Clean-up of Messy Epoxy Tubes and Mixing Surfaces
by Glenn Ruminson (FACETS Mar 2005)
I got tired of getting my fingers gummed up from leaking epoxy and hardener tubes. I avoid the mess by slipping a 2″ by 3″ polyethylene bag over the bottom end of the tube — all the mess stays inside the bag.
This is probably not new to a lot of you, but I also discovered that ethyl alcohol (sold as denatured alcohol or shellac thinner–editor) will dissolve epoxy, hardener, and mixed but still soft epoxy-hardener. A squart of alcohol plus scrubbing with a paper towel makes quick and easy cleaning of sticky fingers, or your mixing surface, as long as you do this before the epoxy hardens.
Cut a paper towel into 2″ by 2″ sections for ease of use in cleaning up epoxy messes. I also find these sections useful in blotting water and debris off stones before checking my cutting progress.
GemCad Software
There are a few software programs of use to faceters. The first that comes to mind is GemCad, developed by Robert Strickland. According to GemCad.com, “Gemcad is a computer-aided design (CAD) program for faceted gemstones. It runs under Windows 95 or later on PC compatibles with screen resolution of at least 800 x 600.” Note, it will also run on a Mac using Parallels or other software enabling you to run Windows software.
Strickland goes on to say, “GemCad simulates a faceting machine and shows you accurate 3-D views of the stone. GemCad understands symmetry, so you typically have to ‘cut’ only a fraction of the facets to get the full design. GemCad can follow paths of light rays through the stone to allow you to optimize a design to minimize light loss. The end product is an accurate faceting diagram that shows several views of the stone with accurate angles, indexes and dimensions. At Gemcad.com you’ll also find links to the Datavue 2 database of faceting designs.
The DOS versions of GemCad and GemRay software and documentation are now free. So if you’ve got an older Windows machine, grab a copy and get designing!
Gemology Tools is a complete gemology software reference. They say, “If you do jewelry appraisals, work with gemstones in any fashion or just love gems then Gemology Tools Professional is a must have. Time is money and Gemology Tools Professional saves you time. Visit Gemology Tools for more info.
DiamCalc is another program that displays a simulation of a cut stone. It is used by diamond cutters and sellers because no photograph can show the beauty of a diamond. They also have the free GemAdviser 2.0, a read-only software allowing you to view 3D models of diamonds and gems in the *.GEM format created in DiamCalc and Helium Polish. (Does anyone know whether it would also be able to read files in the .gem format created in GemCad? If anyone knows the answer, please let us know so we can correct or append this post). The GemAdviser allows one to evaluate diamond (and other gem material’s) light return and leakage.
DiamCalc Software
