A very big ask ...

[wobblybootie]

Hi folks,

I have a very big ask for your consideration.

I have aquired a block of wood from which I intend to produce pens ... Nothing out of the ordinary there, I hear you say.

Okay, I would like to have the blanks stabilised using the TurnTex Cactus Juice vacum method. I do not posess the equipment to do this myself, nor do I have the funds (at this time) available to buy, ship and import to the UK, the kit needed.

Would someone be willing to do this for me providing I cover ALL costs.

Now, why would I want to go to all this trouble? Especially when I tell you that the wood block, from which I will cut the blanks is a very nondescript looking piece of English Oak. Because of it's proven provenance is why. It is part of H.M.S Victory, Admiral Lord Nelson's Flagship during the Battle of Trafalgar 21/10/1805. HMS Victory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As a former Royal Marine I guess my pleasure in owning the wood may be greater than most, but I am trying to make the pens I produce as long lasting as I can. I am able to issue with each pen a certificate of authenticy proving the provenence of the wood.

I would be most grateful if someone was able to assist me.

Thank You

Tim Grenville-Cleave

 

[NittanyLion]

I would be glad to but shipping costs would be high. Hopefully you can find someone over the pond. If not, PM me.

 

[wobblybootie]

Ask ...

I know shipping will be costly, but to me, a price worth paying ...

 

[The Penguin]

I could do it as well.

 

[ed4copies]

This is, obviously, one of a kind wood!!

Make certain anyone who stabilizes it, has experience with stablilizing. I would send along a few pieces of English Oak with NO provenance for practice. (With nearly the same moisture meter reading!!)

Just a suggestion,

Ed

 

[Monty]

This is, obviously, one of a kind wood!!

Make certain anyone who stabilizes it, has experience with stablilizing. I would send along a few pieces of English Oak with NO provenance for practice. (With nearly the same moisture meter reading!!)

Just a suggestion,

Ed

Take Ed's advise. In my experience with oak, it doesn't table Cactus Juice very well. I dyed/stabilized some oak and the dye penitration was not very good despite the MC was less than 1% and it set in the juice over night before curing.

 

[wobblybootie]

This is, obviously, one of a kind wood!!

Make certain anyone who stabilizes it, has experience with stablilizing. I would send along a few pieces of English Oak with NO provenance for practice. (With nearly the same moisture meter reading!!)

Just a suggestion,

Ed

Take Ed's advise. In my experience with oak, it doesn't table Cactus Juice very well. I dyed/stabilized some oak and the dye penitration was not very good despite the MC was less than 1% and it set in the juice over night before curing.

Okay, that's something I didn't realise, I am not dying anything but I assumed (First mistake) that even decent wood (not 'punky') would still have a reasonable take up of Juice ... maybe I should just stick to 'normal' methods of turning and finishing ...

 

[glen r]

If you have any doubts try applying a little thin CA as you are turning. This will ensure that any punky/soft wood will get coated with CA to strengthen it.

 

[maxwell_smart007]

If the wood is not 'punky' and is in good shape, I'd think that a good CA finish would be better than risking the loss of irreplaceable wood in the mail.

Coupled with the fact that dense hard woods don't like/need stabilizing, and I think you might want to try a non-stabilized pen first and see how it turns out.