Thread: What are you working on?

Originally Posted by RezDog

It started at 0.090 so I’m guessing the high spots will be really close to that. Average is likely around 0.075”.

Yup. .090 overall on these oldies! Spot-on!

Originally Posted by MikeT

I've been wondering about vacuum chambers for achieving max penetration with oils in scales. Sometimes the inclusions in the horn don't get oiled, so thought maybe..

I was wondering also if heat would play a role in opening up the material for better penetration of oils and dyes and stabilizing agents...?

Anybody know about this?

Indeed, I finally got a set of Shaun's bone scales completely saturated past summer.
They spent a few weeks soaking on the dashboard of a derelict Suburban out in the sun.
Worked great!

I was looking online at the set ups that are used for stabilizing, maybe I didn't see the right website, but they didn't look right.
Basically, a tube like this with sanitary ends, with the clamp on ends, one with a valve connected to vacuum pump.
Have a trough inside holding the oil, put the scales inside next to trough, close it up, suck down the pressure, let the temp raise back up (or actively heat it), and then tip it over to spill oil over scales.
Let it soak in, relieve the pressure, soak some more, and your done!

Does that sound right?

Looks like something under the sink!
Could be? ..............I figure the ones on the dashboard went through a cycle a day........Hot and not so badly hot!

Originally Posted by RezDog

I had Roy vacuum oil into a bunch of chalky dry slabs at one point. It hydrated them well but they are still quite chippy, so not good for carving but the colour they became makes them look a lot like ivory. I still have some kicking around here.

That was a fun project.

I think maybe I'm over complicating it.
Best just to get a cheap starter kit, put the wood in, suction it down until the bubbles stop..
Any picks of your systems?

Is it better just to send out to someone with the set up and skills already?

That has been my approach Mike. I had a vacuum pump from past jobs already, so I just ordered a small container. If I had budget for tools right now I might order a stronger vacuum pump. Mine struggles to get 25 inmg and the better ones will do 30. There is tons of information on dying and stabilizing wood.

Originally Posted by MikeT

I've been wondering about vacuum chambers for achieving max penetration with oils in scales. Sometimes the inclusions in the horn don't get oiled, so thought maybe..

I was wondering also if heat would play a role in opening up the material for better penetration of oils and dyes and stabilizing agents...?

Anybody know about this?

Didn't work out well for me for wood stabilization ( probably due to poor sealing, cheap parts, super soft wood) but I've heard of people using large glass jars with a brake bleeder for DIY vacuum chambers.

Originally Posted by JP5

...I've heard of people using large glass jars with a brake bleeder for DIY vacuum chambers.

Ive never done this myself but would a hand pump like that really work?

I have a hard time seeing a hand pump doing the job. I've worked with vacuum pumps, high and low pressure systems big and small.
But seeing the info online, it looks like it can be done very cheaply, except the vac pump would be the biggest purchase.
Maybe the hand pump would be sufficient, but Rez did he got to 25, that's not too much under 30, and he said it may not have been enough.
What do those hand pumps pull?