How To Stabilize Rocks With Opticon - First Experiment!!!

[@johnsaucerhunter]

I found this wonderfully interesting as I've always wanted to try the Vacuum-chamber for stabilizing fragile rocks. I enjoyed that you also went with an experimentive mindset. I think this is wise as not every stone is the same when it comes to stabilizing. So thank you for sharing with us your quest.

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

Oh thanks 🙏 I will try my second experiment soon!

[@wyomingadventures]

Nice job Julie. Looks like you found a good way to stabilize stones. The flash is beautiful on the pietersite! 💙

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

Thanks 🙏 I am so happy that it worked out so well 🥰 I want to stabilize everything now 😂

[@Bonpetraau]

Very thorough and informative video, thanks Julie 👏 The peristerite is a gorgeous stone and from Perth! I'm from Perth in Western Australia 🦘

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

Thanks 🙏 what a coincidence! It seems that there are many Perth cities 😯 cheers !

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you for sharing your process.

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

Will soon try the cactus juice… ☺️ thanks for watching 💕

[@sonyaalgosaibi5840]

thank you for sharing Julie

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

🥰

[@WandaandSteveCreations]

Hello, I look forward learning from you. 😊

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

Thanks Wanda! 🥰

[@SirRocksAlot]

Love the video and experimentation. I've been trying a few different techniques and resins/epoxies. A little apprehensive about heating opal too high as it likes to fracture/craze. Thanks for sharing your insights and talent.

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

Thanks for your input 🙏✌️💕

[@nadiadragonfly11]

Fantastic job Julie👏🏽🤩 Love how You experimented, and like a true researcher You had a varying sample for comparison! Haven't heard about the Fishscale Peristerite, and I have to say it's quite gorgeous🥰 Looking forward excitedly to the upcoming Collection🧡🧡

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

Thanks 💕💕💕💕

[@nadiadragonfly11]

@@femmemecaniquedesigns

[@WorldofRockhounds]

I'm subbed now :) This will be helpful for future projects! Thank you!

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

Thanks Kyle! Hope my experiments will help ✌️🫶

[@JustinKPrim]

I hadn’t seen your channel before but I’m seeing it now. Great video. I’ve always wondered how the stabilization process works! Subscribed.

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

I just started that’s why! You have so many videos for me to lean from! Excited !! :)

[@JustinKPrim]

@@femmemecaniquedesigns we were in Montreal for 5 weeks teaching 2 years ago. Too bad we didn’t know about you then 😭

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

Oh I started cutting one year ago! Next time you teach near Montreal I want to take a class! I cab but want to facet too!

[@JustinKPrim]

@@femmemecaniquedesigns I don’t think we’ll do it again. Crossing the border with all the machines is too much headache. We regularly do classes in either NYC or Chicago. Maybe one of those might work?

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

@@JustinKPrim A NYC trip is well overdue! Only 6hrs away by car for me! I will check the schedule!

[@kingdarkem]

I have had great luck using stuff called magic resin. Its a deep pour low viscosity epoxy resin. I found it penetrates deep on even thick slabs. Coprolites are usually what I use it on due to their crumbly nature.

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

Thanks so much I will definitely try it out 🫶

[@kingdarkem]

@@femmemecaniquedesigns your welcome

[@ResortDog]

Thanks for sharing. I found cookie or candy bags like M&Ms or coffee, Are better to not stick to the glues like StarBond or epoxy.

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

Thanks for the tip! I will have to eat cookies 🍪 ;)

[@robbybobby64]

Using the epoxy first to fill the cracks and then coating with a thin layer of mixed epoxy and resin is a method you use on faceted stones. The wet epoxy in the depth of the cracks are not an issue because your not cutting into the stone. It also helps to heat the epoxy up to 190 degrees to thin even more.

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

Thanks for your input! I may try to heat it a bit more next time! Cheers!

[@robbybobby64]

@@femmemecaniquedesigns It is usually heat cured.

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

@@robbybobby64 I was pretty happy with the results! I did some heating :) next I will try cactus juice !

[@benjamindejonge3624]

Cactus juice will do the job, bit it’s messy after the oven

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

My next experiment will be the cactus 🌵 juice! I am curious to see the difference between them! ☺️

[@lapidarydave]

😍❤🔥💎

[@JohnMcfarland-hi9qw]

enjoyed your video, I just cab stones.I do run into problems with untreated stones.I try to avoid the fractures,but sometimes waste to much of the slab.I might try it in future.I got your info on lap daves channel,subscibe to your channel today.I do not have one,I see you in his chats,great way to learn!

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

Wonderful thanks for subscribing and commenting! Looking forward to chat in a live!

[@HGS9773]

BRAVA. 💥

[@femmemecaniquedesigns]

☺️🫶