will know in a few days on stabilizing

V

vaquero57

Joined
Nov 12, 2000
Messages
131
Ok guys, I nuked a purpleheart slab and 2 pieces of moose antler in the microwave and put them in my mixture of polyurethane, thinner, and oil based stain called step saver(damn good stuff) They sizzled when I dropped them in and smoked so I knew they were hot. I put the lid on them and we will find out. Tell me what you think of my mixture my chemist friends.

------------------
" I am a shootist."
Clay Allison
" Does this mean we are bladists?"
Vaquero57
McAlpin Bladesmithing
 
Sizzled? . . . Sizzled? . . . Uhhhh . . . You might want to turn that microwave down just a hair, lol. Of course, I'm no chemist. More like a mad scientist. If I don't blow something up or set off the fire alarm, I figure I'm ahead of the game. Look forward to hearing how it turns out.
Terry
 
Terry I wanted to make sure the pores were opened. Are you using a vacuum? I did but I cannot seem to find a PRACTICAL chamber. I used a jar that worked with a hand pump but not enough room and hard to get slabs back out through small opening. Now have an old pressure cooker but seal is no good. Indian george sent me several o rings and a silicone stuff but it is not the same. So thinking about canning (no pun intended) the pressure cooker idea. Plus I do not know if my hand pump would pull a vacuum on that large of a chamber. Right now they are just soaking in the mixture in a jar with the lid on it. That one builder on the other post said that was all he did after the nuke and it worked for him. What do you think? I tried to get my boss to sell me this aluminum canister with threade ends and o-ring seal that was about 12" long and 4-5" diameter that was used for pressure cleaning Ford fuel injectiuon systems. It had a 150 psi guage already on it and an air nipple. But found out he still uses it on occasion so he needed to hang on to it. So I am back down to nothing. Did window shop my local True Value for anything and everything that would work but came up with noithing. I am thinking if I can get a suitable vacuum chamber with the microwave I will not need pressure. Or do I need vacuum with the heating? Feedback?

------------------
" I am a shootist."
Clay Allison
" Does this mean we are bladists?"
Vaquero57
McAlpin Bladesmithing
 
If you got smoke IT'S TOO HOT. Should be hot enough to be uncomfortable to hold but not smell like burning whatever.
I did a scrap piece of Mammoth Ivory 2 days ago. Looks like it will work just fine. As soon as I get the right size jar I am going to try a handle slab size piece of Ivory. Next on the list is Bubinca (Yea thats what it sound like anyway) a piece of Ash, then some OLD walnut and some really porous stag.
 
I may have figured something out. I canned my slabs ha ha. Since they were hot when they cooled down they pulled a vacuum in the jar. I opened it today to look at them and the jar popped like a jar of pickles first opened. Out of curiousity I stuck the jar in the microwave for 55 sec until a few small bubbles started to rise to the top. Then I screwed on the lid. It built up a little pressure and bulged the cap. I let it set and a hour or so later the pop up button on the lid sucked down. Ok here is what I am thinking. Slightly heat the stabilant to thin it out(slightly don't cause it to combust) then heat the the pieces and put in jar, screw on lid and let sit. This eliminates having to have a vacuum pump and a valve rigged up. Let the jar pull its own vacuum and let sit for a few days. What do you think.

------------------
" I am a shootist."
Clay Allison
" Does this mean we are bladists?"
Vaquero57
McAlpin Bladesmithing
 
P.S. Bob, It was uncomfortable to hold but did not smell burnt. In fact it smelled normal. I could hold on to them it was just hot. Of course my hands are caloused from turning wrenches for 10 years.

------------------
" I am a shootist."
Clay Allison
" Does this mean we are bladists?"
Vaquero57
McAlpin Bladesmithing
 
Look at yard sales for old stainless steel Hudson garden sprayers.
These have a screw-down type seal, parts & seals are available, and they are fairly cheap.
Drill a hole near the top for a petcock & anchor inside & out with nuts and fiber washers.If ya want fancy, drill a couple more for vac & pressure guages. Anchor them the same way.
Find an old fridge compressor for a vacuum & compressor (you need to plug off a couple of the tubes...pinch & J-B Weld 'em shut).
2 pieces of 1/4" tube, 4 hose clamps, & you be in bidness!
 
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