Re: [ATM] Rechanneling, Malacara

["James Sturtevant" <jhsturte@hotmail.com>]

>From: "Bob May"

>The razor method does work  and is fast but I do find it a bit
>mess.  Since most of the time, I've been where I just couldn't
>make messes that would be hard to clean up (rthe razor method
>throws pitch all over the place ) so it really hasn't been done
>much.

I use the razor channeling method all the time and yes, it is messy but 
there is a simple and effective solution to that problem. Just buy one of 
those big plastic storage containers, put the tool in the container and go 
to it. The flying pitch bits stay in the container. I usually wear rubber 
gloves but Go-Jo will remove pitch nicely if you don't have gloves handy. 
When you're done, snap the lid on the container to keep the pitch crumbs 
clean until you are ready to remelt and reuse them.

I have tried the hot pitch and hot bar methods but found that the displaced 
pitch tended to return to its original position when pressed against the 
mirror so I prefer the razor. Razor cutting doesn't distort the lap so only 
a little light pressing is needed after re-channeling. The main thing to 
remember when razor cutting is to throw away the blade when it begins to 
dull. A dull blade will break chunks out of the facets instead of cleanly 
shaving the edges of the facets.

Jim Sturtevant

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