stick with glue and let it dry. This will seal the end of the dop stick. Place a second coat of glue on the dop stick and a dab on the stone. Let the glue set up for a minute or two, and then carefully place the stick on to the stone as you normally would. Set it aside to set up well.
Idea submitted by Bob Willis.
Pictures by George Sterpka.
Cut your regular dop stick as close to 90 degrees as possible.
Smooth the end of the dop stick by grinding (left) or use sand paper (above).
Place a dab of glue on the stone and on the dop stick.
There is space here
Tack mounted stone.
Another handy technique incorporates the use of a tack.
A guide hole is first drilled into the end of the dop stick, otherwise the dop stick would split at the end when the tack was inserted. This technique allows for many stones to be changed quickly using just one stick. The tack is ground smoothed like the stick above.
1. Using a sharp tool, poke the end of the dop stick to make a guide hole for the drill. The drill size will
depend on the size of the tack to be used.
2. Drill a hole in the end of the dop stick about 3/4 of an inch deep.
3. Place the tack into the dop stick and grind or sand the top smooth.
To remove the stone, place the dop stick and stone in water and the glue should release. Or if you are in a hurry, use a single-edged razor blade to remove it.