I have not made a vacuum box. However, my initial thoughts are that it would have to be sturdy enough to stand drawing an atmosphere, or so, of pressure.
As to coatings, go thee to a library and order in some of the newly published finish books for the woodworking fraternity. I'd suggest a getting few, as each author has their own ideas about preference3s and usage. Then just start comparing the tables of finishes. As well, reading thru a couple of them is giant leap for stock-finisher kind.
After vacuum impregnation and extraction the wood will not be a solid chunk of fossilized finish. With enough trial and error [scientific method ;~`)], most of the initial sealant varnish will be pulled right back out of the wood. In a lab, it has been demonstrated that it is nearly impossible to extract all of a liquid finish from a piece of sample wood. With some more trial and error, the minimal required residual amount needed can be established, by means of measurements of microscope and scale.
The exterior pores should have plenty of 'tooth' to take stains and finishes to achieve the final look. However, the traditional filling and polishing process should go quicker, as the fibers and vesicle walls are already sealed.
A dye could also be incorporated in a pre-finish impregnation vacuum process to stain the wood. As well, a tint could be given to the sealant varnish. Great colorants are on the woodworker finishing marget today. Lots and lots of mebbes, eh?
Unfortunately for my own continued participation, I have all the joys of self-employment, with very little time to follow up this suggestion. It's been in mind for at least a decade, every since I saw at a conservation seminar, the results of some impregnation/extraction tests of stabilizers used on historic wood
So, I end as I started: for the general weal. Finish tinkers and those of inquisitive mind are welcome to the idea. My own life is full, so even tho I think that the idea has merit, it is quite unlikely that I shall ever do more about it than to post it here and offer it as I have.
Happy hunting, one and all. Feel free to E-mail me, or get my phone number if you wish to discuss this. However, first read Hoadley and a couple of modern finish books, as most the answers to questions already lie within them. OTOH, if you just want to talk 'guns', what da heck? After 9PM, West End of lake Erie time,pliz.;~`)
Powder smoke and a dog; what more for happiness?
Yeah, right: I already thot of THAT! ;~`)
Last edited by JohnM; 01/19/09 01:50 PM.
