Thread: LeeValley now has a full line of Arks!!!

I actually have all three stones, but my surgical Black Ark is far from ready. It's been sitting here looking pretty for some time. It has a huge crack in it, was like that when I found it, but still has some usable surface area.

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

I actually have all three stones, but my surgical Black Ark is far from ready. It's been sitting here looking pretty for some time. It has a huge crack in it, was like that when I found it, but still has some usable surface area.

Is it fixable?

I've been trying to get it out, with out wrecking anything, to see what the bottom side is like. But like I said, it's been sitting here for a while. Not high on my priority list, but something I'd like to get done so I can use it.

Yes, sounds like a task because after its fixed it needs to be lapped and then burnished. Is it glued to the box?

Originally Posted by S0LITARYS0LDIER

Yes, sounds like a task because after its fixed it needs to be lapped and then burnished. Is it glued to the box?

Ya, I can't seem to budge it. May have to stay in the box forever. I'd do my worst to the box to get it out, but I like this old box. It's very well made and is so pretty.

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Ya, I can't seem to budge it. May have to stay in the box forever. I'd do my worst to the box to get it out, but I like this old box. It's very well made and is so pretty.

I know what you mean the box my washita stone came in I didn't like at first but it's part of the history and pretty and worn. I would think soaking it in something to loosen the adhesive is out of the question for you?

what ever you do, do not pry or "whack" to try and free the stone. More often than not the stone will fissure leaving shards of stone still glued to the bottom of the box. Worst case, shatter in a manner rendering it unusable.

If you can tell if it is glued in, plastered in, or tarred in, you can try placing the stone in the oven, start it slow at like 150F 20 minutes, then raise it to 250 for 20, then 350 for 20. Some people don't recommend that high, but I have done it. slow rise in heat so the stone wont fracture. SLOW COOL DOWN TOO!

If its plastered in, a soak in warm water may well do the trick.
Good luck!

Why F wit it ?


Just toss it and buy another,

Originally Posted by 32t

Why F wit it ?


Just toss it and buy another,

Ha! I'm not going to toss it. I think I will use the sections on either side of the crack if I can't remove it.

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Ha! I'm not going to toss it. I think I will use the sections on either side of the crack if I can't remove it.

You should toss it HW!
Into the oven, at 120-150 f, soak some q tips in acetone, some in kerosene, and some in toluene if you can find it (contact cleaner, or brake cleaner). Warm up the stone and see if any of the above reactivate the adhesive. If so, that's the solution to use. series of soaks and thermal cycles will allow the solution to migrate through the adhesive and let air in to break the seal. Low and slow in the oven is the key so you don't split the box or stone more.
My old charnley came out of its box using the above process in a toaster oven. I was left with a pink mastic mess on the inside of the box and underside of the stone.
The kerosene was the one that worked best with that glue, but every adhesive is different.
Good luck, and help is willingly offered if you bring it to the next meet up.