We have reached a milestone of sorts
Today I mailed the 4th batch of 'evaluation' stems. As stated, all stems are on a green kick. All natural untreated vape path with a Shellac finish to fix the color on the exterior. Shellac is not IPA, rubbing alcohol, or even Everclear resistant which also makes it a great finish to remove easily as well. I can only think that this choice is the best universal option. And therefore, I am not waxing the piece either as wax can really mess with subsequent finishes. Fortunately, this material is dense enough that it will not ready draw in wax either.
Things I've noticed in care and feeding of Quince stems is a fairly short list.
1) Twist your VC to install or remove the VC to/from the VC port. Dynavap did us a great favor not making the VC just a cylinder with o-rings. there is purpose behind the cut.
2) If ever needed, the color is easily restored with some 600-800 grit sandpaper. A simple oil finish with wax will bring forth the texture of this material. It will dull over time in this configuration but can again be restored with a simple light sanding. I personally believe that even with no finish, these stems will remain viable for years. The texture of the bare wood was the first thing that drew my attention to this species. I urge recipients to experience this for themselves.
3) I am very much counting on the fact that vape oils are a perfect natural protector if the vape path. I might suggest the smaller Bambo skewers to occasionally clear the stem. Of course, if you do your own finish, washing these in alcohol shouldn't bother them a bit. Haven't tried a soak yet in ISO. Need to do that.
4) The wood will get warm to hot near the VC depending on your heating methods and rip requirements. I like a good hot bowl. I have tested this material to extremes. You will notice some 'glossing' of the Shellac near the VC port. No worries, antiquing is in progress.
5) Several of the stems have accommodations to at least try to seal into waterworks. 10 and 14mm adapters may work. Feedback on that will be appreciated. The wood itself lives in clay. I would not worried about it taking on water or swelling. The torpedo style should be most forgiving in a glass port.
6) If for some reason the VC port continues to shrink, the material will let you 'shave' the walls. A 5/16" or 8mm drill-bit will make quick work of restoring the VC port if you got a hand steady enough. Mine aren't but I can still chase the port.
Short of my obsession with thin walls these are fairly robust. Even when I cracked a few early units, the wood doesn't shrink away from the split. They still functioned. Just another example of why this material is so fascinating.
@Diggy Smalls -
@Planck - and
@TheThriftDrifter Thank you all for encouraging my education and reaching to the dawn of phase 2.
What did we learn in phase 1?
1) Can't just dismiss nature for being universal. Every species has its own miracle bound within.
2) Working with the live elements of wood at the moment of harvest introduces an interesting new medium that can be exploited.
3) Harvest requires action. After 5 months of reasonably careful analysis I've given this material a short vitality window. I haven't decided if the coring is required but the bark removal within a month or so is absolutely vital. Either peeled or turned, all the pulp mass must be removed before it has a chance to harden. A shorter window is available if the harvest are short lengths.
4) I am more than convinced that the mineral content enjoys a transformation. Furthermore, I have greater certainty that this is true of all plant species at wildly varying degrees. In the case of the Flowering Quince, these minerals act as a hardener/stabilizer. My pet name for this material stone-wood. Science has spent a lot of money restoring long-time submerged wooden vessels by having resins replace water over time. I think this material is doing that on the front end.
What is phase 2?
First of all, phase 2 has to be longevity related. More stems in more hands.
I also want to further exploit this death grip on the mandrel that occurs during fabrication.
And I'd like to explore enhanced features for presentation like the stripes and dies. That gets back to more of the Artisan bend which I seem to be missing a few of those bones. Good time to enhance those little gray cells.
Phase 2 will consume much of this year. The testing started in Fall and through the winter with little variance in the material. Buds are starting to show up so the Spring season is upon the plants already. I'm looking for any changes the seasons may impart.
And I will state this to be sure - these will never come up for sale by me. I can see promotion for makers to consider this and other materials with background references from these studies going into phase 3. That means extensive testing and clamping down on process control. And a lot of stems being turned
I believe you. The x-ring slides freely in 8mm so the only clearance needed is whatever the ID provides. I should be able to get away with 8.2 and still have it spin freely preserving a 0.9mm wall that has a soft radius to it.
) and thought they may be of use to you. FWIW it's reasonably simple to reshape twist drills with a grinder and a steady hand. Small cup wheels work well chucked in the drill press.
