[TheForge] Borax....

[Phlip]

My condolances on the steel plate- I've had days like that ;-)

> About the borax as a wood preserver/ fire retardant thread  ( was that
here
> or on keenjunk?).  We took some pieces of  walnut wood as samples to test,
> and following the suggestions, boiled some water and added borax till it
> stopped dissolving, then tossed the wood chunks in. The test was to see if
> the solution would discolor the wood. When the solution cooled, a  whole
> lot of borax came out of solution forming a solid mass in the bottom of
the
> pot and thoroughly coated the chunks of wood in a very stout mass of
> crystals..sorta like stuff left for years on the floor of a limestone
> cave...at least I assume that the wood is still in there. I'm real sure it
> is bug and fireproof now

Well, dear, the reason you were instructed to boil the water was so that
more of the borax would go into solution, thus allowing more of it to
penetrate the wood. It's a chemical thing- hotter the water, the more
material it will hold. And, as you noted, when it cooled, the excess (for
the cooler temperature) precipitated out. If you'd like to reclaim your
wood, reheat the whole mess, stirring until the borax goes back into
solution, fish the pieces of wood out, let them dry, and test them.

And next time, get the pieces out BEFORE you cool the solution
entirely....might be easier on your nerves.....

Phlip