Bets recommended epoxy???

mykulmorris

mykulmorris

Joined
Jul 8, 2007
Messages
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What do you Gents feel is the best epoxy for scales? Brands vs. 5min/10min???
Sorry if it's been asked before, but if it has, I cddn't find it...
-M
 
My understanding of epoxy properties is; faster the setting time, the weaker the bond. Nice if you're in a hurry or not fussy about the bond strength, though.
 
mykulmorris said:
What do you Gents feel is the best epoxy for scales? Brands vs. 5min/10min???
Sorry if it's been asked before, but if it has, I cddn't find it...
-M
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I read in places that the Gorilla Glue Epoxy(Not the superglue stuff) is decent but can expand. But going by the stickies I switched to JB Weld epoxy. However I think most agree the West Systems is the best.

I am new and by far not nearly as knowledgeable as 99% of these guys on here.
 
I use the 15 minute stuff from Pop's and it works fine.

Loctite speed bond is the strongest glue I've ever used though and is what I use when something Needs to stay put! I think I'm using the 326 right now and all slip-joint scales get this stuff.
 
I use the overnight epoxies, they have a superior bond over the quick setting ones. It gives me more working time, as it is not good when one is working with epoxy when it is setting to quickly.
 
Leethal Cutlery said:
G-flex epoxy is the best IMO I'll never use anything else. It's beast mode strong
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Bufford said:
I use the overnight epoxies, they have a superior bond over the quick setting ones. It gives me more working time, as it is not good when one is working with epoxy when it is setting to quickly.
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Agree and agree. West Systems makes some of the best epoxy products out there. GFlex is good because, even though it is extremely strong, it has a little bit of flex to absorb shock.

Lots of detail in other threads. You should search them up.

TedP
 
In my stockbuilding I use 2 different epoxies.

For mating wood, I use T-88 2 part 24 hour epoxy with a 4000 psi shear stength. Does not chip or split. Clear. I used this for the end cap on my fighter with a lot of prep so both surfaces had good tooth.

For mating steel to wood I use Devcon 10110 steel filled epoxy with 10000 psi shear strength. Machinable and sandable to high sheen. Black. I used this to glue the carbon fiber handles to my fighter I posted for an invisible seam that will not part. Also pinned them.

5 minute epoxies typically are around 2000 psi and brittle. Clear to amber. Only use this for holding parts in place temporarily until final assembly.

Larry
Tinkerer
 
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I have used T-88 for years, and have had superb results. I am now starting to switch to G-flex. I only use slow cure resins. When assembling and cleaning up knife handles, hours is far better than minutes.
 
Don Hanson III said:
I use the 15 minute stuff from Pop's and it works fine.

Loctite speed bond is the strongest glue I've ever used though and is what I use when something Needs to stay put! I think I'm using the 326 right now and all slip-joint scales get this stuff.
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What Don said.

Speedbonder 324 or 326 is great stuff, and sets fast. ABSURDLY strong, and sets quickly.

For greater shock resistance, and longer work time before setup, 3M DP460.
 
bladsmth said:
I have used T-88 for years, and have had superb results. I am now starting to switch to G-flex. I only use slow cure resins. When assembling and cleaning up knife handles, hours is far better than minutes.
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Stacy, why the change? I have been trying to choose between the two, T-88 or G-Flex.
 
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West System. I use the 105 resin and 205 or 206 hardener with the colloidal silica filler as suggested to me by John White. As best as i can tell, the G Flex is their standard resin and appropriate hardener, with the proper filler material already mixed in. Very convenient but make sure that you DON"T buy the 5 minute version unless you are very quick because they aren't mess in around when they say 5 minutes. It is actually quite a bit faster than their regular 205 fast hardener.
 
jdm61 said:
West System. I use the 105 resin and 205 or 206 hardener with the colloidal silica filler as suggested to me by John White. As best as i can tell, the G Flex is their standard resin and appropriate hardener, with the proper filler material already mixed in. Very convenient but make sure that you DON"T buy the 5 minute version unless you are very quick because they aren't mess in around when they say 5 minutes. It is actually quite a bit faster than their regular 205 fast hardener.
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What what is the difference between the 105 and 205 or 206 hardener compared to the G-Flex?
 
FWIW: Just sharpened one of my first knives- it's been used and washed in a kitchen almost every day for the last five years.
Chainsaw damascus and ebony scales, set with JB weld. Still tight and strong.
 
Everyone has mentioned the best I've read about. If I were to do a 2 part epoxy I'd go with West Systems, but like I said, all good recommendations. I like the Loctite Speedbonder 324. It's about 3 minutes working time, but I dry fit everything to my satisfaction and have never had a problem. It's really great for liners, because 5 minutes after clamping them you can machine the slabs and you don't need to worry about over clamping. Not good for filling gaps, however, but who wants gaps?
 
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