How to easily Vacuum Stabilize wood with Cactus Juice

[@michaelogden5958]

This is a very good "nuts and bolts" presentation! (Public Service Announcement - I don't mean to steal DITeasycrafts thunder, and I get absolutely no compensation for my recommendation) For those who want to really geek out on Cactus Juice stabilization, the Turners TV channel has a video "Live Demo- Curtis Seebeck- The Science and Art of Stabilizing and Dyeing Wood" presented by Curtis Seebeck - the guy who came up with Cactus Juice. Cheers!

[@sreelbalinc1]

Thanks for the video and instructions. Something to note: That lead weight soaking in your resin can transfer lead salts into your cactus juice and therefore into everything you use that resin for making them slightly toxic to handle with bare hands regularly. You might want to consider using something besides bare lead to weigh your items down. or maybe put in in a cup or in a plastic bag if you absolutely have to use that lead to weigh your items down. It simply adds unneeded contaminants into your final products. Great instructional video though overall. Thanks for sharing.

[@j.r.hewitt3753]

I make knives as a hobby, and I really want to get into stabilizing wood for knife scales. This video is helpful. Thanks!

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Go for it. What a great way to improve your end product

[@CartoonFan18]

It'll quench ya! Nothing's quenchier! It's the quenchiest!

[@ZENMASTERME1]

Thanks for putting this video up! I was wanting to know the difference between stabilization and not stabilizing wood.

[@jeffputnam8554]

I have been thinking of getting the equipment to do wood stabilizing. This video was helpful.

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@franotoole2702]

Good simple vid Dan. Little tip on the resin. Try and keep your light and dark woods and resin seperate. The tannins from some darker woods will stain lighter woods.

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Really appreciate the info. I noticed the cactus juice got darker after the soak!

[@franotoole2702]

@@DIYeasycrafts yeah it can be a dam pain. Its fine for doing batches of the same wood, but mixed batches are a pain. Best to have 2 or 3 seperate containers for light, medium and dark woods and try and do them in seperate batches

[@scottadams2624]

Very helpful. Going to use my kit for the first time today or tomorrow. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Good luck! Dont leave the pump running. I cracked my lid. Just bring it up to pressure ad then leave it as per instructions

[@pilotx8358]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@DIYeasycrafts]

You're welcome!

[@enjohneering9673]

This was a very helpful guide! Have you ever tried this without a vacuum? Perhaps with an extremely extended soak period? I have a large piece that is very fragile I'd like to stabilize, but I have yet to find a vacuum chamber that could accommodate it.

[@MrBAMAREDNECK]

After this process can you put the wood in a pressure pot and epoxy resin colors?

[@mikecrockett3669]

Great video. Thank you for sharing.

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Thanks for watching!

[@RogerF]

Did you leave your vacuum running for 12 full hours or can you shut it off?

[@DIYeasycrafts]

I left mine running but ended up cracking the top cover. Now I turn it off

[@roosterconlon]

great and informative video! How did that piece of leather turn out? Did it harden and accept the cactus juice well or did it curl when it was put into the oven? Thanks for taking your time to respond.

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Leather did not turn out good at all. Sorry

[@frequency79]

Good job thank you for this information 👏🔥

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MLightstone]

Love it!

[@richm.1583]

The cactus juice had turned dark from the 1st use; If I understand right the juice can be reused for up to a year. Will the dark color from previous stabilizations ruin projects down the road?

[@DIYeasycrafts]

The juice will work but may darken lighter material

[@kensmapleleafretirement]

Thank you for the information and demonstration. All new to me... I want to make knives for my Grandkids to keep. Be well....

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Very welcome

[@davidvandenberg6378]

Thanks for the video, now we can all make doorable wood.

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Go for it!

[@Baldmanblades]

How did the bark turn out I was wondering If I could leave some on some large pieces of Buckeye borrow that I have

[@DIYeasycrafts]

I was not thrilled with it. It got hard but not hard enough to use on its own. casting it in resin would work

[@dumitrupascale7758]

The vacuum pump run all time ? I run my pump over 6 hours and the buble not stop .

[@DIYeasycrafts]

No as long as pressure holds no need to run the pump

[@dbeez1075]

Hi, I have just started stabilising wood and I've found that while the pump is on its smoking continuously, and some oil covers the top of pump around exhaust. Also I'm finding after soaking for up to 24 hours the wood floats to surface. I thought the wood should not float. Can you advise please?

[@clamshell99]

Up to what size wood will the Cactus Juice penetrate? I need to stabilize some spalted stock about 3" X 3" X 4" (7.7cm X 7.7cm X 10cm).

[@DIYeasycrafts]

You should be good. I have not done it myself but have seen others stabilize larger blocks

[@hankbackofen8000]

What size is your vacuum pot?

[@jdshanahan4215]

Was just curious how you like that vacuum pump and chamber set up. I was looking at getting one really similar and wasn’t sure if it was any good.

[@DIYeasycrafts]

It was ok but the lid started to crack. Still works but I really can not give it the best recommendation.

[@jdshanahan4215]

@@DIYeasycrafts thank you for the response and feedback. Helps make my decision even easier.

[@jstuart8651]

What kind of pump and setup did you use?

[@cindymccloud7188]

How do you know when you have cooked the wood long enough?

[@DaveMakesKnives]

Thanks for the video. My Bacoeng vacuum chamber just came in and the instructions say to turn off the pump once the needle on the gauge stops moving or else the chamber might implode. So I am scared to run the chamber for hours. I'd really appreciate your thoughts! I noticed you are also using a Bacoeng chamber, although mine is only the 1.5 gallon.

[@678friedbed]

no, just run the pump till the gauge stops moving the shut it off.

[@davidbunney3497]

A dumb question ? Should they Still Float after they r infused with Cactus Juice ?? Shouldn’t they sink ???…

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Most wood sinks but some will float

[@DarkmatterCactus]

Well done

[@whitebeard420]

Can I cook it in my oven or what? I was wanting to find a more in depth description of the use of this. It is a good vidja, but I see your using a toaster oven.... but your also indoors it appears. So....... I dont know, my wood has been soaking in a vacuum chamber for about 12hrs and I'm ready to cook it.

[@DIYeasycrafts]

I would not want to cook food in same oven used for wood stabilization. Toaster ovens are cheep

[@jinkazama9017]

Is there an EU equivalent of Cactus Juice?:)

[@DIYeasycrafts]

I just do not know sorry

[@bumstudios8817]

Amazing!

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@bumstudios8817]

@@DIYeasycrafts I wonder if this works on cheap wood like pine or even plywood?

[@hassanal-mosawi4235]

Happy new year to All

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Same to you

[@tolleson49]

You should never turn your vacuum off before closing the vacuum side valve. Always close valve first. If you don’t you can ruin your vacuum very fast.

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Thanks for the info did not know that

[@makerspace533]

The vacuum in the chamber can pull air (and oil) back through the pump and into the chamber, not good.

[@GTA-qv8pk]

So this isn't actual cactus juice you can get out of a cactus?

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Its a product called cactus juice