My new stabilizing setup.

[Allan Molstad]

A "dessicator" is really a device for storing chemicals in a very dry environment.

Umm, what does thisd mean?
Why would a person need to do this?
What is another common use for this thing?

 

[fitzo]

Explanation, and spelled correctly:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desiccator

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I used to use a desiccator that I "liberated" from Va. Chem. Co. . I used it to freeze dry things. It was put in a freezer with the hose run out the drain hole in the bottom. The vacuum pump was in the workshop in the next room. I dried all kinds of things, but the most fun was freeze drying small reptiles. I would arrange them in the bowl with props and braces as needed, and freeze them. Once all was right, I would fill the chamber with silica gel and apply the vacuum. After a couple of weeks, the snake/toad/lizard looked the same as when it was alive, but was as dry as a stick. The entrails, brain, eyes, etc. ....all dried out. A good soaking in a preservative, another dry cycle, and it was ready to retouch the colors and seal in an airtight display. I never had one in a damp environment, but I always suspected it might start to smell if it was exposed to high humidity. The kids still tell people about when they were little and dad kept frozen snakes and bats in the freezer.
Stacy

 

[indian george]

OK!! This is how I do it. Whether it be right or wrong I use mason jars ( I know dangerous ) . I have the Foodsaver lid setup to draw the vacuum. Now the solution I use is B72, Miniwax Wood Hardener and acetone. For the first few days or when I remember, I release the vacuum and reapply. I leave it in the jar for a minimum of two weeks and have left wood in the jars for months.
I did use the Rit Dye it gave color for one or two times. I use organic pigments now, a friend was working at a company that made them. They last longer but I still have to add more to the fourth time to get the deep colors like the first time. Hope this helps.

 

[David Wesner]

I dried all kinds of things, but the most fun was freeze drying small reptiles. I would arrange them in the bowl with props and braces as needed, and freeze them.
Stacy

That is actually an accepted technique that some taxidermists are using. There is one just north of me that uses a refrigerator sized unit made especially for that. Like you said, you need to touch the colors up after the process.

OK!! This is how I do it. Whether it be right or wrong I use mason jars ( I know dangerous ) . I have the Foodsaver lid setup to draw the vacuum. Now the solution I use is B72, Miniwax Wood Hardener and acetone. For the first few days or when I remember, I release the vacuum and reapply. I leave it in the jar for a minimum of two weeks and have left wood in the jars for months.
I did use the Rit Dye it gave color for one or two times. I use organic pigments now, a friend was working at a company that made them. They last longer but I still have to add more to the fourth time to get the deep colors like the first time. Hope this helps.

Well, if that's how you do it IG, it must be right, and it must work Now, what is B72

Does anyone know how you would......to quote a respected company that does stabilizing ,.......... "double dye" something ??

 

[indian george]

B72 Acryloid (Paraloid). Checkout out www.museumservicescorporation.com.
They used this to stabilize the wood items out of King Tucks Tomb.
Fatzo, was the original builder of the chariot that they used it on.

 

[fitzo]

....Fatzo, was the original builder of the chariot that they used it on.

Gods! I thought I recognized you. Finally it's come back to me.

You're the reincarnation of that nasty little stableboy that cleaned up after the horses, aren't you??? Still nasty, and still shoveling the sh*t 3500 years later.

 

[rmd]

<< snip >> Now the solution I use is B72, Miniwax Wood Hardener and acetone. << snip >>

What proportions? Is this only for wood? Thanks.

rmd (lurking and learning)

 

[indian george]

Gods! I thought I recognized you. Finally it's come back to me.

You're the reincarnation of that nasty little stableboy that cleaned up after the horses, aren't you??? .

No!!! I was the one with the whip, hitting your fat ass (Sorry!!! No Ass) to work faster, HELL!!l I was just whipping you to work. Guess you haven't change much in all these centuries. It's kind of hard to break OOOOLD habits. HEHEHEHEHE!!!

 

[indian george]

What proportions? Is this only for wood? Thanks.

rmd (lurking and learning)

It works better on anthers, horns and bones. It works well on wood too and doesn't add as much weight to it if you sent it out to be done. The woods I just leave it in the jar until they do not float.
I use it 50/50 and thin it out with acetone to the viscosity of coffee syrup.

 

[fitzo]

rmd...you can use it also on bone, stag, oosic, etc. I have heard from a friend that he vastly prefers the B72 for antler over any other "home stabilization" chemical.

 

[mdoyle]

Phillip,
K&G sells dye for use while stbilizing wood. I'm sure they could also tell you if appropriate w/ your setup. Here is their website. http://www.knifeandgun.com/catalog/index.htm
You may have to phone them. I have trouble finding some of the items online that are in their mail order catalog. The dye is in their mail order catalog.
Good Luck,
Matt

 

[Phillip Patton]

Thanks, Matt, I'll take a look.