Trying to get my head around the time involved. I use a digital meter for HVAC, and a general rule of thumb is to pull to 500 microns or slightly below - 29.90 inches of mercury. This is not an issue with a good pump and no leaks, but I would never hold it over an hour as I don't like to pay to rebuild my pumps. You are holding for much longer than that, are you experiencing a lot of pump failure? Maybe because the system is much smaller than an AC it's really not an issue. Excellent videos thank you.
I haven’t ever had either of my pumps fail. They do have to be cleaned a few times per year, but it’s a relatively simple process. Thanks a ton for the comment and insight.
awesome video thanks for all the great tips ive never stabilized yet but have everthing i need to do it i have some wood in my pdi controlled toaster oven Mark
It's my pleasure. I'm very happy that I started stabilizing. Saves a ton of money on buying it from someone else, and you can basically create what you want.
Hey Mike, got one of your blocks of Etsy. Really really nice material - thanks for the coupon! I ordered another ;) I stabilize with cactus juice as well and I was wondering if you had any idea why we are supposed to avoid PET and glass containers?
That's great to hear, Paul. I appreciate that, and you're very welcome :). I'm not 100% sure about the glass, but I think the PET has chemicals that will leach into the Cactus Juice and contaminate. I think it's mainly an issue if you're storing in those containers.
Hi, thanks for sharing, great tutorial. I have a question - do you leave the vacuum pump running all the the time or shut it down once the pressure drops to minimum? I noticed that once air is sucked out of the chamber there is not much of a difference on the vacuum gauge either the pump is running or not. But i’m new to this so your advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
My pleasure. I leave the pump running. These pumps are designed to stay on for days and days. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving it on unattended, you can turn it off, but leave the vacuum in the chamber. This takes a special setup, as you don’t want to turn the pump on or off under vacuum. Also, it doesn’t really hurt anything to release the vacuum before getting all the air out of the wood, because you can always continue where you left off…just make sure the wood stays submerged in the resin until you’re done. Hopefully this makes sense. There are many ways to do it.
If it’s a burl wood, I wouldn’t shape or drill without it being stabilized. Woods like curly and quilted, the biggest difference is in the finish and that they don’t expand and contract due to moisture, like unstabilized woods do.
Ohhh. Sorry about that. I use Cactus Juice and their dyes. He changed the formula and now if it touches my skin it makes me itchy, so I need to try something else. It’s been about a year or so since I’ve done any stabilizing.
No no. The soak is under normal atmospheric pressure. Sometimes it’s more than a week, depending on the wood and how much time the wood was under vacuum.
@@Hathenbrucksteelworks ok thanks. I assumed under vacuum...glad I asked. Do you have any experience with red oak? I wanted to try it but wasn't sure how it would stabilize.
Trying to get my head around the time involved. I use a digital meter for HVAC, and a general rule of thumb is to pull to 500 microns or slightly below - 29.90 inches of mercury. This is not an issue with a good pump and no leaks, but I would never hold it over an hour as I don't like to pay to rebuild my pumps. You are holding for much longer than that, are you experiencing a lot of pump failure? Maybe because the system is much smaller than an AC it's really not an issue. Excellent videos thank you.
I haven’t ever had either of my pumps fail. They do have to be cleaned a few times per year, but it’s a relatively simple process. Thanks a ton for the comment and insight.
Easy to follow along, thanks for sharing!
Mucho thanks.
only just found your channel, subscribed and hit the bell, as a fairly new maker looks like there is much that is useful in your content, thanks
I truly appreciate that! I’m glad that I’m able to help.
@@Hathenbrucksteelworks I say maker but I forge them and don't grind them out lol, guess that is a smith in training rather than a maker🤣
😁
Thank you
You’re very welcome. Thank you!
awesome video thanks for all the great tips ive never stabilized yet but have everthing i need to do it i have some wood in my pdi controlled toaster oven Mark
It's my pleasure. I'm very happy that I started stabilizing. Saves a ton of money on buying it from someone else, and you can basically create what you want.
Hey Mike, got one of your blocks of Etsy. Really really nice material - thanks for the coupon! I ordered another ;) I stabilize with cactus juice as well and I was wondering if you had any idea why we are supposed to avoid PET and glass containers?
That's great to hear, Paul. I appreciate that, and you're very welcome :). I'm not 100% sure about the glass, but I think the PET has chemicals that will leach into the Cactus Juice and contaminate. I think it's mainly an issue if you're storing in those containers.
@@Hathenbrucksteelworks Gotcha. That's what I figured. Thanks!
You bet. Thank you!! Your block is on its way 😁
Hi, thanks for sharing, great tutorial. I have a question - do you leave the vacuum pump running all the the time or shut it down once the pressure drops to minimum? I noticed that once air is sucked out of the chamber there is not much of a difference on the vacuum gauge either the pump is running or not. But i’m new to this so your advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
My pleasure. I leave the pump running. These pumps are designed to stay on for days and days. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving it on unattended, you can turn it off, but leave the vacuum in the chamber. This takes a special setup, as you don’t want to turn the pump on or off under vacuum. Also, it doesn’t really hurt anything to release the vacuum before getting all the air out of the wood, because you can always continue where you left off…just make sure the wood stays submerged in the resin until you’re done. Hopefully this makes sense. There are many ways to do it.
Thank you :)
Does stabilizing wood change anything as far as shaping and drilling handles?
If it’s a burl wood, I wouldn’t shape or drill without it being stabilized. Woods like curly and quilted, the biggest difference is in the finish and that they don’t expand and contract due to moisture, like unstabilized woods do.
@@Hathenbrucksteelworks thanks. Just wasn't sure if it gets "sticky" with the resin.
It doesn't get sticky at all. Once cured, the resin becomes a plastic, but doesn't melt like a plastic.
what do you use for dies?
To keep the wood submerged?
Coloring dies?
Ohhh. Sorry about that. I use Cactus Juice and their dyes. He changed the formula and now if it touches my skin it makes me itchy, so I need to try something else. It’s been about a year or so since I’ve done any stabilizing.
@@Hathenbrucksteelworks okay, thank you for your reply, you do great work
It’s my pleasure. Thank you!!
So do you soak under vacuum for a week?
No no. The soak is under normal atmospheric pressure. Sometimes it’s more than a week, depending on the wood and how much time the wood was under vacuum.
@@Hathenbrucksteelworks ok thanks. I assumed under vacuum...glad I asked. Do you have any experience with red oak? I wanted to try it but wasn't sure how it would stabilize.
I’ve never done anything with any sort of oak.
Im baffled by the week in vacuum.
What’s got you baffled about it?
@@Hathenbrucksteelworks that it takes that long sometimes. It was surprising.
Oh for sure. I remember reading about guys who left harder woods in the vacuum for several weeks. I refused to go that long 😂
Teach me how to make borax please
I’m not sure how to make borax.
❤ผมจะติดต่อคุณได้อย่างไรครับ❤
Whatcha need?
@@Hathenbrucksteelworks I always find you on Facebook.
@@Hathenbrucksteelworks i want to contact you I really like your woodwork.
I don’t really do wood blocks to sell anymore. I need to find a new resin before I start stabilizing again.
Great vids thanks from @kswcustomknives !
Much appreciated. I'll head over and give you a follow.