proper sealants for an agave didj?

Luminess, I would assume that you either didn't use the proper Envirotex or that you didn't mix or cure it properly. I've made and sold over 340 hardwood didges using epoxy and I have none of the same complaints that you encountered. As far as I know every other experianced didge crafter who markets their wares in the U.S. also uses these same epoxies on their sticks with proper results. A short list of those crafters would include myself, Geoff Frost, Ben Hicks, Jack Reeder, Tyler Spencer, Moglee, Gusty Christianson, Jason Strazzabosco, Travis Zumwalt, Karl Kalbagh, Jeff Lore, Alan Shockley, Bill Hanes, and others who craft but don't sell would include Robert Kelly, John (I forget last name, from Marysville Wa.).... When Djalu was in the U.S. he borrowed envirotex from me for coating and sealing the exteriors of his sticks before scratch sanding them for application of paints, as did Frank Thill. I don't mind being included in that bunch of names as they are all excellent crafters with top reputations. As I mentioned in a post above, I am currently experimenting with pure organic oils which is not because I have any issues with properly cured epoxies but as a full time crafter my own exposure to epoxies in the mixing and curing stages may develop accumulative affects for myself and I also have to take into account the workers at the factories that create these epoxies which my purchasing dollars support. I realize that the factories are highly regulated by OSHA but OSHA and other regulatory agencies set the minimal standards and we in this industry get to create and set our own higher standards. Another reason I'm wanting to shift toward use of pure organic oils is that I might become capable of extracting these oils myself from locally harvested sources and then when I go one step further in harvesting my own electricity from the numerous water sources on my property providing non-destructive and non-polluting hydroelectric power potentials I will be exhibiting the highest attainable model of proper business ethics and social responsibility. I haven't had completely enthusiastic response from the announcement of my intended shift toward oils. Barry at L.A. Outback said to me that he would prefer to carry didges that are epoxy coated instead of oiled because of the durability of epoxied sticks and the ease of maintaining them. Oiled didges need periodic maintainance because oils do continuously off gas, and if they're not oiled often enough they will develop cracks and splits, and planned obsolescence isn't a business model componant any crafters or sellers in the didge market that I know of.
Just last week I had some (real true organic free range) hippies come stay with me after they had stayed with Steve in Berkley, whom has the largest collection of high quality didjeridu in the United States. They were able to paw through his collection and had decided that I was their favorite crafter so Steve told them to give me a ring and see if I'd be open to have them come learn from me how to craft didges using my methods. I gave them the option of going with the pure organic oils or going with epoxy and they chose to go with the epoxy because of it's many advantages which goes to illustrate that just because your own usage gave you negative results doesn't mean that other people aren't capable of finding proper results. I would add that the verathane you are claiming to be a good option is actually a poor choice in my opinion because of it's tendancy to flake and deteriorate around the mouthpiece and the fact that it's not Food and Drug Administration approved as is Envirotex.
I get a good feeling from seeing the home in your photos on your profile and it appears that you're off to a good start in your own didjcrafting and I welcome your appearance on the didge scene and look foreward to hopefully meeting you this August at either In-Didj-In-Us or JT Didgeridoo festival (as I have conflicting dates that will prevent me from attending the first (hopefully annual) Tree Man gathering in July.
Aum shanti, chad butler

If home boy talks to people in person the way he types at us, I look foreward to to an excruciatingly "intellectual" conversation writhing with respect. As I have mentioned, My intention is to make facts available about potentially hazardous products that are promoted through mis-information and opinion. I do wonder how I have "dissed" epoxy by posting facts for the sake of being a better informed didj. community. I also wonder how or if I have hyped my "sticks" at all here. Care to back the claims jeff? I AM no threat to your didjeridoo empire ok?

Uh, agave' is not wood jeff, it's a flower stem. Therefore, it absorbs JOL didj. lube to the core.

I came up with a new compound that is harder and more flexible than ANY other product I've seen on a didj. including epoxy aaaand its still non-toxic. This compound consists of Kiawe (Maui grown African mesquite) carbon and titebond2 non-toxic woodglue. I tested this compound for 6 months outside in the North shore jungle with consistent tropical rainfall and blazing sunshine before it went into a didj. I beat on a cured piece with a hammer and it made it shiny on the bumpy part of the texture. I then tested it out on a didj. with great results. After dropping it repeatedly on the mouthpiece and bell from my waist level to the floor it became shinier on the points of impact and was easily buffed out with my t-shirt. As for the harmonics, with no ego or "hype" it's the best I've ever heard from a non-traditional didj. For the exact how to you'll have to come watch the process in person. For any other how to stuff, send me a message instead of posting to me here. Aloha