Sealer question

[Rockfish9]

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...

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by Rockfish9

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

My mix is only 1 month old and I had to transfer the stuff into smaller containers to keep air out. I think over time the terp may be volatilizing/evaporating, leaving you with just the tung oil. The stuff I mixed recently is already getting thick and unworkable after one month. You may want to add more terp and thin it back down.

[Rockfish9]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

My mix is only 1 month old and I had to transfer the stuff into smaller containers to keep air out. I think over time the terp may be volatilizing/evaporating, leaving you with just the tung oil. The stuff I mixed recently is already getting thick and unworkable after one month. You may want to add more terp and thin it back down.

wasn't no thinning this stuff down... when i say it turned to jelly.. I mean i coulod have spread it on bread... what a mess!

The idea was noble.. but I think I need to move on..

[Back Beach]

Joe,

I actually just went home for lunch and read the side of my tung oil jug. It recommended 50/50 tung and terps for the first coating, then it says to make sure no air gets to it otherwise it will polymerize. Its obviously a good product, but next time I will only mix what I need for the current dip.

[Rockfish9]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Joe,

I actually just went home for lunch and read the side of my tung oil jug. It recommended 50/50 tung and terps for the first coating, then it says to make sure no air gets to it otherwise it will polymerize. Its obviously a good product, but next time I will only mix what I need for the current dip.

LMAO.. who reads directions... yup it sure did polymerize...

[ed morini]

I don't post much, but I have been reading postings since my signing on.
I have watched the discussion concerning sealing with interest over the years. I have not done alot of plugs, but I have done boatloads (literally) of wood used in and around the water. I have found that for longevity you cannot beat sealing with epoxy. I have done both methods, 1 where you heat the stock apply the epoxy and then rapidly cool it to allow absorption into the stock and two a thinned epoxy mixture. The thinned epoxy works best, and is far more economical than using the regular mix. I use a mixture of 1 part of mixed (the epoxy should be solvent free)with 3 parts of either acetone or xylene(better). There are several commercial sealers available, but these are around $90/gallon, way to much. I buy my epoxy from Raka Marine and the mixed sealer works out to about $30/gallon, in line with most other sealers used in plug making. The sealer can be mixed in any quantity needed, the addition of the xylene greatly increases the pot life so there is plenty (hours) of time to soak and drip. It should be noted that different woods seal differently, hardwoods do have pores so the absorption is greater than in the softwoods that have no pores. Just a thought.

Prof M Thanks for the reel its been great, better was meeting up with you, need another tool holder for Vega please pm with cosatrs

Thanks

Ed