Bone/antler stabilisation
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I stabilize using vacuum, material submerged in a special resin, then room pressure, then heat curing.
Antler works well, bone not so much, as it is already dense. I use the dense part of cow bone, not the marrow part.
Antler works well, bone not so much, as it is already dense. I use the dense part of cow bone, not the marrow part.
Got any pictures of your set up, im in the process of looking at setting something like this up myself and am always interested to see what others have done, what resin do you use, do you have any issues with the resin impregnating solid antler & bone?
PM me your email, I can show you the machines.
The curing I do by a simple, cheap toaster oven.
I wrap the pieces in Alu foil.
The resin I use is called Cactus Juice, but no doubt you can find others.
I mainly stabilize wood.
The curing I do by a simple, cheap toaster oven.
I wrap the pieces in Alu foil.
The resin I use is called Cactus Juice, but no doubt you can find others.
I mainly stabilize wood.
Let me know if you struggle. There are a few folk I know that have actually got a set-up sorted.
Sorry, i dont give out my email address to people i dont know, can you not just post pictures up in this thread?
Cheers Stew
Sorry, I do not post pictures of the interior of my home/workshop on an open internet site...
But it is really simple. A strong large glass jar ( large canning jar), Plexiglass plate for a lid, seal made using dental impression ( polyvinyl siloxane) I replace after each use, a valve system, Vacuum pump.
The difficult part was to find a good quality large glass jar, I imploded a few before I found a good one.
Shrunk a large S/s pot.
But it is really simple. A strong large glass jar ( large canning jar), Plexiglass plate for a lid, seal made using dental impression ( polyvinyl siloxane) I replace after each use, a valve system, Vacuum pump.
The difficult part was to find a good quality large glass jar, I imploded a few before I found a good one.
Shrunk a large S/s pot.
Bone: If you use only the compacta ( the hard outer layer) - I have not felt or perceived any benefit. Putting some superglue on the almost finished surface ( I do this before the last two sanding grades) gives the same result.
If you use the whole bone, including the spongiosa ( where the marrow is, the part with lots of holes) you get a solid material there.
I do not use that part though. I use fresh, well boiled beef bone, and feel the bone marrow is still present.
Antler: As the inside is porous, you get this part to be solid and strong.
I like to go an extra step with (reindeer) antler. I cut it to a overlarge length, then boil it gently. Dry vewry well.
Then do the stabilization.
I use antler for knife handles, and handles in general, so like a bit of strength.
Traditionally, it was not stabilized, but still very strong and functional. I do not think any Saame artisan stabilizes the antlers.
I just like to do unnecessary things!
If you only use the hard part of the antler, for buttons, scales and plaques, that part is very strong as it is.
If you use the whole bone, including the spongiosa ( where the marrow is, the part with lots of holes) you get a solid material there.
I do not use that part though. I use fresh, well boiled beef bone, and feel the bone marrow is still present.
Antler: As the inside is porous, you get this part to be solid and strong.
I like to go an extra step with (reindeer) antler. I cut it to a overlarge length, then boil it gently. Dry vewry well.
Then do the stabilization.
I use antler for knife handles, and handles in general, so like a bit of strength.
Traditionally, it was not stabilized, but still very strong and functional. I do not think any Saame artisan stabilizes the antlers.
I just like to do unnecessary things!
If you only use the hard part of the antler, for buttons, scales and plaques, that part is very strong as it is.
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