Dry time for stabilization

[stevers]

Hi All,
Can someone give an idea of about how long it takes for poly to dry when used for stabilizing? The blanks are 3/4'" x 3", spalted and punky Euc wood. They did the sink and re-float thing a couple of times so I pulled them and set them in the sun. I just want to know how long I can expect to wait before I can turn them. It is about 90 degrees here, although they are back inside, they were out for a couple of hours. Low humidity. The poly is semi gloss. Any ideas on how to speed up the possess?

 

[jjenk02]

Steve, I'm no expert, but I would think you would want to give it several days to cure.

 

[stevers]

Thats what I was afraid of. I'm not known for my patients.

 

[jjenk02]

Originally posted by stevers
<br />Thats what I was afraid of. I'm not known for my patients.

Me either, thats why I blow so many blanks, I get into too big a hurry[]

 

[leehljp]

Originally posted by stevers
<br />Thats what I was afraid of. I'm not known for my patients.

Think about a minor change to your priorities and planning - just a tad. I am not real patient either, but on things that require patience, I have learned add an extra item for my mental "to do" list as a part of planning.

If I know that I want to make a pen "now" that requires "waiting", such as using 30 minute epoxied blanks that take two hours or more to "cure" beyond just hardening I am in trouble. Instead, I set up some blanks with 30 min epoxy, but make my current "priority" to do something else, cut some blanks, clean my lathe table, even make a few pens using some already made up blanks. I usually forget about the newly epoxied blanks and then the next time I am in the shop, viola, I have them ready.

Blowouts and cracks of what should have been beautiful blanks have forced me into this. I see some beautiful wood here and then recognize that I have some too. I recognize that I have, in my impatience, have destroyed beautiful blanks that on the right pen and finish would have been worth $200 easily. I did this two weeks ago on a "freebie" desert ironwood from BB that he sent 2 years ago.

(Note: I use CA on some blanks (slimlines); 5 min epoxy for one or two blanks; 30 min when doing 4 to 6 blanks. )

 

[stevers]

I know what your talking about Hank. Right now I'm almost out of kits, so I probably wont have much to turn for a while. So I am trying to find other things to do. Like you said, cutting some of my found wood into blanks is something to keep me busy. If I can get busy enough, I can forget about the slow moving projects. I'm also getting a little better with age.

 

[toolcrazy]

I'm kinda the opposite. I don't have much time in the shop. So I've learned that I make good use of my time and don't get in a hurry. If I get in a hurry, I end up doing things twice and this wastes time that I could use on other things.