Epoxy Update

I use 2-ton because I can get it anytime down at Walmart.
However it has let me down 2 times. Both times were my error mostly due to not placeing the knife to set in a warm enough place for long enough time.

On the other hand, Once I had to grind off a handle that I messed up the sanding on and use this as a chance to check out how well the 2-ton filled in the gaps and held onto the tang.

I was not able to knock off the handle scale no matter what I tried. I even put the knife in my vise and jumped on it with no movement.

when I cut the handle slabs off I saw that the 2-ton filled in the gaps and tang scratches very nicely.

I judge 2-ton on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best) is about a 7 or 8
It does a very good job, "most" of the time...
 
well this time it came out good..... i had some help from Chisel. i think grinding my handle material horizontally gave it enough rpessure over time to actually pull thehandles from the tang. so i ground this one vertically to eliminate that stress, and its almost down to hand sanding now with no problems at all..... damn now its time to cut some more material for that little knife. no more cleaning up stag to fit. some nice african blackwood will do. if it comes out then the next one will have stag. thanks again for the help gentlemen...... you too I.G.
Sando: the handle material was curing about 5 or 6 feet away from a nice hot coal stove so it was well over 75 degrees

thanks again guys
Mike
 
Dang, you fellas aren't listening! Roger has the cure. It may cost a tad over that Devcon and stuff, but the Brownells 'Glas will sure as heck cure your problems. Another thing, your temperature doesn't HAVE to be 75 degrees or so for the stuff to work, but warmer is always good with any epoxy. Like good ol' Roger says, I use the Brownells 'Glas Gel and know that every knife that goes out my shop door won't be back because it's coming apart. I had one of my knives lay for a year in an open bed of a pickup here in Iowa. Rain, snow, heat, cold, and the handle held up great. The handle was over a dozen sections of wood (Osage Orange), brass, whitetail antler, and silver glued together with the 'Glas. The knife was being bounced around in the bed of the truck, too. The knife was brought to me by the owner's brother. The blade was L6, and pretty rusted, but the handle was fine. Now, if you rascals know of anything better this Acra Glas, let me know. We put too much work and money into a knife to scrimp on a few cents worth of glue. To me, the 'Glas is pretty cheap insurance. You don't have to outlay a lot of money for some. They sell the kits in several sizes. With the small kit, you can do several knives. This works out well for part timers. You have an hour working time with the stuff, too. Easy cleanup, vinegar or alcohol will do it.
 
good Idea's the guy all have here..
sealer or adhesive?
what are you using the Epoxies as??
pins screws dove tailing biscuits you really should use (Mechanical)
I use epoxies to seal out dirt and moisture and if it holds as well COOL.

Mike I see you warping when you clamp causing pressure lifting it.
loveless screws :barf: ? IMHO
for the SS I use
TEXAS KNIFEMAKER'S SUPPLY 400B hidden bolt fastener
I don't care to see the screw in the center of the loveless screws
they have brass too.
 
The only thing better than Acra Glass gel in the real thing Acra Glass if you don't believe me ask any one who has built a rifle stock and bedded it with acra Glass and forgot the release agent. Do you have a Axe to get it off.
 
John Andrews...I have something better. It is an industrial epoxy mixture that is a bitch to mix, but when hardened, it is darn well bulletproof. The name is "Marine Tex" and is sold at boat dealerships. Used for fiberglass hull repair, among other things. The dang stuff will even cure while under water for gosh sakes! The kicker is that it has to be mixed at a 1 to 5 ratio....you heard right, 1 to 5. Be careful when mixing...take the extra minute to ensure the ratio is correct. It takes several hours to cure, or you can put it under a heat lamp or in front of a hair dryer to speed things up. Anyway, when its done....its there. It is a dark grey in color when mixed and can be drilled, tapped, etc it is so dang hard. I use popsicle sticks to mix it with. In cold weather it can be thick and hard to work...it behaves better when warmer, but, it cures the same regardless of temperature. I was turned on to this stuff by one of the best gunsmiths in the business: Kenny Jarrett. It is the material they use to glass bed their super accurate rifles. I think it would glue two eels togather if I could get them to hold still long enough.

Go to your local boat dealer and get some...you wont be disappointed.

Best of luck,

Hank
 
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