Mixing West system epoxies

quint

quint

Joined
Nov 29, 2011
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So curious how many people that use the west system epoxies mix the gflex with the 105 series epoxies? Seems like a good way to get the best of both worlds just have never done it myself. Was thinking of trying it out.

If you guys do what mix works best for ya?

Oh and yes I understand the need to mix each epoxy seperately or atleast get the weights of each correct.
 
Why would you do that? If you want to mix anything to the 105 based stuff, buy one of the fillers. I use the colloidal silica.
 
I picked up some Gflex to try it out, Ive already got some of the 105 and 209 that I have been using. Was reading on the Gflex that if mixed you can get a combination of properties like flexibility of the gflex with the higher strength of the 105 types.

Wasnt sure if it was just marketing hype or if it had some merit to it.

The colloidal silica Ill read up on. Thanks Joe.
 
Gougeon Brothers, mfgrs. of the West System epoxy, has a very knowledgeable, helpful Tech Services who can answer all your questions. Their phone no. is (866) 937-8797 or (989) 684-7286.
 
I have tested G-Flex and could not knock off un-pinned scales with a 3# sledge hammer!

I just ground off a cord wrap the other day and it literally would not come off, I had to grind it all away to the end.

G-Flex for scales, 105/207 for soaking cord wraps.

I know this doesn't really answer the question... in my opinion the performance is so good on it's own I wouldn't change anything. Surface prep and the right ratios are the key.

tip ---. Smear some epoxy on piece of cardboard or duct tape and keep it to test each glue run to make sure it set up.
 
Thanks for the input guys. Guess its something that I shouldnt really worry about atleast for knife handles.

Dan I did pick up the mixing kit with the little electronic scale since everyone mentions that it is very important to get precise rations with this stuff.
 
I an not sure if I bought the same G-Flex that you guys are using. I got the stuff that cures WAY too fast and is too thick to work very well in the syringes, and the impression that i got is that it was designed as a "quick" adhesive to hold stuff together while you did your serious epoxy work. I may be wrong, but I don't like the stuff that I bought because it doesn't give me the flexibility of the 105 and 205/206 I normally use.
 
Joe, did you buy G5 rather than G/flex? The bottles look very similar.

G5 is very quick setting i.e., pot life of about five minutes at 70° F. G/flex has a pot life of 50-60 minutes at 70° F.
 
I recently built a bearded axe from a head that I bought from Ben Tendick. I was tempted to use some well known 5 minutes epoxies, but held off and ordered some G-Flex.In addition to the epoxy I pinned the head to the handle with brass pins and after it cured I wrapped it with rawhide. The rawhide is only there for the look that I wanted and certainly wasn't needed to reinforce the joint. I plan on making more and G-Flex is the only thing I'd use from now on. I have some projects planned that will require a hemp wrap. I'll be using West Systems 105 and 207.
 
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