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As far as the seaing/drying properties of the tung blend are concerned, I've had no issues, in fact i like it ALOT.., they dry in 24 hours... however, I bought, a pre-mixed mixture.... not pure tung oil, which from what I have read, has simular drying properties to BLO....
I recently have had a dilema with the product it'self... I used it during the last of my building months last season, capped it for the summer... opened it and used it to start this season, all seemed fine... after dipping a few dozen plugs, I noticed the mixture rapidly getting thicker... to the point where it turned to jelly... overnight... My guess is, once i introduced air into the system, and mixed it, the old mixture began to cure, it even took on a stale varnish type odor....because of the cost,I'm not sure I will try it again, IMHO, sealing the plugs is not rocket science, as the Professor said, protecting the end grain and belly holes are first priority,, it doesnt take much to protect the inside....
As far as epoxy sealing.. way too much touble to save a hunk of wood.. expensive too..
I am experimenting with a 50/50 mixture of oil modified urethain and BLO with a splash of penetrol cut by 40% oderless mineral spirits....it dries quickly, I just need to cut the test peices to check penetration.. My hope is that the BLO will aid the pentration.. and the urethain wil help harden the wood... if all else fails I;'ll go back sealing with BLO... it really did not treat me all that badly, and I used it for many years, never splitting a plug.. not even poplar.. which splits evewn it it is near water..... and it's cheap...
the end game for me is simple, i;m not selling them, if they last a few seasons, fine.. it gives me a reason to make more...
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