Wax dopping is such a coordinated heat and slop method with wood dopsticks. Is there a better way?
A. Of course there is. Take advantage of wax’s tendency to cold roll, long a vexing characteristic to gem cutters. Just melt some wax, get it to wrap around the wood dopstick and then, holding the stick vertically, push the wax glob down flat against a cold glass, metal or plastic surface. The wax will still cling to the wood dowel but the glob’s tip will cold roll out flat against the chilly surface. Now put superglue on the flat wax platform and attach the stone. For removal, heat a knife and cut off the wax and the superglue – or, better yet, place the dopstick-stone assembly in the freezer for a few minutes (and thus shrink the attachment).
