How to Stabilize Stone using a Vacuum Chamber and Cactus Juice Resin

In this video I will demonstrate how to stabilize stone using a vacuum chamber and cactus juice resin. I will explain not only how this is done but why. I added links below to material, supplies and other videos. Thank you for watching.
Link to vacuum chamber and pump kit:
Ablaze 5 Gallon Gal Tempered Glass Lid Vacuum Degassing Purge Chamber (Pressure Pot) with Pump Kit for Resin Casting, Wood Stabilizing, Epoxy, Extraction Kit a.co/d/d1eK326
Link to cactus juice:
Cactus Juice Stabilizing Resin for Woodworking-1 Gallon a.co/d/fgWGUKe
Link to faberware oven:
Farberware Brand 25L 6-Slice Toaster Oven with Air Fry, French Door, FW12-100024316 www.walmart.com/ip/917700860
Another fellow KZbinr video on stabilizing:
• Stabilizing Rock With ...

[@donpalmer4155]

In Baking, A Convection Oven (with wind) setting is set 50 degrees less the temperature of a Conventional Oven (standard oven, no wind) due to the wind blowing off the air cushion of the baked item. Also, the bake time is reduced by 5 minutes on the hour. Excellent Video! I had no idea stone could be stabilized.

[@jasonfleishman9884]

You are undervalued. I should have paid for your experience.

[@carriemarson7722]

I appreciate knowing what you have learned along the way!

[@danblake3265]

Once you achieve the desired vacuum, (which you did almost immediately) There's no need to continue running the pump that's what the handles for . turn it off and the container should maintain the vacuum,; if it doesn't you have an air leak. When the bubbles stop there's no pointing having the minute vacuum any longer is done all it will do.

[@MrWhoDatIsMe]

Exactly, your wasting your pump by running it the whole time. Just close the valve and let it sit. If it bleeds down you’ve got a leak, fix it. And once you’ve got a full vacc just let it sit over night!

[@jackiecaselton962]

Dan, I'm new to this, just got my pot, and even bought a bigger pump, hoping it would keep it from over heating. So what your saying is basically once the pot reaches maximum vacuum, if I turn of the motor it will lock in the vacuum and continue to vaccuum, with out me having to have to turn the pump back on. If this is true, why in the heck does everyone keep turning the pump back on? It makes total sense if you dont see that your valve has decreased in vacuum why turn it back on. I will check this out for sure. Thank you for this info. Again it totally makes sense, since same goes with a pressure pot.

[@jackiecaselton962]

@@MrWhoDatIsMe if I leave it over night does that mean I'm going to have to try to get the valve to bleed so slowly that it takes all night. Not that it would ever take that long. But in all the videos they say how ever long you vacuum when you allow the cactus juice to get sucked back into the stones, your supposed to let it go the same amount of time.

[@melnordquist4061]

I really appreciate this video. I have watched a lot of KZbin vids. You did a great job. I will certainly be using this method.

[@richardbinell2053]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Much appreciated. Wow. And lovely cabs at the end.

[@hilaryloupee195]

Great video! We are doing our first batch now with your method.

[@dannellewoody1608]

This was a great video i learn a lot for you guys, thank you!

[@doledesigns5938]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jmsdvs5]

Wonderful video, I’m very particular on who I watch nowadays but I think you put that information out very well. I liked and subscribed. Also shared your video.

[@doledesigns5938]

Awesome, thank you! I truly appreciate your feedback!!

[@traviscalton3615]

Which way do you like best? Thank you so much for these videos, I have tried your previous method of this with the acetone. I am in the process of getting cactus juice and an oven, and then I will try this way. Also I would love to learn more from you guys and would watch more of your videos. Thanks from your friend in Utah Travis.

[@doledesigns5938]

Most definitely like this way best!! It’s a lot faster and I feel the cactus juice is a better resin. Once baked in, the difference is amazing. Keep in mind some stones may require stabilizing a couple of times, but most just once works great. If you are just now getting a vacuum chamber I definitely recommend the 5 gallon.

[@janieridd1325]

Thank you for making the video. If I stabilize a rock that has crystals and druzies, will they still be as sparkly? Thank you.

[@salwaelshazly735]

Thank you for your video I’m training stabilizing turquoise from 3 years with acceptable results and I believe moisture percentages is very important factore for successful job do you have any information

[@streuthify]

What is the best way to stabilize turquoise chalk? I stabilized it once already with your other 330 & Acetone technique and it’s still not quite there. or should I just do it a second time? Or try this technique? Thanks so much

[@VersaiOnline]

Did you start uploading to a different channel? Did you make a video for the Opticon method?

[@tahomyjo]

So what do you do with all your stabilized stones? Do you offer them for sale? You surely couldn’t be producing this much jewelry, it would take me a lifetime to cab all those rocks but oh how FUN it would be. So wouldn’t it be better beings I’m not someone that goes out and collects stones to just purchase them already stabilized? I am sincerely hoping for a reply from you :) Thank you 🙏

[@tahomyjo]

Forgot to mention that I do have a high tech flat lap machine and just getting into making my own cabs but just need to figure out the best methods of purchasing the turquoise

[@jaivijayzaveri7407]

Wonderful. How do you stabilize Ruby Rough? I have plenty of this and want to make BRIOLETTE AND FLAT DROPS ETC. and cabochons from it?

[@MrWhoDatIsMe]

Stabilizing ruby is a different process. And if you can get it done, best left to professional stone cutters, then you have to by law, make sure to inform any potential customers that it is stabilized stone.

[@MrWhoDatIsMe]

Actually, Ruby is fracture filled using a process using heat as part of it. Unless your in the business, it’s an expensive and timely process, and you must inform any potential customers that it’s been treated.

[@weathervaneterrace7636]

I have ordered all the equipment, and have watched the video about a half-dozen times to make sure that I do it correctly when ready. Has anyone stabilized Petoskey stone, (hexagonaria), before, and if so, what were the results? I appreciate any feedback in advance. Thank-you.

[@leetrader9576]

Can this be done on Mississippi Opal?

[@davideph6497]

Thank you so much for sharing… but…. I am having a hard time- I just got my vacuum chamber system today and my first attempt with turquoise was a huge failure. The cactus juice hardened in the chamber about two hours or so into the process with the turquoise now locked in a ball of hardened resin. I set it up outside so I am guessing that it was too hot outside- please let me know what you think caused this issue?

[@doledesigns5938]

I have honestly never heard of that happening. It is however important to keep the cactus juice stored in a cool environment.

[@jackiecaselton962]

Sheryl, can you stabilize Charoite, and Saraphinite? I have bought slabs of both and have noticed when I use my cab cutting saw sometimes it will break off the path I was trying to cut along, plus when I try to cab a piece, I'll start working the cab and a little piece here or there will start breaking off. Or I'll get it almost all shaped and boom it will break in half or the edges will chip off. Or some people slice a cab real thick so you try to thin it down and once again the edges will chip or crack off. I just know Seraphinite and Charoite are very fibrous, so I wondered if they can or should be stabilized and no one told me?

[@elainelily9910]

I had the same problem with charoite...almost like the stuff is in layers. I solved it by using thin superglue on the problem area and then sprinkled baking soda over it to harden it. Worked.

[@user-cm3gc4vx2t]

Can you do this with a soft jet stone? As it is organic I wasn't sure if it would react differently .

[@doledesigns5938]

I’m not sure, I have done very soft Azurite and would give jet a try.

[@beckypratt3662]

Quick question, how do you properly dispose of the mixture after you've used it twice?

[@beckypratt3662]

Or rather the acetone/resin solution in the previous video. Thanks in advance. 🙂

[@MrWhoDatIsMe]

Cactus Juice can be used for up to and sometimes over a year if you keep it clean and cool in its original container, gallon jug, or whatever size you get.

[@menow.]

There is no way that turquoise is 7-7.5 in hardness before stabilizing. That is as hard or harder than quartz!

[@sonuverma2796]

Did you use 235 degree Celsius or 235 degree ferinite temperature

[@noiseguru3981]

Ferenheit

[@craigkling5125]

Damn! Eight minutes of justification lecture

[@user-zq7wk7ku5f]

So I got all my equipment and started stabalizing. Then my husband seen the gage get to 29 (which took about 3 min)and turns the pump off, he says the instructions say to never leave pump on once it reaches that. So after about an hr he turns it back on for a cpl min.....so now were arguing! Your video says to leave it run till it gets hot, let it cool turn back on.... who's right?

[@SirRocksAlot]

I just read your comment after starting my own new pump and also finishing this video. I tend to agree with your other half. As l Iong as it's a good seal, the gauge is close to -30 and it seems to hold its negative pressure then the air is being pulled out of your material. Leaving it on may be the reason hers is getting so hot. I video'd mine and hopefully will be starting my own channel. Turquoise , opal, a few other materials and some lapidary.

[@MrWhoDatIsMe]

Sorry, he’s totally correct! As long as there are not leaks, it should hold a pretty good vacuum for quite awhile.

[@doledesigns5938]

Everyone feels comfortable doing it in different ways. This is how I was taught, however that’s not to say another method will not work just as well. When I get a good seal my guage is pegged and I continue turning it off and on as it gets hot until bubbles dissipate.

[@robinbray]

Your husband is correct. This KZbinr is needlessly burning up her pumps.

[@parikshitchaudhary6240]

The resin is not going through and just stuck on the surface

[@doledesigns5938]

You may need to vacuum longer or do it twice. Several stones require a repeat of stabilizing.

[@MrWhoDatIsMe]

You can only stabilize certain materials with this kind of product. And actually for stones I’d recommend Opticon. It’s made for stabilizing stones.