Thickened Epoxy for hull sides?

[tomstock]

I have 3 gallons of thickened epoxy paste on the way for a keel fillet (I got a good deal on it). It's thickened with fiberglass rather than microballons. I was wondering if I could use this for gluing the hull sides to the stringers instead of weldwood?

Thanks

Tom

[Frank Hagan]

Yep, it will work fine for gluing the hull to the stringers. Probably better than the Weldwood overall in terms of strength.

Let us know how the putty works. Especially if the directions are clear and let you make a little bit at a time. The one time I bought some fairing putty from Fiberglass Specialities, the directions said to mix it all up at once. I figured out the ratio from the different sized cans, and mixed it at a 2 to 1 ratio, but I was nervous about it every time I used it. I really liked it though, because it was much smoother and just the right consistency, something I never got quite right mixing a putty up myself.

[tomstock]

Yep' date=' it will work fine for gluing the hull to the stringers. Probably better than the Weldwood overall in terms of strength.

Let us know how the putty works.[/quote']

Ok will do. This is the stuff that was mentioned a few threads back. I picked it up on ebay for $40. I'm tired of the weldwood drying too fast (it's hot here in FL most of the time). I can't say I'm entirely confident in a few of the joints. I'm going to use some of this to reinforce some of the questionable areas.

Tom

[High C]

I'm tired of the weldwood drying too fast (it's hot here in FL most of the time).

You have the same problem with epoxy. The hotter it is the shorter the working "potlife". In 90 plus weather, even with a slow hardener, epoxy can be just a few minutes (10 to 15) before the stuff kicks off.

[Frank Hagan]

Yep, heat affects it. Make small batches and work quickly seems to be the routine when its above 90.

[Arnie Eaton]

I'm sure this is the same stuff I got. My experience with it is very positive. Long work time and gets very hard. See my earlier posts on this subject. I got mine directly from the seller for $10 bucks less. He lives near Salt Lake, Utah. You mix this stuff 2 to 1 by WEIGHT. You will need a small scale. I got a very nice one at Walmart for about $30 but they do have other cheaper ones.

[John Teetsel]

I manage the heat by using an "ice bath" set up sort of like a double boiler. Mix the gouge in a disposable plastic cup and have another cup of the same size, partly full of ice water, at the ready. Once mixed, just set the epoxy cup into the cup of iced water and take all the time you want. If the epoxy gets too thick, just seperate the cups for a few minutes and it thins right out. This works for unthinned epoxy applied with a brush or thickened epoxy applied with a spatula or putty knife. If you're using a roller, put the ice water into a roller tray, insert a plastic tray liner and pour the epoxy into the liner.

This technique has been tested and certified up to 115 degrees in the shade. :wink:

[Frank Hagan]

I'm sure this is the same stuff I got. My experience with it is very positive. Long work time and gets very hard. See my earlier posts on this subject. I got mine directly from the seller for $10 bucks less. He lives near Salt Lake' date=' Utah. You mix this stuff 2 to 1 by WEIGHT. You will need a small scale. I got a very nice one at Walmart for about $30 but they do have other cheaper ones.[/quote']

OK, by weight would be pretty easy to do. Probably easier than by volume with putty, since it can be messy.

Any idea how long the uncured, unmixed stuff will last on the shelf?

[Arnie Eaton]

Not sure of the shelf life. I think this stuff has gone past it's shelf life and that's why it's so cheap. I used epoxy that I bought about 11 years ago to make a 21 Hartley. Never made that boat but used the epoxy on my Vacationer. Worked just fine although the working time seemed longer that it should be, about 1.5 hrs. And this at temps up to 85 degrees. Like I said in a earlier post the putty mix worked just great on my Vac.

[tomstock]

Not sure of the shelf life. I think this stuff has gone past it's shelf life and that's why it's so cheap. I used epoxy that I bought about 11 years ago to make a 21 Hartley. Never made that boat but used the epoxy on my Vacationer. Worked just fine although the working time seemed longer that it should be' date=' about 1.5 hrs. And this at temps up to 85 degrees. Like I said in a earlier post the putty mix worked just great on my Vac.[/quote']

The datasheet says that the pot life is 7.5hrs at 25' C

-tom