Syringes For Epoxy

Big Bob

Big Bob

Joined
Oct 13, 1999
Messages
1,731
My GRS has a cracked handle that I want to epoxy. I've got some epoxy but need a syringe to get it into the crack. Where could I get some syringes at? Thank you for any and all help.

Bob
 
Bob: I was faced with the same dilemma when thinking of a way to get the epoxy in a little crack. What I finally thought of was finding a smallest diameter pin in my wife's sewing kit and clamping it in a surgical clamp at a 90 degree angle.

This allowed me to dip the needle into the expoxy and lay it in exactly where I wanted it. My "operation" was a sucess without any mess! ( Rarely do I accomplish delicate tasks w/ out Mr. Murphy paying a visit).

One other thing I did to pad the bet was to get the extended (30 minute) epoxy instead of the faster setting stuff. This allowed me to get the expoxy applied everywhere and touch up without the first work being set up . I think I found it at Home Depot.

Hope this helps. Good Luck! :)

-Craig
 
Craig's method is the way to go. I used the regular super glue and a syringe on a wood handle, and the glue set up just a bit higher than the surface of the wood. It won't sand at the same rate as the wood, and leaves a raised surface. One B...h Kitty to level, and then blend with the finish. Craigs pin method takes longer to apply, but finishes out in 1/10 the time.
 
Hi BB,
Another thing that may help you is thinning the epoxy with acetone.
I have done this numerous times to fill small cracks and to soak cord wrapped handles. The thinning helps the epoxy flow into small cracks better and helps soak cloths and cord wraps better also. The epoxy strength seems to be unaffected . Keep a little acetone around and this also helps in the cleanup of the epoxy in its semi cured state reall easy. Good luck with your repair.
 
Great tip and good idea!

Inspired me to research further on the net and I found this site that talks about acetone and other thinners (denatured alcohol and laquer thinner). Seems like a really good article with all the ins and outs.

The main recommendation there is to warm the epoxy, or better yet, the surface, to about 115 degrees. Apparently even a small amount of heat will thin the epoxy. Denatured alcohol, laquer thinner, or acetone would still be useful for clean up.

I haven't had to use epoxy yet on any of my khukuris. The few cracks have been too small. Sounds like the best method would be to warm up the handle and epoxy, then add acetone or one of the other thinners to fine tune the consistency.
 
Just to add. If I have raised epoxy I usually use a knife to shave th epoxy down. Usually I can get it good enough where I do not need to sand, but when I do need to sand its alota careful work to try and get just the epoxy.
 
Thanks again guys. I'll try the toothpick approach whenever I have the time.

Bob
 
Syringes can be picked up at most farm supply stores. A syringe can sometimes be messy but it does get the epoxy everywhere. In addition to a longer working time, the longer set time epoxies are stronger.

Epoxies work best with a very thin layer. So once you have the epoxy in place draw the handle together. Hose clamps work well, coat the inside of the clamp with wax or make sure it does not come into contact with the epoxy.

Will
 
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