Mess up at the glue up :O (Ow!)

Robert_Phelps

Robert_Phelps

Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Messages
475
For the first time, I didn't have a good time finishing a blade. I just attempted to have a successful epoxy-ing of handle slabs onto blade, and failed. The 3 1/8" brass pins had somehow got mixed up getting moved (a short pin went into a hole that needed the longer pin, and I had to fix it with the epoxy covering my hands. One pin popped out, but the other misplaced pin was stuck somehow, and I actually ripped the pin in half before I popped it out. I scraped the tang off a bit, dabbed more epoxy on, lined up the holes, and am hoping for the best. Now, I tried to get my epoxy-covered hands clean (They were comically covered in paper-towel bits and everything) and nothing worked. I didn't have any paint thinner, but I know alcohol and salt will take some pretty tough stuff of surfaces.. but forgot my hands were covered in nicks and cuts. I remembered, however, shortly therafter. :eek:
...Anyone else got any interesting "Everything that could go wrong did go wrong" knife making stories? :grumpy:
 
LOL!!!! I do have a twin brother! And here I thought I was an only child all these years...
 
WD40 will get it off before it sets. Not as hard on your skin and liver as paint thinner or acetone. Just use a cloth shop towel instead of papertowel. I'd suggest using the long cure epoxy as well.
"Two hands 'til you learn how!" thing.
 
First, Get some latex gloves, they cost about $4.50 for a box of 100.

Second, alcohol is the best solvent for epoxy. It's safer, doesn't leave a sticky residue and it's non toxic. Use rubbing alcohol from the drug store, It goes on sale all the time for .49 a pint bottle.
Yes acetone works, but it evaporates fast so you have to use a lot to clean things up. And the last thing you need is a lot of explosive acetone vapor. Mineral spirits works also. It creates far less vapor, Unfortunately it breaks down latex gloves within about a minute.

Third, cut way back on the epoxy, you only need a layer between .010" and .015" between the scale and tang. Even on a big knife that's at most a teaspoon of epoxy.

Fourth, Don't rush, (use 30 minute epoxy) and when you screw up don't panic.

Fifth, When you make a mistake, Stop, clean everything off with alcohol and start over.

As far as everything going wrong. When I first started making knives from pre finished blades, I assumed that 3/16" pin stock would fit through a 3/16" hole and never test fit it before glue up. Not knowing the hole needed to be a few thou larger and that 3/16" pin stock might be a few thou larger than 3/16". I was about 17 at the time.
 
I've been using 1/8" bit with 1/8" stock, and running the pin in and out of the hole till it goes through easy. Thanks for the tips, though :D

I've always hated glueing, maybe now it won't be so bad.
 
I've been having problems recently. I was making a stick tang knife with stacked spacers, a wood center peice and antler crown. When I was blending the handle down I noticed a dark spot in my wood. Turns out it was a hidden worm hole. So I tried plugging it and blending it back in. Didn't work. I ended up taking the band saw to it and cutting off the handle and starting over. I cut a new peice and glued up the handle again. Like a moron , I got in a hurry and forgot to square the ends of my wood! What a goof. I had such a tight fit that now I'm going to have to cut this one back off to.
Lessons learned I guess. Never get in a hurry.
God bless,
Stitch
 
One other thing - white vinegar will take epoxy off your hands pretty well until it hardens all the way - less toxic than the alternatives and you probably always have some around!

Bill
 
As all have said, Using disposable rubber gloves ($6-7/100) is the smart thing. Some other tips:
NEVER use any adhesive unless you have the proper solvent on hand.This also applies to severe poisons and their antidotes and to acids/bases and their neutralizers.(Acetone is the solvent for epoxy.)
Use a slower curing epoxy. The joint will be stronger,adjustments are much easier,you don't have to rush (and make mistakes),clean up is easier,and YOU have more time to clean up.I use twenty four hour resins.
Stacy
 
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