Pressure Pot for Stabilizing?

Tom Militano

Tom Militano

KNIFE MAKER
Somebody gave me a new pressure pot for painting and I was wondering if it can be used to stabilize handle materials? Do materials have to be be stabilized with a vacuum pump or can a pressure pot be used also? Yes, I know that the best way is to send it off to the people that do this for a living, but there are times when I just want to do a couple of pieces myself. Any info will be appreciated. Thanks

Tom
 
You might be able to put a vacuum pump on the container to draw the stabilizer into the wood then switch it to a pressure pump to force more into it. You will need to apply a vacuum to draw the air out of the wood whether you then just let the stabilizer to soak in or force it in under pressure. Let my suggest that you sit down and go over the expence of doing this. Of course you're ahread of the game by having a pressure vessel but you are still going to have to rig a pump to it plus you will have to find a good stabilizer in small quantities. You may be financially much better off to send those two or three pieces off for treatment. Some things are just not worth it to do yourself. If course, that is for you to decide.

Doug
 
I have a new good 4 CFM vacuum pump, a pile of fittings, a pressure pot, and a 60 gallon compressor. Not really sure about hooking all this up though. I may play around with it to see what I can do.
 
I have played around with the vacum pump and and old pressure canner pot. I think the stabilizing chemicals are the big drawback, I used Minwax Wood Hardener with just fair results. Would like to play some more using some other stabilizing agent.
 
I use vacuum and pressure to stabilize my wood. I use 95-1000A for stabilizing. I have gotten great results with this method.
Jim
 
I hate to be "Safety Sam" but the covers on those paint pots DO come off once in awhile and fly across the shop. I'd feel better with a HD set up like Boatbuilder has versus the paint pot, but thats just me. Larry
 
If you give it a go, you can put the blocks and stabilizer in a smaller cup that sits inside the pot. Then you don't need as much of the chemical and keeps the the blocks apart in case one might stain the other.

Probably work fine to use what you have, Craig
 
I tried an old pressure cooker my wife no longer was using. Got a vacuum pump from HF and used alternating cycles of vacuum and pressure with Minwax wood hardener. I did some elk antler and I think because of the pith, it worked pretty well. It also enhanced the coloring of the antler. When I tried it on wood, I would have to say the results were only marginal and more than a PIA that it was worth. I think I will use professionally stabilized materials in the future.
 
Thanks for all the feedback. I'm going to play around with what I have and see what I can work out. It's more of a challenge than cost cutting. It's going to have to go on the back burner for a while though. I have to get some wiring done on my shop for some security lights.
 
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