Home Wood Stabalizing

[bigern26]

I found a tutorial on doing home stabilizing using Minwax Wood Hardener.

I thought it would be a good idea to show my process and share with everyone here!!

First off I got the supplies needed:
Hand vacuum pump
brake bleeder repair kit(auto parts store)
Two 1/4'' washers
1 seal able glass jar(thick)
epoxy
rubber hose
Bicycle inner tube
Minwax Wood Hardener
Wood!!

First off I epoxied the washers to the top side of the bleeder seat and the bottom side of the bleeder insert. Then I cut out a rubber washer from the inner tube.

I then drilled a hole the size of the bleeder insert into the lid, Then put the rubber washer on the insert and stuck through the lid. Then I threaded on the bleeder seat and tightened down.

I then poured in some Minwax Wood Hardener(2 pints)

Then I put in a piece of wood and screwed the lid on, then pumped the vacuum pump. I brought the vacuum up to 23 in hg, let out the vacuum and then pumped up to about 23 in hg again. then let sit for about an hour. Then I let out the vacuum. I then pumped to 23 one more time and let sit for an hour.

I Did a piece of hickory and it seems really hard. Here are some pics of said piece, It was cut in half and sanded to 600 grit then buffed. In the pics the wood is not wet.

If anyone has any question please feel free to ask!!!

Thanks for looking!

 

[melsdad]

Was the wood totally submerged in the jar?

 

[bigern26]

On the chunk in the pic, No. I just threw it in there to show wood in the jar. I need to get another pint.

 

[Troop]

Where did you get the hand vacuum pump?
- Thanks!

 

[bigern26]

Where did you get the hand vacuum pump?
- Thanks!

This one I got at Harbor freight,
Otherwise they can be bought at auto parts stores and online.

 

[Troop]

This one I got at Harbor freight,
Otherwise they can be bought at auto parts stores and online.

Great! I've been waiting for somebody to come up with an idea like this! :thumbup:
- Thanks!!!

 

[Troop]

Can you please post a link so I know what to look for?
- Thanks again.

 

[theamazingdrew]

try cutting into the wood i would be interested to see if this method can fully harden the wood.

 

[bigern26]

I hope this link is ok

http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP7830-Hand-Vacuum-Pump/dp/B0009XQUK2


Any hand vacuum pump with a gauge will work, they are also called brake bleeder pumps!!

 

[bigern26]

try cutting into the wood i would be interested to see if this method can fully harden the wood.

As stated in the tutorial, I did cut the block of hickory in half. I cut it with my bandsaw and it cut hard, The end I sanded and polished is the cut end that was in the middle of the block!!

 

[Troop]

I hope this link is ok

http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP7830-Hand-Vacuum-Pump/dp/B0009XQUK2

Freakin-A! This is just the ticket! :thumbup:

 

[NDallyn]

I would be very iffy on using a mason jar for this purpose - you might be a lot better off finding a metal vessel that will not shatter.

 

[Larry D. Davis]

Want to sell that table top??

 

[bigern26]

I would be very iffy on using a mason jar for this purpose - you might be a lot better off finding a metal vessel that will not shatter.

I am looking for alternative but I do belive the jar I used is strong enough, It is thicker that a normal canning jar and jars with lids are made to hadle a fair amount of inward pressure.

Want to sell that table top??

Heck no, I love my table!! LOL Hopefully getting a new one this summer!!!