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Epoxy question
- Thread starter Gator97
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2001
- Messages
- 20,978
The easiest, quickest, most readily available way to go is to get some 2-Ton Epoxy right off the shelf at Home Depot/Lowes.
Optional step = Get some dust - can be from anything, even sanding a bit off the handle - and mix it with the epoxy. Start with a little bit of dust and increase until you get the mixture you want, but don't go over 50% or you'll weaken the epoxy.
The first time I used epoxy, I used the 5-minute cure stuff - which was great because I didn't want to have to wait for it to setup. I still recommend that for first timers. Now, I use slow curing stuff that sets up overnight. But I have the necessary tools/techniques to make it work right.
Optional step = Get some dust - can be from anything, even sanding a bit off the handle - and mix it with the epoxy. Start with a little bit of dust and increase until you get the mixture you want, but don't go over 50% or you'll weaken the epoxy.
The first time I used epoxy, I used the 5-minute cure stuff - which was great because I didn't want to have to wait for it to setup. I still recommend that for first timers. Now, I use slow curing stuff that sets up overnight. But I have the necessary tools/techniques to make it work right.
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2002
- Messages
- 3,397
5-minute cure
can be a pain if you are fumble fingered like myself
By the time I've mixed it & been clumsy a couple times
it has often begun to gel.
Hobby/craft & wood shops sell in larger quantities for better prices.
AND often offer several brands / types of epoxy
with no only different set rates
but different handling times
& full-cure times.
noted on the bottles
they will often have some selection like
5-min, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20-min, & longer
Different brands having different details.
~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
<>call me 'Dean'
-FYI-FWIW-IIRC-JMO-M2C-YMMV-TIA-YW-GL-HH-HBD-IBSCUTWS-TWotBGUaDUaDUaD
<> Tips <> Baha'i Prayers Links--A--T--H--D
can be a pain if you are fumble fingered like myself
By the time I've mixed it & been clumsy a couple times
it has often begun to gel.
Hobby/craft & wood shops sell in larger quantities for better prices.
AND often offer several brands / types of epoxy
with no only different set rates
but different handling times
& full-cure times.
noted on the bottles
they will often have some selection like
5-min, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20-min, & longer
Different brands having different details.
~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
<>call me 'Dean'
-FYI-FWIW-IIRC-JMO-M2C-YMMV-TIA-YW-GL-HH-HBD-IBSCUTWS-TWotBGUaDUaDUaD<> Tips <> Baha'i Prayers Links--A--T--H--D
- Joined
- May 28, 2003
- Messages
- 1,815
A tiny dab of black shoe polish or candle soot will turn your epoxy dark to match horn. Mix it into one part, before mixing in the second part. Mix well. I use a little piece of aluminum foil for a palette, and a sliver of craft-stick (like popsicle sticks) to mix and apply. Keep the excess by the project to check on its setting up. I once saw a guy mix 2 parts of "A" instead of 1 of "A" and 1 of "B" 
For most uses, off-the-shelf epoxy is just fine. I like the slow set, as it gives me lots of clean up time after everything goes together. I hate short deadlines, myself.
The main thing about epoxy, besides accurate measuring of part A and B - and thorough mixing of the two - is to make sure the surfaces to be bonded are CLEAN. Scrape, file, sand do whatever is necessary to get off anything on the mating surfaces. Then wipe with a solvent like acetone or methanol (wood alcohol). Epoxy sets faster at higher temperatures, so a work lamp can expedite setting, and the freezer can delay setting of mixed epoxy for a while.
Hope this nutshell helps
For most uses, off-the-shelf epoxy is just fine. I like the slow set, as it gives me lots of clean up time after everything goes together. I hate short deadlines, myself.
The main thing about epoxy, besides accurate measuring of part A and B - and thorough mixing of the two - is to make sure the surfaces to be bonded are CLEAN. Scrape, file, sand do whatever is necessary to get off anything on the mating surfaces. Then wipe with a solvent like acetone or methanol (wood alcohol). Epoxy sets faster at higher temperatures, so a work lamp can expedite setting, and the freezer can delay setting of mixed epoxy for a while.
Hope this nutshell helps