polyurethane stabilizing ?s

[eastbay]

I know alot of turners on this forum stabilize this way and yes I agree it is a great way for pen blanks. My question is stabilizing lets say 1 1/2 sq x 6 and 2 sq x 6. Has anyone stabilized this thickness and will it penetrate all the way. I think it would be a nice way to on call blanks and knife blocks. Thanks and any info will help. Josh Conner

 

[Mudder]

Here is one place to look:

http://content.penturners.org/articles/2004/polyurethane1.pdf

It depends on the wood and how long you leave it under vacuum.It also depends on the viscosity of your Poly solution. If it is too thick no amount of vacuum will draw it completely into the wood. A porous wood or a spalted wood will usually absorb the polyurethane all the way through if you leave it under vacuum long enough. And "long enough" will vary from wood to wood.

Sorry I cannot give you a better answer but this is what experience has shown me

 

[eastbay]

I also was told by woodcraft that the mixol dye they sell would work in a water based poluyrethane. Has anyone tried this.

 

[loglugger]

If you thin it by half it should go all the way just keep going untill all the air is gone. 50% thinner
Bob

 

[eastbay]

What is the normal mixing ratio for pen blank stabilization? Thanks for all the help.

 

[mrplace]

I use it straight out of the Minwax can, and I get 100% penetration on 3/4-7/8 blanks in a few days.

 

[Blind_Squirrel]

Originally posted by mrplace
<br />I use it straight out of the Minwax can, and I get 100% penetration on 3/4-7/8 blanks in a few days.

Are you putting them under vacuum and/or pressure?

 

[eastbay]

I am going to use pressure 70 to 75 psi

 

[loglugger]

I should have thought a little more. I use oil based poly in a vacuum, if the wood is realy soft I will use it without thining and the harder the wood the more mineral spirts used up to 50 % Have never tried water based poly or pressure.
Bob

 

[mrplace]

No pressure, and I use oil base poly (Minwax in the silver can). I pull several vacuum cycles. A cycle is pulling until the bubbles stop, waiting a few hours, and then releasing the vacuum for an hour or so. I do this several times and then let them soak overnight without a vacuum. I get 100% penetration and they are super saturated.

The major downside is that it takes them forever to dry all the way through. I have some that after a month, would still clog the sand paper. That not a big issue, just let the turned blank sit overnight and it is dry in the morning.

 

[eastbay]

That sounds good. It words the same for amboyna as buckeye? Another ? once stabilized with poly will it take any finish besides more poly or CA? I plan on doing some knife scales and pen blanks this weekend. 1 more ? is it similar to plasticizing stabilization. Josh

 

[mrplace]

It takes CA, and I don't put as many coats on. It is not the same as the Acrylic treatment done professionally, but it does make the wood hard and you can get a decent shine with just MM.