THO Game Calls Forums
The Art of Handcrafting Custom Game Calls => Stabilizing Your Own Blanks => Topic started by: Scott Ashburn on January 07, 2014, 03:56:32 PM
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one of the things I've learned since I joined up here last week, was the wealth of information here. In that info, I learned about the stabilization of certain woods, specifically Spalted woods. I've got a bunch of spalted Sycamore, and Spalted Hackberry, that I've put off the side, because I didn't like it, and didn't know what to do with it. This Stabilization process may just be what I need to utilize these woods into turkey calls. I have an old fish aquarium, approx. 10X20, that might make a good chamber. My question is, do you think an old aquarium will work? If so, all I need to get is a plexiglass top. I have an old a/c vacuum pump at work that I never use anymore for work, so I have most of the pieces. Anybody want to chime in on weather or not it will work? Thanks.
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I know that I wouldn't use it!! I would think that if you pull a complete vacum it would probably implode!!!
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I know that I wouldn't use it!! I would think that if you pull a complete vacum it would probably implode!!!
That's what I was wondering about. Might just have to make me a chamber, or buy one cheap.
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found a 13x10x3 vacuum chamber on ebay for $117, for stabilizing wood. Do you think this is a good deal?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BHO-VACUUM-CHAMBER-SILICONE-URATHANE-DEAIRING-STABILIZE-WOOD-BURL-MAKING-MOLDS-/121249701881
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If you want to do the valve work. This should do the trick for you. IMHO. Others may want to chime in....
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CSG0ON2/ref=pe_385040_30332190_TE_M3T1_ST1_dp_1
Lon
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You won't find a better product or better product support than you'll find from Curtis at TurnTex right here on this forum. The fish tank idea probably won't hold water, literally.
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If you want to do the valve work. This should do the trick for you. IMHO. Others may want to chime in....
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CSG0ON2/ref=pe_385040_30332190_TE_M3T1_ST1_dp_1
Lon
thanks, I was looking for something that I could at least put 2 or 3 blanks in and stabilize at the same time. Saw several 3 and 5 gallon ones
for similar pricing, but figure that's way too big. Does this Curtis guy sell vacuum chambers?
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Yes, he sells small ones too, and they're very reasonably priced.
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Jon Kennedy also sells chambers. Jon's are glass cylinders of various sizes. He also offers a "dry system" that allows pulling a vacuum dry then adding resin, which shortens the overall vacuum time. I have one of Jon's and have been very happy with it. Curtis makes a great chamber, too... square, clear pvc/acrylic. Last I checked he was 2-3 months backordered. I don't know if Jon is backordered.
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Yes, Curtis makes Vaccum chambers, rectangular and round upright types. www.turntex.com is his site address. I have one of his round chambers and have had no problems from it. Go to his site, get his phone number and give him a call, evenint 6pm to midnite.
Ray
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To whomever modified my post with "you can't do that and you know better", please drop me a pm and let me know what I did that I shouldn't have done. If there is some historic issue here, I apologize as I'm unaware of it.
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I should have stated the size of the latch lid acrylic vessel for information. It is 8" high and 8" in diameter. I believe there would be plenty of room for a number of blanks. Parts for the valves amount to less than $25.00
Lon
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Find a used paint pot on Craigslist. If you get a 2 1/2 to 5 gallon pot, you can get smaller containers to use inside of it, I use old Tupperware containers so I only have to use the amount of resin I need. Change out the pressure gauge to a vacuum gauge and replumb the hoses. Best source of information is on International Association of Penturners, they were doing stabilization years before callmakers.
Marvin
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I put a bid on one of the vessels on Ebay. Should find out if I won the auction tomorrow night. If so, I'll be 75% there to start stabilizing.