Vacuum and Pressure ?

[scrollsawwoodart]

Okay so I have read and had some thoughts after reading articles about pressure and vacuums.

I like the pickle jar idea with a reynolds handy vac idea for stabilizing non-dense wood and corncobs.
here is my idea:

I have some of those space saver bags that use a shopvac to suck out the air and create the vacuum. in theory this should work the same way as lbd2000 (Butch's) idea with the handyvac?

Also if i have a pressure pot can you use it as a way to stabilize blanks? in theory could you place the corncobs in wood hardener or poly urethane and stabilize with pressure instead of vacuum.

These are just some thoughts i have had and just wondering thoughts

Thanks for your insight
Jesse

 

[ldb2000]

I had tried using a PP and pressure to stabilize that soft punky spalted maple but could not get full penetration of the wood , that was when I wrote the wood off as too soft to be usable . I had even tried drilling the blanks first but still never got good penetration . I also found that the pickle jar setup worked a little better when the blanks were drilled first but with really soft blanks it was not needed and the chance of blowing up those blanks when drilling was too great so I only drilled the first couple and the rest were stabilized without drilling .

 

[scrollsawwoodart]

Thanks Butch for the added info. I was looking at the space saver bags and I may also try and cut one of the fittings off and glue it to the lid of the pickle jar to see if I could skip the bag and just do it right in the jar. The bags sure do hold vacuum. I did one at 5 am just checking it out and it is trill holding the vacuum. well off to try and see what happens.

 

[its_virgil]

Do I want to spend my time trying to figure out how to stabilize wood blanks or do I want to turn? Me...I want to turn! That is why I leave stabilizing to the professionals. I have never been disappointed with the results. Total penetration and excellent results. I turn while the blanks are in transit from me to them and back. Of course, I also understand that many of us also like trying to figure out how to do these sort of things and that is OK also. To each his own. Having fun is the important thing. Let the fun begin. I suppose experimenting with stabilizing is about the same as I continue to do with casting snake skins etal. We all are having fun.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

 

[PaulDoug]

Jesse, I have a pressure pot and intend to turn it into a pressure/vacuum pot like the one in the library. I just need to collect a couple more fitting and a vacuum gauge. Like you I enjoy the making and preparing as much as the turning of the pen. It is all fun to me.

 

[scrollsawwoodart]

Don't get me wrong I love the turning aspect of making a pen but, there is just something about all of this other stuff that goes along with pen making that adds enjoyment to it.

its_virgil I totally understand where you are coming from about spending more time turning the pens instead of all the other stuff. Hey thats how you like doing it and I think that is great.

I look at it how I started using the scrollsaw, I started with just the basic patterns and a small cheap scrollsaw. I then upgraded to a better saw and wanted to try and do a little more. Then I got my baby a dewalt 788 and I started moving towards more difficult items and learning how to do more with the scrollsaw. There is something always new out there and I love turing, I love scrollsawing, and I love to tinker and dabble into the other areas that are associated with each hobby.

I have to say I love this site and love everyone's opinions and keep them coming. It is always great to have good conversations.

Jesse