Thread: Splitting stones (instead of hairs)

I would just wrap it in tissue paper (about 2 or 3 is fine) all around and lacquer it. The Japanese do it with their stones and it works perfectly fine.

Originally Posted by Magpie

my concern is that if I clamp, the stone might be stressed, and crack at the stress/fulcrum point. But if I DONT clamp, how can I be sure the entire gap is filled so there are no weak spots? Some glues need an abscence of air to cure properly. some are fine in air. Damn it Jim, I'm a wino, not a stone mason!

it's possible that matter and anti-matter are forcing the stone apart, get in there with a magnetic probe and be prepared to use some dilithium epoxy.

I never typed the word "dilithium" before.... doesn't look right.

i would use epoxy to fill the crack. and i wouldnt clamp the stone it will put more stress on the stone

my suspicion is that the stone was dropped and the edge strike started the split. I am going to pick up a few small epoxy/superglue types, and try applying it to some shale stone I have lazing around. If it works, I will go with the best version of that. if it does NOT work, I will go with the lacquer. I suspect lacquer applied repeatedly will fill the crack in stages, even though it would not be as strong as an epoxy.

Most epoxies would be too thick. Superglue might be your best bet unless you can find a real thin epoxy that will wick into the crack.

Sounds like it would have been better if the stone would have cracked all the way into two pieces so you could epoxy both halves and then lightly clamp it back together to form one unbroken stone.

Jerry
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Originally Posted by mrsell63

Sounds like it would have been better if the stone would have cracked all the way into two pieces so you could epoxy both halves and then lightly clamp it back together to form one unbroken stone.

Jerry
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Jerry, good point.
We all have lapping plates, if the stone split in two you could lap both pieces to be joined perfectly flat and then epoxy them together. That is assuming they split somewhat even. alx