Spalted Maple

[extremesurvival]

Does anyone have any tips on do it yourself stabilizing of spalted maple? I've experimented with Tung Oil, Super Glue, Danish Oil, Polyurethane, etc., but nothing works, the junk is still like styrofoam. It's really beautiful though and I want to use it for a knife I'm making.

Thanks.

 

[allan lanigan]

I don"t think you will have much luck stabalizing spalted maple it is much to soft,and the proper chemicals to do the job properly are just too expensive.I love spalted maple and send mine to http://www.stabilizedwood.com/ They come back solid as a rock..

 

[tmickley]

2nd that on WSSI. I've sent several punky, spalted maple pieces to Mike and most of it's come back rock hard, some came back significantly harder but still too soft to use. Some wood just can't be salvaged. Try WSSI before giving up on it. If your maple is spongy soft, pitch it and buy a new piece. Anything harder than spongy soft, WSSI should be able to harden it up for you.

 

[Nathan House]

Mike is a stand up guy and does great work,I got some awsome Buckeye from him,I will be doing more business in the furture with him.You will not go wrong with WSSI.If it can be stablized he can do it.

 

[peter nap]

With spalted maple you have to change your thinking. Assume that you have to make a handle from the stabalizer alone because all the wood is going to do is determine the shape and color. It will nee to be a single part deal so I would go for one of 3M's marine products. I would try one of the Bedding Polyurethane products, thinned all to He!!. Soak at least 2 weeks, tightly covered and weighted so the entire thing gets coverage.