Originally posted by ed4copies
<br />Griz,
I agree, your logic is sound. Logic has never stopped me from trying, will answer that question (corncob test) AFTER we solve the brittle issue.[
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That experiment is one of about 5 reasons we wanted to try this ourselves. If you just want REALLY NICE BLANKS, stay with EPR (Yoyospin)-colors are beautiful, turns great, cost is reasonable!!!
I too must agree!!! EPR is absolutly amazing!!! Here is a link to the first 3 that I completed.
http://www.penturners.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6683
The only reason I don't have more of them done is because I'm waiting for my pen kits and a new mandrel in the mail[xx(]...
I too have pondered the thought of how to stabilize using poly resin...
I had the absolute pleasure of finally turning one of BB's stabilized blanks and it ACTED SMELLED and CUT JUST LIKE PLASTIC!!! It was at this time that I thought about the PR as well.
My idea was to place the blank into let's say a Mason jar or similar receptacle. Then in another jar mix the resin and hardener, and as soon as you add the drops of hardner, pour the mixture into the empty jar with the wood blank... At this point I think you'd have to act pretty quickly. NOW, place your jar with the wood and the resin into a 2 Qt. Foodsaver vacuum seal canister, and SUCK SUCK SUCK the AIR OUT!!! The Foodsaver will actually pull 24" of vacuum @ sea level!
I'm not sure , but I think the resin needs oxygen to be able to harden, so by sucking all of the air out of the jar , this MAY prolong the hardening until you actually pull out the saturated blank out of your jar??? I'm not sure... Who knows, you may end up with a jar full of hard resin with a blank stuck inside it after all is said and done, but I definately am going to give it a try. I have had some pretty good success with the Foodsaver vacuum chamber using sanding sealer. The sealer definately penetrates the entire wood blank. I maded the mistake and didn't let one dry enough, and when I drilled it out, the shavings from the middle of the wood were still wet!
I'm glad that there is someone else out there that isn't afraid to try this crazy stuff too. I was hoping that I wasn't the only one...
Post your results here!!! If I have any luck (or lack of luck) I will definately post my results too! Take care, and drive safely
Ben