Question about Fiberglass resin alternative for homemade micarta.

[Marlin01]

Hey, Everyonne
I have made about 7 Handles from Blue jean or burlap using fiberglass resin. I love the way the handles turned out, but i don't like working with the resin so much. Does anyone have any ideas about what could be used in place of the fiberglass resin.

 

[jdm61]

"Fiberglass resin" doesn't really tell us much. It could be polyester, vinylester or epoxy.

Hey, Everyonne
I have made about 7 Handles from Blue jean or burlap using fiberglass resin. I love the way the handles turned out, but i don't like working with the resin so much. Does anyone have any ideas about what could be used in place of the fiberglass resin.

 

[Jarrett Fleming]

You can use West system epoxy 105 resin and 209 hardener. That is what I use to make homemade handle material.

 

[fast14riot]

No two ways around it, epoxy, polyesther or vinylester resin are all a mess to work with. I buy the cheap Tyvek painters suits for doing heavy fiberglass repairs on boats and wouldn't hesitate to use one when working on smaller stuff. Epoxy gets everywhere! To extend pot life, try spreading the resin out thin on a pizza box with wax paper taped to it, this will dissipate the heat better and give longer working times.


-Xander

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

105 resin and the 209 extra slow hardener.....that is the way to go.

As suggested, keeping the pot shallow greatly slows curing. In the case of built up lamination, like making mycarta ( Micarta is different), a cookie sheet or baking pan works well. Lay a bunch of cloth in it and let it soak as you layer the mold. Have an assistant drop in new pieces as you take them out. It will go fast and be well wet out.

Newspaper and nitrile gloves are a must.