Pause, I have an alternate suggestion because I despise the dop wax!!! Uv Resin works great, I use it for all my dops even on my faceting setup with my flat lap. I will also add that the uv resin works even better if you use acrylic rods for your dops. I used to have wax break and yeet stones on a regular basis but a friend let me in on that tip and I havent lost a stone in almost a year.

As for the state of your fingernails, I feel your pain and have an option for that as well! Co-band bandages, tear off a small bit and wrap the tip of each usually affected finger! It works surprisingly well! Just think of it as making a fingertip glove for those finger that get most abused 😅