How to Stabilize Wood and What is Stabilization

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
  • Stabilizing wood can be a great way to use scraps that are not solid enough for general use. How to Stabilize Wood it a question that has come up a lot more recently since I made a video making a couple mallets: • Making Mallets for Tal...
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ความคิดเห็น • 485

  • @David-fv7zg
    @David-fv7zg 6 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    That was the simplest, most easily understood demo I have ever seen for this. Thank you for sharing this, not nearly as difficult or intimidating as I thought. Thank you!!

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      thanks David. that means a lot

    • @corygilmore9083
      @corygilmore9083 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@WoodByWright I was wondering can you glue this stabilised wood to untreated wood.
      I'm thinking of trying this for bass fretboards..
      Your thoughts would be appreciated

    • @Freefalling127
      @Freefalling127 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@WoodByWright is there some place where I can private message you? Or even FB. Thank you!

    • @scottlu480
      @scottlu480 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Came here to say the same thing!

    • @shanesims2864
      @shanesims2864 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you for your time and video . 👍🏻 Very helpful and easy to understand. All the best. 🤝

  • @mullmiller
    @mullmiller 4 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Thanks for the vid man. Also vacuum chambers have no pressure. Which implies positive pressure. They have a negative pressure or “vacuum“ . And you would pump atmospheric pressure out, not in. As for the pvc its warning is against positive pressure, no negative. Also, the valve wo a line is basically an air bleed, you dont have to start the pump with it open. You can leave it closed always til ur ready to take the lid off if the chamber is under vacuum. Thanks for the vid man

    • @stevenleades
      @stevenleades 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      They still have pressure, the pressure is simply lower than atmospheric pressure

    • @mullmiller
      @mullmiller 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@stevenleadeswhich is called vacuum

  • @frankmakes
    @frankmakes 6 ปีที่แล้ว +53

    This was super helpful, of course now I have to save every last tiny scrap of wood in the shop.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Lol. Yup got to love that pile of almost sawdust scraps for some future project!

    • @reforzar
      @reforzar 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      frank howarth wait, you don’t do that already?

    • @MegaRetroRocket
      @MegaRetroRocket 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Same, I already had a problem...

    • @billy19461
      @billy19461 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Got a 55 gallon garbage can full.

    • @lukeiodice4750
      @lukeiodice4750 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Year

  • @Jinnuksuk
    @Jinnuksuk 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Seems to be the best wood stablization video I found so far. Explanations are great too. But I imagine that this is a bit of an overkill and completely changes the density and composition to try to use on guitar builds... I'm from a place where we have very little humidity so the indian rosewood fretboard I got started to bend almost as soon as it arrived so now I have it clamped lightly on a flat surface hoping it doesn't warp or start to crack as it dries.

  • @MarcRitzMD
    @MarcRitzMD 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    As a bowyer I'd love a discussion on the changes to the mechanical properties of stabilizing wood. We have similar needs to people in the fishing rod hobby. High tensile and compression strength.

  • @travishanson166
    @travishanson166 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I just cut down a black locust that is spalted and worm/ant tracked.
    I was merely cutting it down to make way for 2 large mulberries to come down. I'm a little excited to see what it looks like when I get to milling it.
    This spring I'm moving to town, so I'd figured I would do some maintenance logging before the place is sold, so I'm quite excited to see what all I end up with slabbing elm, black and honey locust, mulberry and a few others we haven't identified yet.
    Originally I was just going to mill up a bunch of fence posts and call it good, but now I seem to be hooked on "gold mining" wood lol.
    Having different options to stabilize and add value to certain woods is nice.

  • @dlwright405
    @dlwright405 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Ty sir. I have started to fo some wood rings. And I have been watching people stabilize wood. But they never went onto detail. So this helped alot.

  • @wb_finewoodworking
    @wb_finewoodworking 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    James, this is the best video I’ve seen on stabilization and I’ve seen quite a few. Your explanation between Cactus Juice and epoxy was super. While I don’t have a need to stabilize anything right now I’m sure that sometime in the future I’ll want to. The information in your video will be very helpful when I do. Thanks.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks man. That means a lot.

  • @SeasquatchWoodshop
    @SeasquatchWoodshop 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great tutorial! I've been sitting on a bunch of birch burls that I've been wanting to dig into, but it's so dang spongey, it would just crumble as soon as I started working with it. Gonna try this out. Thanks, homie!

  • @Seasickpanda
    @Seasickpanda 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I got the supplies to do this a year ago and was just intimidated by the process too much to take a day and get it figured out. This was an extremely easy to understand tutorial, and I’ll be doing this soon.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Cool. Let me know if you have any questions I'd love to help you out.

  • @practicallyIndependent
    @practicallyIndependent 6 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Darn! I just burned a bunch of nice looking cherry pen blanks because of a little rot. Didnt know about this option. Thank you very much James for sharing this! I am totally going to order this stuff. Thank you!

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      thanks man. my pleasure. it is perfect for that!

  • @ronmack1767
    @ronmack1767 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    That was interesting James. Thank you for the tutorial on wood stabilization and the stabilization chamber. My wife hundreds of rose bushes at one time and as some died when I dug them up the roots were actually big enough to make somersmall. Most were pretty solid but some pieces would have a punky spot or two. I have saved them hoping to be able to use them One day and I believe you have given me the anwer. Thank you and God bless.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      That sounds like a great project. Nice man!

    • @lueythorne344
      @lueythorne344 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      200 c or 200f

  • @dondavi5798
    @dondavi5798 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Very useful! I am fixing to start into turning and I kept running across this as a suggestion without explanation of what it is. Thank you very much for the info and demo.

  • @neilsauve9847
    @neilsauve9847 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    No sooner did I ask the question and you do a video on it...excellent, and informative..I had been watching the Tally Ho Restoration for a while now and all I can say is that kid is a genius...Nathaniel Bowdich would be very proud.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      LOL my pleasure. thanks Neil. I am really hoping to get out there and help him again some time.

  • @streametal
    @streametal 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for sharing! Even 4 years later it`s helping people like me

  • @TheWtfnonamez
    @TheWtfnonamez 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I like your philosophy of trying to match any old wood to a use where it will work. nice one

  • @MrMakkji
    @MrMakkji 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I just now found your channel, and the info youve given me today and the quality of your videos im surprised that you dont have more subscribers, you taught me/showed me alot of good stuff today. And today was a day I wish I knew all this before hand. But such is learning curves sometimes!

  • @busterwest1644
    @busterwest1644 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Stabilisation explained very well.. I have a vacuum pot so I can give it a go thank you for the video

  • @s4nari
    @s4nari 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Exactly the advice and product links I was looking for! Also, that clip at the end made me crack up, subbed.Well played Wright.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks. Glad I could help.

  • @oojagapivy
    @oojagapivy 6 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Thanks for the info James. I want to get into pen turning and I've been saving some nice spalted tulipwood for it. Time to get into stabilising.
    Damo

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Sweet man. Don't have too much fun!

  • @KomarProject
    @KomarProject 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    James this is great info. Thanks!!!

  • @PohlBarnProductions
    @PohlBarnProductions 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That was really really worth watching. thank you for this great video.

  • @wadegustovson5767
    @wadegustovson5767 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Seriously the best demo vid on this I’ve ever seen. Well done man. I feel confident I can do this now.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you. I'm glad I could help out.

  • @peterking2651
    @peterking2651 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I’m looking at making outdoor signs, this seems like a great technique for that.

    • @kellyvcraig
      @kellyvcraig 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      You'd have to go full on imagination. For example, do to the material and zippers they use for space suits. Keeping the zippers up out of the several expensive gallons of juice.
      Pain, BUT, when done, you would have what you were hoping for.
      Meanwhile, consider doing what I did for years, and argued with the then [and now] expert in finishing about - saturating the wood with thinned poly, in stages, letting the solvent gas off.
      Deep penetration, in my opinion, ALWAYS trumps surface coats that require more maintenance.
      If you want to share ideas, do a search for ImaginationUnincorporated, which is me. Then contact me via that information.

  • @TCTimberArt
    @TCTimberArt 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video, you’ve convinced my to make a vacuum chamber. Your explanation of stabilizing was great, it’s not so intimidating now.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks man. Glad I can help.

  • @vgskiddles3766
    @vgskiddles3766 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Wonderful video! Took the mystery out of stabilization! Thanks!!!!

  • @matthewharvey8755
    @matthewharvey8755 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    If I had a nickel for every tip you gave that blew my mind, I would be a rich man! That pvc pipe idea is gold!

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks man. I will try to keep them comming!

    • @matthewharvey8755
      @matthewharvey8755 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@WoodByWright I've used big pvc pipe to steam with, but never would of thought to use it as a pressure chamber.

  • @dannyhale7645
    @dannyhale7645 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video. I've been wanting to learn more about this. I saw a thread on some web site where a guy made a small set up with a gallon pickle jar and a $25 hand operated brake bleeder pump from Harbor Freight, along with various fittings and some silicone.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      ya I have seen that. the problem with the bike pump and no gauge is you 1. do not know how good the vacuum is, and 2. with a bike pump you can rarely get it halfway as far which is ok for most it just means the juice will not penetrate as far in some woods.

    • @dannyhale7645
      @dannyhale7645 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      This guy used a brake bleeder pump thar had a gauge attached.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@dannyhale7645 oh I miss read that sorry. I don't think I have seen that one. I will have to look for it.

    • @dannyhale7645
      @dannyhale7645 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      I found it in a Google search it was on a site called The Shave Den. I think he was making scales for a straight razor.

  • @tparker
    @tparker 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Best stabilization vid I've seen so far. Thanks for your hard work.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks Thomas! that means a lot.

  • @rodneylangstroth4577
    @rodneylangstroth4577 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awesome. This video answered all my questions.

  • @chuckgoughiii8215
    @chuckgoughiii8215 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video. It pretty much answers all my questions. Thanks.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      thanks! glad I could help!

  • @DavidsWoodturning
    @DavidsWoodturning 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hi, great video well detailed. Do you leave the vacuum pump ON for the full duration when sacking all the air out of the wood? Or just like the pressure pot once it gets to the desired level switch off and leave as it is?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      It depends on how good your valves are. If I can get it down low enough and close it then I do. But most the time it takes a good 20 minutes plus to get it all the way down to a solid vacuum.

  • @LewisFarmAndForge
    @LewisFarmAndForge 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hey thanks I just cut up a burl I found & cant wait to make some knife handles out of it with your methods

  • @dancompton1300
    @dancompton1300 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for the video! Very well done and clearly explained. I appreciate it!

  • @TristanDare
    @TristanDare 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    How long do you think the chamber will last with the resin? If you look in the description of the chamber it does say "Chambers are not compatible with stabilization resin (i.e. Cactus Juice™, Gator Venom™, Minwax™ etc.)".... I'm not sure if this actually does anything that it wouldn't otherwise do to regular stabilizing chambers that are made for it. What are your thoughts?

    • @zifnab6824
      @zifnab6824 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      it should last forever. two parts that can fail one is if you splash epoxy/resin up into the valves. the chamber itself looks to be made of stainless steel. the other part that might have issues is the seal getting hard and not sealing because you get epoxy/resin on it.
      but then they sell the seals for cheap

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      They are just covering their backside. @zifnab has it on the head.

    • @grizzlywon
      @grizzlywon 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Make sure your chamber has a glass lid! The degassing chambers with plastic lids will fail! I know from experience.

  • @kestersmith3400
    @kestersmith3400 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You made a comment the the cactus juice will not fill a void. My question is till epoxy stick to the wood after you stabilize a piece of burl or should the epoxy be put in the void first

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes, the epoxy wheel adhere to it without any problem.

  • @DracoOmnia
    @DracoOmnia 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Exactly the response I wanted to my question from the other video, thank you!

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks I'm glad you like it.

  • @SaplingCompany
    @SaplingCompany 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video, clear and full explanation!! Thanks

  • @BradsWorkbench
    @BradsWorkbench 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    How dry does the wood need to be? Can you stabilize green wood

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      If you create a full vacuum it will completely dry the wood. The problem is you don't want water in the wood when you put it in the oven otherwise it will then boil and push out the stabilizer. but if it's a green wood put in the microwave for a little bit and it'll dry it out nicely. Or when in doubt leave it in vacuum for 30 minutes before then stabilizing it.

    • @BradsWorkbench
      @BradsWorkbench 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@WoodByWright thanks

  • @gjDOnBBQ
    @gjDOnBBQ 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Can you dye the cactus juice?

  • @Karimsss25
    @Karimsss25 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    wow never heard of this very interesting. Does stabilizing actually eliminate wood movement. im trying to make carvings with inlays Would stabilizing help with movement ???

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Stabilization makes less wood movement. It will still expand and contract due to temperature but far far less due to humidity..

  • @barryirby8609
    @barryirby8609 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I am curious about doing a large piece like a table top. I have done a couple of red oak ones and spent endless time filling tiny voids. What about putting the top in a polyethylene bag, pouring some epoxy and drawing a vacuum on the bag to suck the stuff into the voids? Then fill the larger voids?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      That actually works fairly well. I've done that on a few of them. You just have to make sure you set up the bag right so that the air can get out without it drawing up into the vacuum hose. You won't get quite as good of a vacuum as this but it does good enough for filling cracks and voids and bug holes.

  • @RobWright-1969
    @RobWright-1969 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I would like to encase a scroll sawn design in resin.
    Should I stabilize before or after cutting the pattern into the wood??
    This will be both thin baltic birch and solid hardwoods, up to 1/4"..

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It's generally best to do it before. As the wood will move a little bit with the stabilization.

    • @RobWright-1969
      @RobWright-1969 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@WoodByWright will a scroll saw cut resin??

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  ปีที่แล้ว

      yes it will though you may want to slow it down so it does not heat up too much.

  • @jonturn7
    @jonturn7 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Is there any benefit, or would it even work, to use cactus juice to deep penetrate thicker woods, like a trunk/log, first, then follow up with a penetrative epoxy?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Not really. The only reason to stabilize wood is if it is unstable or if it's going to be glued to something that is incredibly stable such as steel. stabilizing it will decrease the amount of expansion contraction or if the wood is punky and soft it will harden it so it can work much easier. larger chunks generally don't need the stabilization as long as they're solid wood.

  • @SolaScriptura94
    @SolaScriptura94 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Wow this was extremely helpful and fun to watch!!! Thank you so much!

  • @wlial
    @wlial 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Good tip, James!

  • @Hobbysnedkeren
    @Hobbysnedkeren 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice one James. Good video as usual

  • @skyme01
    @skyme01 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks for the video!I see that you remove the vacuum,then add the vacuum again,watching for more bubbles,cycling a couple of times..I’ve seen some people leave the vacuum on until the bubbles disappear,usually 2 or 3 hrs,then release the vacuum and let sit. Is there a difference? If so,which is better?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      I have done it both ways but I found it to work a bit better with cycling it. In the end it's just a personal preference.

  • @josefenoglio
    @josefenoglio 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    WOW!, amazing! when you said 200 degrees, you ment ºF, dont you? Because I read the cactus juice label and its sais Cactus Juice is heat cured at temperatures between 80ºC -96ºC...

  • @Mad_Props
    @Mad_Props 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I have a liberty hatch cover that I found on my property, can I stabilize the wood if it’s too large to fit in a vacuum pot? And oven? I imagine the resin won’t be able to penetrate the whole piece.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Without a full vacuum you would not be able to penetrate the whole piece. However with large items like that you really don't need to penetrate the whole piece. I would personally just use a penetrating epoxy depending upon how punky the wood is it will absorb in a 1/16-in to a quarter inch. And for most uses that's all you need. If you really want to try and pull it in a little bit further you can use a vacuum packing bag but that won't help that much more.

  • @bobbyshelton8781
    @bobbyshelton8781 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    James isn't Cactus Juice, a 2 part resin. All that I have seen requires the harder ( small bottle added to the larger one) or have they brought out a new product.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes there is a small bottle they ship with it you have to add. The reason being is that the temperature may get high during shipping so they don't want to include that ahead of time. But you can add the hardener to it as soon as you get it and it will stay liquid in the shop for years and years to come. So it's considered a one part resin as it is heat cured not chemically mixed curing.

  • @jofritz
    @jofritz 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    So I have some really old pine that has lots of cracks. I want to turn some and use some for knife scales. Should I stabilize first then fill voids with epoxy?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Stabilizing is more for punky and rotin wood. And it does not work well with pine.

    • @jofritz
      @jofritz 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@WoodByWright well that’s a bummer

  • @bpower6362
    @bpower6362 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Great video. I've been thinking about getting the supplies to do this. I have a bunch of spalted stuff that is getting too punky to work with. This would work. :)

  • @jwydubak9673
    @jwydubak9673 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I am considering buying these tools myself and I can choose between a chamber with the valves on the lid or on the pot. Do you have any suggestions or comments.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I would get the valves on the lid. You want those as high as you can get them. You don't want accidental splashing to go back up and do a line.

  • @FredMcIntyre
    @FredMcIntyre 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks for the info James! 👍👊

  • @tstuff
    @tstuff 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Woah, I didn't realize I had the video set at 1.5x and just though you were way to excited about playing with your wood.

  • @simvik4743
    @simvik4743 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice relaxing video full of information. Thanks! :)

  • @PaulK390S90V
    @PaulK390S90V 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Do you have to let the blocks sit in the resin after your 2 cycles or once you let the final air back in you can pull them out? Great video, very helpful.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      once the air comes back in they are good to go. thanks Paul!

    • @PaulK390S90V
      @PaulK390S90V 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@WoodByWright Oh ok awesome. Thanks!

    • @davidaustin6962
      @davidaustin6962 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      but I noticed that when you pulled them out of the oven the sides looked as if there was no hardener on the surface ... you think it's still pulling it from residual vacuum in the wood fibers while it was sitting in the oven? Would be fine I suppose if the surface is coming off, but what if you just wanted to keep that surface, should you keep it in the solution for a bit longer at atmosphere before pulling them out?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@davidaustin6962 I think you are just seeing a trick of the camera. The wood fibers are solid all the way around.

  • @ads47
    @ads47 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    So if you have a void, I am assuming you stabilize it first then fill the void with epoxy?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Depending upon the application that is correct. Stabilization is when the wood is too punky or soft or rotten it can save the wood and harden it. Then you can fill the void afterwards. However you could just fill the void beforehand and then stabilize it afterwards but you would run the risk of damaging the wood when filling the void.

  • @geometrydash-krokoo-6503
    @geometrydash-krokoo-6503 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This was very good video but I have a few questions. Do you have to use vacuum chamber always or is it enough to leave the wood in cactus juice for a long time? For example a week or two. And does the wood need to be completely dry before the stabilization? Thank you for the answer.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Just soaking the wood for a few weeks. We'll get the resin a little ways into the wood, but it won't fully penetrate it. Even if you soaked it for a year or more it wouldn't make it all the way through. It does need to be dry. It doesn't have to be 100% dry though. Just very dry. Unless you're doing large pieces such as things more than 4 in a cross. Those you probably want to stick in the oven beforehand to make sure they're fully dry.

  • @PeroXepatonio
    @PeroXepatonio 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    thank you for sharing this knowledge

  • @rick91443
    @rick91443 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I find(and found this, the other day,) really interesting. Thanks James...rr

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      it is so much fun to play with!

  • @pauls.5815
    @pauls.5815 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Could you add dye or stain to the juice to color the wood?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  ปีที่แล้ว

      Sure, but that bottle will always be that color.

  • @Nickporter17
    @Nickporter17 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video on the topic! Thank youuuu

  • @abufas75
    @abufas75 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I always see people using toaster ovens in the shop for this. If a person doesn't want to leave that unattended in the shop, is there any problem using the oven in the home to accomplish this? Does the Cactus Juice off gas or something?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Cactus juice actually is not a problem at all in the main oven. All often put mine in there. I just use it in the toaster oven in the shop because it takes less energy to heat that up.

  • @franciscogallardo6083
    @franciscogallardo6083 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very clear and ilustrative, thank you for your video. I'm trying to learn because I want to start doing some things on wood and this video clarifies a lot my doubts about stabilizing wood. Can I ask you if vacuum is also the good way for stabilize wood + coloured resin?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      thanks. sure I know several people that will add color to the resin.

  • @dennisnebgen9049
    @dennisnebgen9049 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Is the oven you are using a forced air oven, gravity convection or does it not matter?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  ปีที่แล้ว

      It really doesn't matter. Mine's just a cheap kitchen oven. As long as it gets up the temperature that's the only thing that matters.

  • @charleswilliams4517
    @charleswilliams4517 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You were talking about Catus Juice but didn’t mention you have to add a hardner to it to make it work??

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      The hardener comes with it it's just a small container You don't add it when you use it you just add it when you get it. They don't add the hardener to the fluid at the factory because a tractor trailer delivering it may actually get hot enough to activate it. when it arrives at your house you can just add the hardener to it immediately and it can sit with the hardener in it for years as long as it doesn't get hot enough for it.

  • @clifforddurrance8234
    @clifforddurrance8234 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    What kind of wood can I stabilize? I have a hobby of making canes. My cane handles is usually made from soft wood.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      You can stabilize any wood you want. Sometimes with pine and other soft woods you have to leave it in a bit longer as it just takes a little longer for it to get into the small pores.

  • @TheRoundHound
    @TheRoundHound 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    how much weight does cactus juice add? thinking of stabilizing wooden drum sticks and they cant be too heavy.
    Great video btw!

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      It depends on the wood. But if they're made out of maple like most of them are it may only be a few grams.

  • @LarryDMitchell
    @LarryDMitchell 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I know this is a few years old but I pulled up your video via a search. I know that the excess Cactus Juice can be used later and that's a positive selling point. You didn't mention if the excess epoxy could be reused. Can it? Also what is the price difference between the Cactus Juice and Epoxy? Thanks...I'm definitely going to get into stabilization soon...just doing some research. Thanks

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Once epoxy is mixed it will cure, but whatever is left in the bottle would be good for the next time.

  • @kirkbyars243
    @kirkbyars243 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video. Is Cactus Juice a food safe product. Can I use it to stabilize wood for spoons and such?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      it does not state that on the label but like with epoxy I consider it food safe once cured. but everyone has a different level for what they consider "food Safe"

  • @OminousWalnut
    @OminousWalnut 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Do you want to add a stain before stabilizing? Or will the stain come out during stabilization? If it does come out will the wood still accept a stain after stabilization?
    Thank you for the video! Very informative!

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      it you want to add a stain do it after stabilization. the wood fibers will still absorb finish.

    • @OminousWalnut
      @OminousWalnut 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@WoodByWright thanks for the tip!

  • @Jmoe55
    @Jmoe55 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you, very informative!

  • @TomofAllTrades
    @TomofAllTrades 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Have you cut any blocks open to see if the wood is fully stabilized? I was thinking in terms of using a stabilized block then cut in half for knife handle scales. Great video . 👍🏼

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yes. As long as you leave it with enough time and in that case you'll probably want to dry it completely first. You can do that by vacuum drying the block before adding the stabilizing agent. Or heating it in an oven to around 200° overnight. But yes I have cut open several large blocks. I had a mallet head a few years ago that I stabilized and drilled the handle hole all the way through it afterward. And it was fully stabilized in the middle.

    • @TomofAllTrades
      @TomofAllTrades 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks so much. I want to start doing my own handle material. The price of the setup and resin would quickly pay for itself.

  • @texascrossbowdude636
    @texascrossbowdude636 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    if i wanted to make epoxy with wood or just epoxy knife scales I could just mix the "total boat" epoxy with dyes etc. with the wood in a silicon mold and skip the cactus juice process? meaning use the total boat epoxy and wood in a mold and put in the vacuum pot to take out the air bubbles and I'm good to go.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Not exactly. Most epoxy is too thick to enter the wood even with a Vaccume. Penitrating epoxy is thin enough, but will over heat if it is more then 1/4" thick.

    • @texascrossbowdude636
      @texascrossbowdude636 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@WoodByWright ok thx so I would need to stabilize first then can put into a mold with the epoxy and vacuum to remove air bubbles.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      that would give the best results.

  • @zedrx1490
    @zedrx1490 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Can you add dye to the Cactus Juice?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Sure. As long as you're okay with that batch, always being that color. Because you can reuse anything that doesn't get absorbed into the wood.

  • @Sausketo
    @Sausketo 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Does the wood not stop floating as the air gets sucked out?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Some times it will sink when the air is gone.

    • @Sausketo
      @Sausketo 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@WoodByWright wow! Thanks for the reply on such an old video, have you done any structural testing with it? Im picturing those popsicle stick bridges they make in engineering classes, but the with designs made of both woods, they could do same sticks by weight or volume, id also like to know about rot resistance

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It definitely increases the rot resistance. But for hardwoods it's not going to increase their resilience. It will increase their stiffness and it will make softer woods harder but for something like a popsicle stick that's made out of hard maple it won't change it much.

  • @choojoo946
    @choojoo946 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Hi sir , have you ever tried to stabilized with teak oil, that only thing I can afford

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Teak oil for any other polymerizing oil can help some but it doesn't actually stabilize the wood. It will just soak into the wood and very slowly polymerize. Depending upon the block that may take months or years. But it does help.

    • @choojoo946
      @choojoo946 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@WoodByWright thank you sir, can I dry it in the oven ?

  • @septegram
    @septegram 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I have some weathered wood that I want to use somewhat as it is. Will stabilizing change the surface character of the wood; make it shinier?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Stabilization will add material to the surface. You'll have to either sand or plane it back to bare wood in which case it'll be slightly darker than raw wood but once you add a finish to it then it will change it to whatever the color of the finish would naturally be. As to the tone of the wood it will have the same shine as raw wood. Depending upon what great you sanded it to

    • @septegram
      @septegram 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@WoodByWright Thanks for the information, and your speedy response, sir! Unfortunately, that would entirely change the character of the wood, and destroy the look of it. I'll have to figure something else out.
      Nevertheless, the information on stabilization will be useful for other future projects; thanks for that!

  • @woodricks7019
    @woodricks7019 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice video. I am not in the Cactus League yet as I recently started doing knife scales. I have made four knives with Ebony Macassar and have noticed some "puggyness" to the wood, especially after using and cleaning the knife for a week. Now I have two orders and think I should put the scales through the stabilizing process. Have you heard of using Winwax Wood Hardener with two parts Acetone?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      sounds like fun. yes that works like a penetrating epoxy in that it hardens the surface. it will not stabilize the wood from expansion and contraction but it will harden it down a bit into the wood.

  • @Almost_Baked
    @Almost_Baked 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    The link to the vacuum pot you provided says that this pot is not suitable for cactus juice and resin stabalizing. How has this held up for you so far?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It works fine. They put that in to protect them selves. Just do not let the pump suck in the liquid.

  • @gtcazusa
    @gtcazusa 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Cactus Juice - I was a little curious as to why you didn't mention the activator. You said it was a single fluid - but everywhere online has a small bottle of activator.
    So I read up a bit to see if you can actually still use the excess - it says that activated juice will have a shelf life of 1 year and unactivated 3 years.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Once it is activated it can last for years. I have a bottle I have been working on for 5 years now with no problem. They don't put the activator in it at the factory as it might get too hot in transport and harden.

  • @ricallen7273
    @ricallen7273 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Could you use a pressure cooker for the same effect

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      You might be able to modify it to connect to a vaccume pump and block the valve.

  • @VexChoccyMilk
    @VexChoccyMilk 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I have a piece of cocobolo about 2x4x6 inches with hairline micro cracks on the ends about 1/8-1/4" deep would this cactus juice work on cocobolo? Would it fill in these extremely thin cracks?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes. This would work perfectly there. You want to make sure you take that vacuum down as far as it can possibly go though It takes a bit more force to get it through that type of wood.

  • @fparadise1979
    @fparadise1979 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    very good video, i learned a lot! thank you!

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      My pleasure thanks for watching.

  • @alisamarie3881
    @alisamarie3881 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    So how hard does this wood become? If you were to stabilize a cutting board like this would the wood be resistant to chipping when someones using a hatchet against it?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      it all depends on the hatchet and how it was hit. but for the most part a fully stabilized peace of wood would react like a peace of very hard plastic.

    • @alisamarie3881
      @alisamarie3881 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@WoodByWright Ok thanks so much and great videos.

  • @RenzieCat
    @RenzieCat 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    does that cactua juice need an activator ? or just straight cactus juice ?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It comes with a small bottle of activator that you mix in when you first get it. It does not come pre-mixed because then if it gets too hot and transport it would solidify.

  • @plakor6133
    @plakor6133 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    2 questions, could you sort of re-hydrate dry wood by using water in the chamber, and are the cured resin infused pieces workable with hand tools, e.g., sloyd knives and hook knives?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes. Off and I will rehydrate would doing this but I will use raw linseed oil instead of water. That is much better for the wood and won't cause problems in the future as the water evaporates. And yes you can still work them with hand tools. It actually works very well with hand tools much better than it did before stabilization. As now you don't have to worry so much about grain Direction

    • @plakor6133
      @plakor6133 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@WoodByWright Thanks! I have been curious about this process as I have made spoons from such things as basin big sagebrush, the grain is beautiful but the item is kind of fragile. I was wondering if infusing would work for spoon blanks like this.

  • @ZayKnives
    @ZayKnives 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video! Thank you for the info.

  • @SFSoulCrooner
    @SFSoulCrooner 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video! Thank u. So for stabilizing you use the vacuum, but for removing bubbles from resin you use a pressure pump.? Is that correct? Thanks again. Total Beginner in San Fran 😀

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      both methods will remove bubbles. but it is easier to hold pressure then it is to hold a vacuum. With pressure, you compress the air bubbles tell they cannot be seen. with vacuum you remove the air from the resin.

  • @HovingtonInstruments
    @HovingtonInstruments 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Really well explained.. I’ve always been curious about the whole process. I’ve seen different colours in the past for the juice, is it dyes or you have to get the colour you want?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      You can add a dye to it and change it to whatever color you want. The only downside to that is once you dye it it is hard to reuse it.

  • @jennysmith3239
    @jennysmith3239 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I plan to make a 18”x24” wood cutting board that will not warp. It does not need to be food safe since it’s only for decoration.
    I am considering stabilizing the glued-up strips in order to prevent future moisture intake, which causes potential warping.
    Should I stabilize with Cactus Juice before or after I glue up the wood strips?
    Or should I glue up the smaller strips to make the cutting board, rough cut the board to be slightly bigger than my desired final board dimension, then submerge the entire cutting board in Cactus Juice (with the vacuum setup)?
    Is there a particular kind of glue I should use for this project?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      you can stabilize before glue up that will still glue fine as long as you plane down to new wood. as to glue if it is just for decoration and will not be getting wet then any glue will do, but if getting wet I would use epoxy.

    • @jennysmith3239
      @jennysmith3239 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Wood By Wright
      It sounds like you have made cutting boards out of stabilized wood before. Have your cutting boards warped/twisted/cupped?
      I thank you for suggesting epoxy glue. Is there a particular epoxy glue product you recommend?

  • @patrickbrady8326
    @patrickbrady8326 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I make guitars and some of the pieces I use are like 24x18x1" what do you suggest for larger pieces of wood?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      A larger vacuum chamber is always a possibility but usually very expensive. Most of the time at that size there's not much you can do other than using a penetrating epoxy

  • @BigMikeMora
    @BigMikeMora 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Do you have to use stablized wood right away? or can you store it and use it later when you decide what project you want to do with them?

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes you can store it for as long as you want.most of the time I don't stabilize things until they get close to the size that I want to work with.

  • @notabrit3025
    @notabrit3025 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Could i end up with a nice quality stabilization withouth a vaccumchamber, but instread just letting it soak for like a week or something? i kinda dont wanna spend alot of cash on a vaccum chamber, but i still wanna stabilise the wewd i got

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      For a few months you might get enough into it for a decent stabilization. But it would really take a lot for most woods.

  • @sebastian-ic1mz
    @sebastian-ic1mz 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    thank you

  • @17fatboy04
    @17fatboy04 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Can you do this to stabilize a rifle stock , I have a rifle stock with a couple of small cracks. It is unfinished wood....

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      sure as long as you can fit it in the vacuum pot.

    • @17fatboy04
      @17fatboy04 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@WoodByWright just one more question, with the cactus juice change the color of the rifle stock, trying to keep as natural color as I can

    • @17fatboy04
      @17fatboy04 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@WoodByWright also thinking of using the PVC pipe

  • @DavidPaulNewtonScott
    @DavidPaulNewtonScott 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    200 c is getting into the breakdown temperature of wood unless its fahrenheit. I an thinking boat construction and and termite proofing. I also wonder how cactus juice will take with resin dyes could be awesome, try red.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      F and yes you can add does to it.

  • @donatoam
    @donatoam 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hello! My name is Alexandre and I live in the Brazilian Amazon. Congratulations for your work! I want to ask: have you stabilized Pinus, that pallet wood? How is the result? Thank you.

    • @WoodByWright
      @WoodByWright  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes you can stabilize pine. it works fine!