help with making paper micarta

A

azdave35

Joined
Mar 25, 2008
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i'm experimenting with making paper micarta and my first try looked good but when i went to sand on it i could tell the epoxy didn't penetrate all the way into the parer...i was using construction paper that is about .010 " thick...do i need to use thinner paper ?...any suggestions from people that have successfully done this would be appreciated
 
After I have done it, I wouldn't consider doing it again anymore apart for doing custom (multicolor) linings. You will want to use a 2 component epoxy that is quite thin and do deliberate coats working them in the paper or soak the paper in a separate container in epoxy before you drain and stack it. The epoxy will soak better if it is at least at room temp or slightly warmed up.
 
What epoxy are you using? I use a low viscosity epoxy and it still takes some time to fully wet out the fabric, whether it is burlap, denim, linen or carbon fiber. Also make sure its not coated as well.
 
Taz said:
What epoxy are you using? I use a low viscosity epoxy and it still takes some time to fully wet out the fabric, whether it is burlap, denim, linen or carbon fiber. Also make sure its not coated as well.
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Low viscosity epoxy .............how much low , can mean many different viscosity ? I use this one for carbon fiber and that thing will fully wet granite not paper, linen , denim or carbon fiber ...............
Look in data /click on read more / for epoxy i use and maybe you can compare it with what you use ?

Epoxidharz L + Härter GL 2 (210 min) | R&G Faserverbundwerkstoffe

Epoxidharz L + Härter GL 2 (210 min), Art.-Nr.: 104100AP
shop1.r-g.de shop1.r-g.de
 
Wow, thats thin! My stuff is 800 cps which is like 800 mpas compared to your 250. Motor oil to close to water! Yours is much thinner/lower viscosity
 
john april said:
what kind of epoxy did you use ? what speed of cure ?
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i used a thin casting resin from smooth on...2 part epoxy.....very slow cure...5 hours work time...24 hour cure time...i used it on some canvas micarta and it worked great....i tried it on paper micarta and it didn't penetrate the paper......i'm pretty sure the paper was too thick....i was just wondering if anyone here had made paper micarta and which paper they used
 
I had a short google, i dont know if it helps you, but I used a paper that weighed 180 g/m2. I used a silicon spatula and worked the epoxy in the paper. It was obvious from the color change when the paper was completly wetted. Put some extra epoxy between the layers so it gets wetted out from the down and up side.

My product was useable but nowhere near the industrial grade.
 
I use card paper for mine. It's really important to use the slower setting epoxy and to be fast. I actually do it with my wife to speed things up, since most of mine is for hidden tang handles, so it has to be thick.

My method may not be the best, but we use paint brushes to apply it, then clamp it all down with as many clamps as I can fit.

I actually prefer my own stuff over the professional grade stuff, not just because it's way cheaper, but because I have absolute control of the color and dimensions.
 
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