vac pumps and stabilizing

[schellfarms]

I was reading some of the old and dusty posts about using acetone and plexiglass to stabilize. Sounds interesting. I had a thought about the vacuum pump, though. Some of the food sealers (vacuum pumps) come with an attachment for sealing fruit jars. Would this be enough vac for the stabilizer to penetrate, as it sounds pretty thick? I have had some limited success with the Minwax wood sealer and stablizier. It is not too thick, and might work that way. I found one post about surrounding a jar of the stuff with boiling water and continually refreshing the bath with more water until the contents of the jar are beginning to boil, thus creating a vacuum. This idea sounds rather explosive to me....Anyone have any thoughts on the food sealer???

 

[wdcav1952]

Sarah,

Do not try the hot water method. Fortunately it only cost me a pair of glasses instead of the eyes behind them! Sorry, no thoughts about the food sealer.

 

[woodbutcher]

After a few times of using the food sealer mine developed hairline cracks in the bottom. For myself I'm staying with turning and leaving the stabilization to the experts.
Jim

 

[schellfarms]

Not heating that stuff sounds like real good advice to me. No worries, that's one thing I have no intention of trying. Glad it was only your glasses.

sarah

 

[low_48]

The food sealers don't even come close to pulling enough vacuum. The cheapest system that I think anyone has found would be a brake bleeding kit from Harbor Freight. It has a squeeze grip and you pump it till the vacuum has been pulled.

 

[schellfarms]

could you add dye to the stabilizer and color the blank at the same time? if so, any dye recommendations?