Epoxy

[Mark Gudschinsky]

Well here is an entirely unscientific observation:

I have been using West System epoxy to assemble my Weekender (the outside temperatures here are too inconsistent for the called for glue.)

After using West Systems fast epoxy with a bit of cabosil added for glue up it was all I could due to get the cured epoxy out of the plastic container so I could reuse the container. usually the container was destroyed before I got the epoxy out.

I just switched to the Raka I ordered for glassing the hull and using Raka very fast epoxy with a bit of cabosil the epoxy pulled right off of the plastic with ease.

So, is West Systems a superior epoxy because of its ability to adhere even to plastic, or is it of no concern as we are building wood boats?

[Charlie Jones]

I don't think WEST is that superior, no. I've used WEST since 1976. Some times it pops right out of a container, sometimes you aren't getting it out. MAS is exactly the same- sometimes it comes right out, sometimes it would take dyamite:)

I wouldn't worry about it over much and just toss the ones it doesn't come out of.

By the way- you should have seem me filleting yesterday, with temps in the shop sitting dead on 100 degrees :?

[capt jake]

I bought a sling of the plastic containers that the deli's use for serving salad to go. They only cost about 10 cents each, so I throw them away when i am done.

[TexasPhil]

I use little, yes little, plastic cups. I get these in 100 or 200 packs from the walmart or the grocery store for a buck.

I found that I only use an ounce or two at a time... otherwise it sets off in the cup. Even the slow stuff.

For convience, since I did not purchase the pumps, I marked ONE cup with measurements for 1/2, 3/4, 1 oz, etc. I did this by putting a second cup in the one to be marked, and measuring water in the kitchen. One line for the resin (always first as it is RAKA at 2:1 ratio) and the other for the hardener.

[High C]

I have observed the same thing with Raka epoxy, sometimes it pops neatly out of the cup, sometimes it won't come out at all. Maybe it has to do with the temp or humidity. :?:

The Raka stuff sure works well, though, especially the no-blush hardner. It seems to have longer pot life than the slow hardner, then dries and hardens quicker once it sets off. And no blush to clean off.