Thread: vacuum chamber

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

You guys who've used this stuff to stabilize horn, you think one of these setups would work to impregnate old horn that's delaminating, or has interior voids?

Just tried polyu on an old horn set and did not really help. I think if I could get hold of a quart of CA that would work.
Here is my setup.:

You might try Cactus Juice. Haven't tried it on horn, but it sure works great on spalted wood.

Originally Posted by skipnord

You might try Cactus Juice. Haven't tried it on horn, but it sure works great on spalted wood.

That what I use,but I have a feeling the process,Vacuum and baking removes the collagen,may not be a good thing.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

That what I use,but I have a feeling the process,Vacuum and baking removes the collagen,may not be a good thing.

Yeah, the baking part made me think Cactus Juice might not be the right thing for damaged horn.

200 degrees should, in theory, be below the point of scorching, but it probably isn't below the temperature that'll cause deformation.

Maybe a UV curing resin. (I'm thinking here of the amber and honey-colored horn).

Is all a work in progress for me,spalted softwoods are a no brainer,natural animal products? do not like it.
Some High oil content woods do not do well also such as lignum and Cocobolo,after wrapping in foil than baking you have a pool of oil,I think best left in the wood.JMO

Originally Posted by Trimmy72

This might be a really dumb question. But why would you stabilize horn? Were any of the old straight razors with horn scales stabilized? What's the advantage?
I could understand stabilizing antler, but even then I would think sealing the ends would be enough. Just trying to to understand....

Duh! I forgot to answer your question.

What I want to do isn't so much stabilize like you'd do with wood, but to fill in interior voids and delaminations in very old horn. Especially the transparent stuff, where all those cavities start to look real ugly.

I'm talking about the areas around the edge of these scales, or some that're much worse:

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

What I want to do isn't so much stabilize like you'd do with wood, but to fill in interior voids and delaminations in very old horn. Especially the transparent stuff, where all those cavities start to look real ugly.

I'm talking about the areas around the edge of these scales, or some that're much worse:

While I'm here to learn from those with knowledge as I've never ventured into the vacuum sealing area I thought that I understood what you were seeking!

Now! For those who are in the 'know' are there any products that would work for this without needing to use heat to cure or 'set' so that the scales would retain their shape?

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I have been using the Daly's for Dense Woods (Cocobolo, Lignum, Ebony etc: )
I have been using Polyurethane for all the rest.. I keep them in seperate Pickle Jars and just move the top around so far no issues with the finish going bad

I have a few Brush customers that have been updating me on their treated wood brushes along with my personal ones, and so far so good the finish is holding very well, I am pretty happy with the results overall..


The only downside is you better like Pickles I even found they same Jar with Jalapeno's hehehe we are well stocked on both


ps: There is a solution out there called "Cactus Juice" that gets very high reviews, but dang they are very proud of it

May I ask why not poly on the cocobolo?

Subed. This is some good stuff getting interested in doing this myself.