[TheForge] Borax....

Sat Sep 28 22:16:06 2002

At 07:42 AM 9/28/02, you wrote:
>Thanks Phlip..will try that and a weaker solution so  as to get better 
>soak time as well.

AND, thanks too Michael...I knew I was getting in over my head to begin 
with, but that's never stopped me from trying before. Think I might have a 
chance now if i were starting from scratch...ah, self education is like 
that.....PF

>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
>
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