In Defrence to Freds remark:
A large compressor is NOT needed.
What is needed is a shut of valve before and after the $10.00 H.F. pump.( actually a venturi vacuum manifold.)
There are automatic systems you can build but the HF one can be put together for under $25.00.Providing you have a compressor that has approximately 90-110 P.S.I.
The technique I use is to open the valve on the "suction" side of the maifold.Between the manifold and the valve I installed a vacuum gauge available at Grainers for about $10.00 .
I also have a valve on the "feed" side of the maifold.
1.Open suction valve
2.open supply valve
3.watch the needle on the vacuum gauge.If you have a good seal on your container the valve will"peak" at about 24-26".
4.At some point your compressor will kick in.
5.WHen your solution starts"bubbling" or the needle on the vacuum gague peaks ,SHUT the valve on the suction side to keep the vacuum in your chamber.
You will see bubbling, this is not boiling,it is air bubbles being reled from you material.
6.Shut off the supply to the manifold. This will allow your compressor to build up pressure.
7.If the needle on the vacuum gauge drops immediately you parobably have a leak some where.
8.THere will be a slow drop in the vacuum reading as you are not pulling all the air out fo what ever you are trying to stabilize all at once.Over a period of time, the suction will pull air out of the pieces you are stabilizing and replace it with stabilizing solution.
This will cause a drop in suction along with the fact there is no perfect vacuum except in space.
9. after a while repeat the process.
10.When there is a visable decrease in the amount of bubbling after repeating the steps, you have probably gotten as much stabilizing solution in the piece as youcan.
11.Just because your piece sinks does not mean that it is finished, it just has achieved negative bouancy.You can probably get bore "bubbling" out of it.
Remember that the liquid you are "sucking" into your piece Will partially evaporate and when it does it will be replaced with air.
This will stabilze a piece for turning, but it is not the same as a pressurized stabilized blank like Bill sells or a service that will stabilze a blan at so much per piece.
I have used this method on my corn cobs and it works well,even though I have to "baby sit" it.
I can do these in the course of a day , let it sit over nite,
Start it and stop the process a day or so and then continue.
There are automatic switches and valves that can be purchased so you don't have to monitor this.
I have used the HF set up with one of their compressors that puts out the pressure I mentioned earlier.
If you want a turn it on and forget about it system, there are vacuum systems used by woodworkers that can be home built for a lot less than ready made units.
A search on Google, vacuum and veneering should get you the information you want.
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