Well, sounds OK but the devil could be in the details.

Here's how I do it and I get 99 out of a hundred to stick.

Plug in the dop pot (Light bulb and tuna can) and get the wax started melting.

Grind a flat surface using the 220 grit carbide wheel and water, NOT oil.

Wash off stone with Dawn and water. Rinse well with just water. Dry and place on the dop pot to warm up (too hot to hold actually).

When the wax is good and melted, Twirl my dop stick in the wax to get it good and coated on the end plus about 1/8th inch up the sides. Get big blob on the stick.

Quickly move the stick/wax from the wax pot onto the stone (Use the right diameter stick... should be close to the size of the finished cab you're after) and press hard. Hold it there for a second or three, then pick up the whole thing, carefully make sure the stone is perpendicular to the stick and the wax is spread evenly on the stone, then set aside to cool. No rounded edges, a nice tapered wax blob is best.

I set mine aside overnight to cool. No cold water, no special treatment, just set aside with stone down and stick up to cool.

The next day, I start working the stone.

You'll pop the stone if you push too hard and try to go to fast.
OR
if the stick/wax is too small.
OR
if there is any oil residue on the stone.
OR
once in a while, you just have to re-dop.

Hope this helps.
Phil

From Phil - November 12, 2009 at 04:26:05

Message: 68529