epoxy brand / setting time recommendations for hidden tang

N

Ninja Blacksmith

Joined
Aug 26, 2012
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136
I'm working on a series of bowies and decided this time to try hidden instead of full tang. The handle fittings are nearly ready to be epoxied on, but I'm unsure about best type of epoxy for the job - though I've heard that the slower it sets up, the better. The fittings are 304 stainless and stabilized ironwood. Any particular brands that work better than others for this?
 
I'm guessing you don't use a lot of epoxy, so if you just need a small quantity of good stuff, I'd recommend Brownell's Acra-Glass Gel.

It works well, it's easy to use, it comes in a kit with black and brown dye, and has a very long shelf life. I use it whenever I just need a little epoxy, and I never have to wonder if it's "still good". Even the dye keeps well if you just put a pinhole in the little packet, then seal it back up with tape.

I know there are other newer epoxies, but it's been holding stuff together for 50+ years.
 
The regular Acraglas has been around that long, but I find the gel not as hard or strong as the original. Maybe good enough, but I would use the original.
 
I use West Systems G-Flex 650. Great stuff. You have about 30 minutes of work time, gets hard in about 3 hours. Full cure in 24 hours. Marine grade. Jason Knight, MS turned me on to it and l've been using it since.
 
regular Acraglas is what I like the best for hidden tangs, doesn't shrink when it dries and wont flex.

Steve
 
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