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MIStabilizing Spalted Wood ✨
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Here’s a step-by-step guide to wood stabilizing - a great way to strengthen and harden soft or punky wood. I had a big batch of Spalted Beech that was quite soft and inconsistent, so it was a perfect candidate for stabilizing!
Materials & Tools:
• Vacuum chamber with pump
• Stabilizing resin (we use Cactus Juice)
• Oven
• Containers for resin
• Gloves & eye protection
Step-by-Step Process:
1. Place Wood in Vacuum Chamber
Submerge the wood completely in the resin inside your vacuum chamber.
If it floats, weigh it down - it needs to be fully covered.
2. Apply Vacuum
Start your vacuum pump and slowly pull pressure to avoid overflow.
Keep the vacuum on until you stop seeing bubbles - this can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours depending on the wood.
3. Soak (Post-Vacuum)
Once the bubbling stops, release the vacuum slowly.
Let the wood sit in the resin for at least as long as the vacuum time - we usually leave it overnight for good measure.
4. Remove & Drain
Take the wood out of the resin and let the excess drip back into the container.
Wipe off any surface resin with a rag or paper towel.
5. Cure in Oven
Place the wood in a preheated oven at 200°F (93°C) for 1-3 hours, or until fully cured (resin should harden all the way through).
⚠️ Don’t use your kitchen oven - this step gets messy and smelly. We have a small oven dedicated just for stabilizing.
6. Cool & Store
Let everything cool completely.
Once cool, it’s ready for use or to be stored for a later date!
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@millandmooch
