Wood & bone Stabilizing

[Rog]

What does everybody use for a wood & bone stabilizer? Ever hear of Paleo Bond, Nelsonite, or Pentacryl? What proses do you use?

[Ed Caffrey]

I spent about a year trying my own stabilizing.....I've come to the conclusion that unless you're willing to spend BIG BUCKS and get the correct chemicals, (the correct/actual stabilizing chemicals will run you about $1,000 per 5 gallons.) you're time and money ahead to let the professionals do it for you.
All of those products you mentioned have serious issues when it comes to being used as "stabilizing agents".

My mindset is that my reputation is too valuable to not use the very best stabilized materials I can acquire.....and that is NOT what I can do. There are a lot of folks/companies out there doing commercial stabilizing, but I still believe that WSSI is the best in the business.

[Rog]

Thank you Ed!. Got lot's to learn. Is there any thing I can use when a guy brings me a piece of dear antler that he wants a knife out of? I have made a vacuum chamber, that I fill with polyurethane and after drying wood and bone I sink it in the poly and draw it down for 24 yours, then let the air back in for another 24. I then give it 2 weeks in my "rod box" fridge. Seem to help a lot. The wood and bone look like an alka-seltzer tab while the vacuum is on.

[Doug Lester]

I'm with Ed on this. After trying a couple of things for a home brewed stabilization I realized that it's not worth my time and money to stabilize my own stuff. I've tried Minwax Wood Hardener but it was a disaster and left the material with a plastic coating. I've also tried Nelsonite and for the life of me I have not idea what it does. I had scales warp badly and rapidly after I had cut them from a block of wood treated with it.

If you want something stabilized send it out to the people who have the knowledge, equiptment, and materials to do the job right.

Doug

[Rog]

Thanks Doug, wow, won't try that stuff. My problem is I've had two guys that relay wanted their material used, just don't know what to do except keep using the polyurethane, and the vacuum chamber.I was gona try the Nelsonite too! Thanks for the tip Doug. You saved me some money, and time!

[J. Doyle]

You can send your own material to the stabilizers to have it stabilized. They'll usually do any wood, bone or horn that you want.

Another vote here for avoiding the home remedies.

[Rog]

Thanks John, really like your knives.

[Horsewright]

Howdy Rog, just send your customer supplied materials to WSSI they will take care of em for ya. They don't just do their own materials for sale, they'll do yours too.

[john costa]

Try this web site. http://www.turntex.com/. I saw a demo on this Cactus Juice stabilizing resin this past weekend at the Ga. guild meeting. This stuff looks really good. Check it out. JC

[Rog]

Thanks much guys. I've been searching around and have found that Chris Crawford does His own stabilizing, and uses a canning jar and a hand pump to pull a vacuum similar to what I do with an AC pump. Man! And I thought I was the originator on that one, nothing new under the sun I guess. He uses Minwax wood hardener for stabilizer too. Guess I have to get a hold Chris, for some more schooling. Thanks again guys!

[Rog]

John, just looked at turntex. Looks good, will be trying this soon. Thank you.

[jdale]

Did you ever end up trying the cactus juice? If so what did you think of it.

[rscoffey]

Rog: Take my word for it (Your posts sound like I wrote them a couple of years ago). You are being steered straight. Have WSSI (or others) stabilize your materials. It will save you a lot of time, trouble and mess. Your customers/friends will wait and be glad they did because the end product will be superior to what you or I can produce using makeshift vacuum pots and polymers that weren't designed for this purpose.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Bob

[Jon Kennedy]

I have also been down the stabilizing road with you all to! but never gave up on the stabilizing, after trying many types of resins and i have tried them all like you guys have I finaly found the right stuff that does a great job at a price and quanity we all can aford! it the ZK-TR90 heat cure resin! dont let the big stabilizing companys fool ya the ZK-TR90 resin is the stuff they use just diffrant name! I have extra gallons available if any of you need some

[Jon Kennedy]

Originally Posted by rscoffey

Rog: Take my word for it (Your posts sound like I wrote them a couple of years ago). You are being steered straight. Have WSSI (or others) stabilize your materials. It will save you a lot of time, trouble and mess. Your customers/friends will wait and be glad they did because the end product will be superior to what you or I can produce using makeshift vacuum pots and polymers that weren't designed for this purpose.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Bob

Troy from Zumbros calls does a great job stabilizing for customers and very good to deal with, he also has many types of wood on hand that are complete!