Intarsia - Kitsap Mineral and Gem Society · Stone Intarsia by Garry Mahan Background: This...
Transcript of Intarsia - Kitsap Mineral and Gem Society · Stone Intarsia by Garry Mahan Background: This...
Stone Intarsiaby Garry Mahan
Background: This presentation outlines how I make a single-layer multi-framed
cabochon, usually referred to as "intarsia“ cabochon. There are other ways to
accomplish the same goal, and you will end up doing your own thing once you do
enough pieces. I have made the piece shown here using 8-inch diameter diamond
wheels and a diamond-edged lapidary saw. Some lapidaries like to use a flat lap or
even a faceting machine to accomplish this work, but as you will see, that is not
necessary
Materials
1. Epoxy 330. This is the two-part glue that you will use to hold things together. If
you find it difficult to get this glue, different epoxy glue will also work. I like the
330 because it has about a 30-minute set-up time, so if you mess up you can
reposition the pieces. I have also used a 5-minute two-part epoxy for the more
simple intarsias, which worked fine. Most of the epoxy glues dry clear. Make sure
you use one that dries clear.
2. A small piece of scrap window glass if you have one. I use this to mix my Epoxy
on. You can use any smooth surface for this - I just prefer glass.
3. Exacto knife or similar. I use an Exacto knife to mix the Epoxy, but you can use
anything you want. The Exacto knife also works well to clean the dried Epoxy off the
piece of scrap glass, so it is ready for the next glue mixing.
4. Wax paper. This is for laying the pieces on when gluing. The glue will run quite a
bit, so you need something under it that won't stick to your cab, the glue won't run
through it, and is disposable.
5. Acetone. This is for cleaning up the epoxy after each gluing session.
Select your center (focal) cab material and mark out the
shape you want on the slab. Larger cabs mean you need to
use thicker slabs for this step.
Next, trim out your cab:
Grind your cab to shape:
Determine and select your frame construction
Trace center cab onto a piece of paper.
Determine what type of frame you want and draw it around the cab on the paper.
Be creative. The cab shown here will have two frames of the thin framing pieces (a double frame) of contrasting material with a wider outside (final)
frame.
Hunt for the framing material.
Slab inner framing material as necessary. I usually cut the slabs about 1/8" thick and then turn it on its side for the frames.
Locate or slab outer framing material..
Mark out and trim inner frame
Inner frame pieces ready to trim out.
Trim out your inner frame pieces on the trim saw.
Check fit inner frame pieces.
Glue inner frame to cab
Trim/grind off ends of inner frame pieces.
Construct second frame around inner frame.
Glue second frame to inner frame
Trim/grind off edges of second frame
Grind second frame to desired thickness
Construct outer (final) frame
Glue outer (final) frame to second frame
Finish intarsia cab
Since making this cab, I found that it works better to
glue the frame pieces on opposite two sides, then grind
off followed by the other two sides (this presentation
showed gluing adjacent sides rather than opposite
sides).