Epoxy

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IPD_Mrs

IPD_Mrs

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Jun 27, 2007
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Which epoxy do most of you use, the 5 minute or the 30 minute work time? I am not talking strickly pens so I am looking for a more general all around use answer.
 
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30 minute for me. 5 minute is way too quick. Also enables more time to get a color match if I'm using it to fill something. 5 minute is okay if you just need to mix a little and can use right away. Usually I have multiple thingsI am using it for so I can mix what I need and still have time to work with each piece. With either, I usually wait overnight to work on so the 25 minute time saver is really of no use.
 
5 min for me for "tubing up" 3-4 blanks. If I have to glue up multiple blanks for a larger run, then I move to the 30 min.

I haven't tried tinting the epoxy yet, but it makes sense that you would need the longer cure time to allow proper mixing.

-Doug
 
Mike,

I would say it depends on the application. With 5 minute epoxy I could comfortably glue 5 or 6 tubes.

I bought some 60 minute because it was on sale, and let it set overnight.

Overall, my preference would be 30 minute, perhaps because I am going to buy some this afternoon.:)
 
I agree with Cav, it depends on the application. I use 5 min for tube glue-up's and to fix my 3 year old broke toys (when CA just won't do). I have used the 30 min and like it as well.
 
People that use 30 min epoxy, what brand are you using and ewhere did you get it??? I have tried the home depot stuff and do not like it. I think it was called devcon or something like that. I have lately swithced to System 3 and let it sit overnight. % min. is too quick when you are trying to glue more than 2 blanks up at least for me it is.
 
I only use epoxy when I'm coloring it for resin blanks. I use 5 min, because thats what I have, not because I really need it to harden in 5 minutes. 30 min would probably be better if I had a large group of blanks using the same color. I use EZ Bond epoxy from Monty, it gets the job done every time.
 
jttheclockman said:
People that use 30 min epoxy, what brand are you using and ewhere did you get it??? I have tried the home depot stuff and do not like it. I think it was called devcon or something like that. I have lately swithced to System 3 and let it sit overnight. % min. is too quick when you are trying to glue more than 2 blanks up at least for me it is.
Click to expand...

I like the system 3 myself.
 
I must be a real splitter for epoxy -- (I am talking about two parts that get mixed)

I split between clear and amber and solid

Clear is free of any color -- water clear - comes in several different time and viscosities
(System Three is a favorite here).

Amber -- several different brands with different times. Loctite brand for small quanties and West Systems for large quantities. West Systems comes with two different curing agents depending on the applications. This is the stuff to fiberglass and coat canoe paddles, stripper canoes, and fix boat surfaces.

Solids -- these are the JB Weld and putty consistency materials to fill holes, make jigs, and close gaps. Add metal powers and make threadable parts.
 
If I'm only gluing up 1 pen, I'll use the 5 min. but if I want to glue up several I use 30 minute, Epoxy I get from Rio Grande Jewelers supply, I can force cure it at 100 degrees in about 10 or 15 minutes
 
I was using Devcon 5 min. from Walmart but they changed brands on me. Havent used the new brand yet. I like 5 min. Sets quick enough for me to glue and make the pen in one day and if i glue more than 4 or 5, i just mix little amounts at a time. Make me not waste as much this way. Ive mixed with oilbased paints to tint with no problems hold up.
 
I'm a fan of the longer working time, 30 minutes.
The 5 minute just starts setting too quick for me in gluing tubes.

Are you considering offering epoxy?
 
I use the Tower Hobbies brand expoxies that I get at the local model / RC shop. I generally use the 6 minute type, but I must be a very slow worker because I can usually only get 2 sets of blanks glued up before it starts to kick off on me. I let it cure for 1 hour generally.

I've got some 60 minute stuff too, generally use that if I know I'm not going to be turning them until the next day or so.

For the type of stuff we are doing with pens, pretty much any epoxy will do fine, IMHO. It's not getting the types of stress like when I do golf clubs and attach the heads to shafts with epoxy.

Just my .02

Steve W
www.TwoCatsPens.com
 
I use 5 min Devcon for all my glue-ups. I can glue 4-5 pens (with two tubes) easily in this time. But the tubes are all laid out and the drilled blanks are sorted and ready to go, I start with the top barrel, and then the lower barrel.
If I did more than 4-5 pens, I used poly urethane glue (Gorilla), but then I must secure the tubes with rubber bands, pita. It easier to mix up a fresh batch of 5 min epoxy....
 
I found that 5 minute was too fast for gluing up tubes so I bought the 20 minute CSUSA sells. It has worked fine so far. I don't epoxy much for more than tubes though.
 
From my car model building days I like to use the 15 minuet Epoxy. I like it because it give me a little longer working time, especially when gluing up more than one set of blanks
 
Thanks for the info guys. This is something that we are going to start carrying on our hardware site and your input tells me that we should stock both at a 3to1 ratio.

Mike
 
MLKWoodWorking said:
Thanks for the info guys. This is something that we are going to start carrying on our hardware site and your input tells me that we should stock both at a 3to1 ratio.

Mike
Click to expand...

Mike , when this 5 minute stuff is gone , I'm going back to the 30 minute stuff . Please let me know when you have some 30 min. in stock . I'll run up and buy some , as well as CA .

Good to see you back on the forum !
 
No problem Chuck. Should be sometime in May. I am waiting until we have thined out our supply of Zap brand Kicker as we are switching to the EZ Bond on that as well.

Mike
 
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