Wood Stabilitation

[JBC69]

I made mine from a large mason jar, 1/4 hose barb, and a http://www.harborfreight.com/air-vacuum-pump-with-r134a-and-r12-connectors-96677.html Air Vacuum pump that I can hook up to my air compressor. Very inexpensive start up and it works just fine.

What are you using for stabilizing chemicals and how much penetration are you getting?

 

[D_Golden]

What are you using for stabilizing chemicals and how much penetration are you getting?

I just use Minwax http://www.amazon.com/Minwax-41700-Pint-Performance-Hardener/dp/B000BPINKS

I get 100% on penetration. Once air bubbles stop coming out of the wood, I open the jar and the hardener absorbs further into the wood. I then loosely wrap each block in foil then bake on low/warm until dry.

 

[S.Alexander]

After you get the stabilized wood back and make the scales what finish works. Someone says beeswax. Others say line seed oil. Any advice?
Thanks

I use Tru oil. About 3 coats on stabilized wood creates a nice glossy sheen. You can also wet sand with it to fill any imperfections in the wood block.

 

[Brian Ayres]

Question to go along with this topic.
Are there any woods that don't need stabilizing by K&G yet would benefit from something like Cactus Juice under vacuum? I have a vacuum system that I got for free.

 

[Alpha Knife Supply]

I poured a bottle of Minwax into a foil container and left it in the shop to see how long it would take to harden. After 9 months it was a small thick blob that was still flexible and would flow when the container was tipped. The volume had reduced by more than 75%. I did not finish my test because I moved out of state and I did not want to pack the container.

After my test I've concluded Minwax is a poor stabilant. After 9 months it never got hard and continued to shrink. If anyone is using Minwax as a stabilant on knives sold to customers, they have an obligation to tell the customers they used sub-standard materials on the knives being sold.

Chuck

 

[Marko3]

I poured a bottle of Minwax into a foil container and left it in the shop to see how long it would take to harden. After 9 months it was a small thick blob that was still flexible and would flow when the container was tipped. The volume had reduced by more than 75%. I did not finish my test because I moved out of state and I did not want to pack the container.

After my test I've concluded Minwax is a poor stabilant. After 9 months it never got hard and continued to shrink. If anyone is using Minwax as a stabilant on knives sold to customers, they have an obligation to tell the customers they used sub-standard materials on the knives being sold.

Chuck

Chuck is 100% right .. I don't think the savings or quality of wood is worth it and if your selling your knives you owe it to your customers to provide them with high quality wood . For finishing you get excellent results slack belting it to 320 at least then I wet sand with Danish oil up to 1200 let it sit overnight and buff the next day and you can achieve a real nice silky satin look .