Thread: info for newbie

About the only tool you need for those would be a 1/2 Round 2" spindle roughing gouge.

As far as making them waterproof, I don't think you can completely waterproof them.

Professionally stabilized wood will be waterproof, basically they are turned to plastic through impregnation, but don't believe anyone in Aus does it. I stabilize a lot of wood with Cactus Juice (product I get from the USA), but it fills any voids and makes it more dense, it doesn't make it 100% waterproof.

Using a decent CA finish, ie soaked in and then high build coat, will produce a waterproof layer but you may still have issues at end grain. For other applications where I wanted it waterproof I stabilized with Cactus, then after finish turning the shape soaked in in very thin CA, I gave it a high build CA finish. I buy my CA by the gallon

Like those two examples!!

Thanks for the info, as far stabilizing; the timber is not going to be sitting in water for extended periods but the cactus juice sounds interesting got more info you are willing to part with?
I use the CA after I have finished the seat, is it possible to get it in larger quantities than 5ml tubes?
The one in the pic with the hardware is just placed on and not finished yet. They were ones I was playing with.
Mark

Those little 5ml tubes are CA wash, so I do not recommend them. Best to buy from your local woodturning supplier in 1/2/4 oz bottles that come in thin/medium/thick, like Super Glue, for stabilizing use the thin. I get mine directly from a supplier in USA, but the min order is $300.

As for Cactus Juice, see TurnTex Woodworks - MesquiteMan's Cactus Juice. If you order, you will need to order the uncatalysed product, that only comes in the 1 gal container. 2x 1gal bottles fit in a large std international box, with room for dyes etc.

Thanks for the info, I'll look into it.
Mark