stablizing maple

[jrhart50]

Let me introduce my name is James Hartman and my question iscan i stablize maple that is very dry by using the wood hardner min wax and hot water methed? will it get all the way through ? wood is 5/8 thick and 5'' long by 1''.
thanks to any replys guyes.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I will give you the answer i always give:
You can not do a real stabilization at home without some fairly elaborate equipment and supplies.You will need vacuum chambers,pressure vessels, mono-acrylic resins, and some other chemicals.The equipment is not cheap, and the proper chemicals are very expensive.
Using minwax, or other similar products will make the wood better that it was, but is not the same as sending it off to be stabilized.

The bad news is that your wood is already cut to final size. A piece of wood needs some room for trimming after stabilization, usually. Thin pieces are prone to warping.

You might try using a very thin CA, something around a 20, in a home built vacuum chamber to stabilize that wood. On the "For Sale" forum there is some for $50 a one pound bottle.

If it is truly super dry, you could send it to Mike at WSSI and see if it will hold up to stabilization. He would advise you if it is a reasonable risk of warping.
Stacy

 

[jrhart50]

Thanks Stacy the maple is out on a dead limb and i cut some up and left it to months and still flat with no cracking but i had to cut around the splits and sanded flat . I can cut to a larger size what is best for stablizing if i send it off ?. I am just starting out and wood like some for starting out on some knives? It is strate grain with some crotches or of shooting branches that are cool. I live in Colorado Springs it is very dry somtimes less then 1% humidity.
I have seen some of your work and i hope i can get that good some day just setting up a shop.
I am a welder by trade mostley alumm but i know nothing about knives but have bin reading and trying to learn.
Thanks again Tracy and if i can help you it would be a plesure.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I cut the wood into blocks about 2X3X6" or send larger blocks around 6X3X12". I then re-cut the blocks into scales and handles.
Stacy