Replies

1. 
   jako17 | Nov 22, 2006 04:25pm | #1

   Not really the answer to your question but I do remember that can be a problem with air bubbles in the epoxy and there are ways of reducing this.One method was placing it under slight vacuum but the thing I read many years ago also suggested simpler ways.Rather vague I know but it may help.Also how about pouring either pewter or a low melting point metal  into the crack.I believe that woods metal or cerabend are very low melting point alloys used for bending pipes to stop wall collapse.These melt not much over boiling water

2. 
   douglas2cats | Nov 23, 2006 05:03am | #2

   I'm not a turner, but have used Inlace on some flat stuff. They have some colors that look like turquoise. I picked mine up here. They have a few tutorials and quite a few gallery pics as well.

   http://www.turtlefeathers.com/text/inlace/inlace-dyes.html

   If you build it he will come.

3. 
   BlueEnamel | Nov 26, 2006 09:53am | #3

   Gary,

   I haven't tried it with turquoise, but I've used a mixture of ebony dust and epoxy for filling in around guitar inlays. Bubbles are not usually a problem. The epoxy goes through a few stages in the mixing and curing processes. Before mixing, the two parts are like thick honey. When first mixed, it turns white due to small bubbles from the chemical reaction between the resin and hardener. It also becomes stiffer than the separate components. After a short time, the mixture clears up and thins out so it is easy to apply. Depending on the cure time of the epoxy, it transitions from slightly stiff to mostly cured fairly quickly near the end of the open time of the epoxy.

   I add the wood or stone dust after the initial mixing when the epoxy is thoroughly mixed, clear, and thin. For small cracks, I'd use a quick curing type like the 5 Min. epoxy. Since you have a pretty high turquoise dust content, any yellowing over time should be not be a factor.

   When applying the mixture, try to force as much material into the crack as possible. The dust in the epoxy will stiffen it up some, so it will not flow as easily as the pure epoxy would. You may need to use a needle or Xacto knife blade to get the epoxy as far into the crack as possible and remove any trapped air underneath.

   For guitars, the typical application leaves the epoxy / dust mixture proud of the surface. After it cures completely, it is then sanded off. That way, any shrinkage doesn't affect the final result. The downside is that it requires some sanding.

   Another neat possiblity is to use gold or silver to fill the cracks. Either leaf or wire would work. I had heard that there are some Japanese ceramic bowls that were mended this way. The effect of the gold just in the cracks sounds like it would look great. I haven't done a search on these bowls yet, but it is on my list of things to do.

   Have fun and don't be afraid to experiment.

   -- Blue

1. 
   desertmaster | Nov 30, 2006 08:07am | #4

   Blue (and all others who replied),

       Thanks much for all you input.  Blue, your suggestion of ebony dust rang a bell; I have some ebony scraps which I can use for that.  Thanks      Gary