Hi, Smitty! To try to answer your question about using super glue or wood hardener for stabilization, I'll differ to the Non-hack members of the group.
Howsomever,
my take on these is this. Regular super glue just doesn't have the penetration under room air/normal conditions for any thing more than a hard gloss finish. I have not tried using a sufficient quantity to emerse and/or put under vacuum.
There is a variety known as "thin CA" used in model building for pentration in balsa wood, but it cost prohibitive at over $6.00 per ounce for me to experiment with.
I do recall a tutorial that used wood hardener, a double boiler, and a larger mason jar. I'm sorry that I can't recall the author; maybe some one here can provide the link.
The trick was to place the wood into the mason jar, and fill with enough WH to cover. Place the unsealed (lid not screwed down tight) container into the double boiler. Pour HOT water into the pan (the jar top must not be below the water line) and continue doing so until the temp inside the jar is the same as out.
You should start to see some bubbles comming out of the ends of the wood. Once desired temp is achieved, seal the jar and remove from heat. The air space at the top of the jar will start to condenese and create a vacuum within.
You'll really start to see bubbles at this point, but they soon stop as the inside pressure stabilizes. Hide the jar from yourself for about a week before opening. Remove the wood from the jar an set aside to dry.
The hardener is supposed to have greater pentration with this method. I've tried this with thinned laquer (approx. 25% sol) on some wood that I harvested from my property (deadfalls/prunings). So far, so good.
Good luck and fill us in with what you come up with.
