Just a word of advise.
Use a catch jar if you are pulling a vacume directly on the jars. Stabilizing liquid in the pump will ruin it!!!! (dont ask me how I know!)))
Also ask yourself what results you are trying to achive.
If you are wanting the results that you get from WSSI, K&G or other professional stabilizers. STOP.
I do not want to discourage anyone who is wanting to try this. But I want to make sure you are aware that without a fairly large investment you will not get the results we expect from professionally done stabilized wood.
Now having said all that, I am still experimenting!
My best so far has been a mix using acraloid B72 (Thank you Indian George!!!!)
So far I have used the following mixes.
B72/Acetone/Minwax wood hardener - to date this is the best mix. Although I did not get the penetration I was hoping for (all tests done on a 1.5x 5 block) I have only used vacume, and not pressure. I think this may be a big factor.
I have tried the above mix and added Thompsons brick sealer. It seperates.
Brick sealer alone looked good, but would still absorb water when finished. (not acceptable with me)
There are tons of recipies out there. you are only limited by your knowledge and imagination!!!!
But on a last note: SAFETY
Most methods use a acetone carrier, so yo will be creating a LOT of fumes doing this. Highly irritating and explosive fumes. Use a well venilated area away from an ignition source.
Glass jars can and will implode/explode if over loaded. I would suggest placing the jar into a safe container ( I made mine from a steel milk crate lined with 1/2" lexan sheets I had. (May not be the safest but I felt better with it)
Some methods require cooking to cure. All the ones I tried ignited at temps above 160 deg. So be careful here and be prepared to deal with the fire if it happens. This wasnt a violent explosion, the block just burst into flames. But the risk of explosion is real, again use a venelated area!
Didnt mean to hijack your thread, or try to scare you from trying it. Just the opposit! I just want you to be aware of the trouble Ive had and to be especially aware of the danger so you can engineer around it.
We all learn from others, so post your results good or bad!
Good Luck and God Bless
Mike