Reply by jeffthewoodwacker

You can stabilize your blanks by flowing thin or medium CA glue on them. Another alternative is build a vacuum chamber. Do not use glass!!!! If you use glass please have the number for 911 on speed dial – standard glass jars will not hold up under constant vacuum. You can build a cheap vacuum chamber from plywood. Also look around at Harbor Freight – they sometimes have metal canisters with lock down lids that you can drill out for vacuum fittings. I get 20-24 pounds on a regular basis. If you use the vacuum chamber you can either soak the material with CA glue or a 50-50 mixture of Titebond II glue and water. When I turn soapstone I will coat it liberally with the titebond II glue and water mixture and put it in the vacuum chamber. If needed I will do a second application. Google vacuum chambers and you will get a lot of information.

-- Those that say it can't be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.