Stabilizing

[Laurenr]

I experimented over the weekend with stabilizing. I used a 50/50 mix of Minwax Wood Hardener and Acetone. I let the blanks soak overnight, or about 12 hours, and then dried them for four days.

It worked beautifully. I am in the process of putting together a pressure pot, but in the meantime it is nice to know there is something that works.

 

[PaulDoug]

I hope my HD has this stuff. I'd like to give it a try.

 

[skywizzard]

I have never tried diluting the Minwax hardner with acetone, but the hardner works great on spalted woods. If you run a vaccum with the pressure pot, be aware that the hardner and/or acetone will boil as you lower the pressure due to it's low vapor pressure. I also have found it is a good idea to put a baffle over the pressure inlet inside the pot. This keep you from "blowing" the low viscosity liquids out of the container. I just tape a piece of heavey u-shaped paper over the inlet.