Stabilizing Resin

Tim Finley · May 20, 2020, 10:40:31 AM

I have been stabilizing wood with resin for a number of years, I have used mainly Cactus Juice, lately I used Stickfast and had good results .
Getting ahold of someone at either place is hard no one answers the phone and if I leave a message no one returns my calls . I have been buying the resins off the E site . I want to try another brand that may be more readily available and alittle less money 2 or 3 gallons doesn't last long and at over $100 a gallon it gets quite expensive . Has anyone tried BVV resin ? Is it the same as Stickfast and Cactus Juice ? Is it imported or made in the USA ?

Pine · May 20, 2020, 12:02:06 PM

Minwax Wood Hardener works and you can find it in most any hardware or home improvement store.

PS: it's acrylic desolved in acetone. You can make your own by filing plexiglass and putting it in the acetone.

monterey · May 20, 2020, 01:13:03 PM

Quote from: Pine on May 20, 2020, 12:02:06 PM
Minwax Wood Hardener works and you can find it in most any hardware or home improvement store.

PS: it's acrylic desolved in acetone. You can make your own by filing plexiglass and putting it in the acetone.

Who'd a thunk that!

Flem · May 21, 2020, 09:21:34 AM

I don't think I would use the Minwax or plexiglas dissolved in acetone with my vacuum pump. The seals are not made to be used with solvents, especially hot ones.

Tim Finley · May 21, 2020, 09:35:21 AM

No that's not a vacuum type resin .

Mad Max · May 21, 2020, 10:39:27 AM

I saw a guy on youtube with the minwax and a mason jar vacuum it into knife scales until the bubbles stopped.

monterey · May 21, 2020, 12:21:48 PM

I used the minwax to "foot" shafts by leaving them upright in 3 inches of hardener for a few hours. It made a big difference in toughness.

4 point · May 21, 2020, 12:28:59 PM

Personally I wouldn't use anything that isn't catalyzed. A friend of mine stabilizes wood for turning. I'll visit with him this weekend and see what he's using. He said it was cheaper than cactus juice.

BigJim · May 22, 2020, 10:49:16 PM

You can order cactus juice off of his website. buy 4 gallons for about $280 including shipping.

I have used cactus juice, stickfast, and ultraseal. The bvv stuff in the blue jug is likely ultraseal but can't say for sure.

Of all, I liked the ultraseal the most and the stickfast the least, but they all worked well. I quit using the ultraseal mostly because the salesman was a dick! ... and I had to order $4000 at a time to get it at a decent price.

I'm currently using cactus juice but am always open to new options.
BigJim