thewishman
Member
Trying to learn new things and make a wider variety of blank materials, so I set up a stabilizing system.
Started with a pump, this was the highest rated budget pump on the Turn Tex site (https://www.turntex.com/help-center/cactus-juice-stabilizing-resources/98-selecting-a-vacuum-pump):
Next I needed a pot. There is a company about two blocks from my shop, Restaurant Equippers, with loads of high-quality stuff. The pot has 4mm thick sidewalls and holds 24 quarts, less than $30 - this is it https://www.equippers.com/salerno-24-quart-aluminum-stock-pot/wgsp005.asp
I needed a lid and tried polycarbonate - the 1/2" thick stuff started cracking the first time I used it. Curtis warned me that a thicker lid would be better, but I listened to a local expert and wasted $43. Not a total loss, cut it down, drilled holes in it, and used it to keep the wood weighed down - a 5 pound weight on top it works pretty well.
3/4" tempered glass works much better.
Got the tubing, gauge and valve kit from Turn Tex (Curtis). Drilled in the side of the pot to attach the hardware, rather than drilling the lid. JB Weld seals the hardware really well. Used a silicone baking sheet for the lid gasket.
First batch, used a 1/2 gallon pitcher to hold the wood and Cactus Juice - that worked fine. Got braver on the second batch and used a couple of gallons of juice in the pot itself. It gets easier every time.
There are many things I want to stabilize, and it isn't as hard to start as I thought it would be. Cost just under $300 for everything but the Cactus Juice.
Started with a pump, this was the highest rated budget pump on the Turn Tex site (https://www.turntex.com/help-center/cactus-juice-stabilizing-resources/98-selecting-a-vacuum-pump):
Next I needed a pot. There is a company about two blocks from my shop, Restaurant Equippers, with loads of high-quality stuff. The pot has 4mm thick sidewalls and holds 24 quarts, less than $30 - this is it https://www.equippers.com/salerno-24-quart-aluminum-stock-pot/wgsp005.asp
I needed a lid and tried polycarbonate - the 1/2" thick stuff started cracking the first time I used it. Curtis warned me that a thicker lid would be better, but I listened to a local expert and wasted $43. Not a total loss, cut it down, drilled holes in it, and used it to keep the wood weighed down - a 5 pound weight on top it works pretty well.
3/4" tempered glass works much better.
Got the tubing, gauge and valve kit from Turn Tex (Curtis). Drilled in the side of the pot to attach the hardware, rather than drilling the lid. JB Weld seals the hardware really well. Used a silicone baking sheet for the lid gasket.
First batch, used a 1/2 gallon pitcher to hold the wood and Cactus Juice - that worked fine. Got braver on the second batch and used a couple of gallons of juice in the pot itself. It gets easier every time.
There are many things I want to stabilize, and it isn't as hard to start as I thought it would be. Cost just under $300 for everything but the Cactus Juice.
