GreenHorn Posted April 8, 2003 Posted April 8, 2003 I am at the point in building my Pocket Cruser where I'm going to need to order massive amounts of Epoxy resin. Before I crack open my dusty wallet for this, I was wondering if anyone out there has used the epoxy resin from Clark Craft? www.clarkcraft.com (there site can be kinda slow) They seem to be less expensive than Raka or System 3, but, in so many things, you get what you pay for. Any comments or input would be appreciated. Thanks. Quote
Bill Posted April 8, 2003 Posted April 8, 2003 How much of a price difference are we talking? Just a quick check over at the Clark site and it looked to me as though RAKA was cheaper! I guess it may all depend on the qty you are planning on using. One thing I will say though is that quite a few people have dealt with Larry at Raka already and have had some pretty positive results. Probably many of the questions you might come up with have already been tried and tested using Raka on PC's, Weekenders and Vacationers and the answers you get will be based on those results. I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with the Clark product (as well as sys3 or West et al.) but Probably, I'd stick with something already used by most of the folks around here (with good results). If there was/is a difference in price it might be worth the little extra you might pay, for piece of mind and the combined knowledge of fellow builders who have already put the product through the paces so to speak. If you do order any Epoxy you are unsure about or inexperienced in using I might suggest ordering a small test package, to test it first and see if it holds up to your own scrutiny. Sometimes spending a few extra bucks is well worth it with just ease of use, or even smell to some people. The good thing about Raka is that Larry, the owner will chat with you in person, and knows our boats and their construction, and has not yet seemed to tire of our business or questions. My personal experience has been with West and Raka. Both have good track records. I found the Raka much more "forgiving" and easier to use. I will also add this link I found a long time ago. If you look through the information, you will see some test results this person did, using different epoxys and Raka faired really well! http://www.oneoceankayaks.com/Epoxresl.htm The info seems unbias and is good reading just for general knowledge. In the long run, it is always "Builders Choice" in these areas and many things have been used. Some things will hold up better than others. There is no final answer (it would be boring if there were).. Do some more reading, question asking, personal tests and you should come up with something that will be sufficiant for use, for YOUR boat. Best of luck, Bill Quote
Sailor3356 Posted April 8, 2003 Posted April 8, 2003 Nice site, but I can't say I have ever heard of them. :roll: Sorry Quote
Bill Posted April 8, 2003 Posted April 8, 2003 Nice site, but I can't say I have ever heard of them Never heard of the site? or are you Unfamiliar with the epoxies tested.. b. Quote
Sailor3356 Posted April 8, 2003 Posted April 8, 2003 Never heard of the company. :shock: Would like to know more. Please pass on any info you hear. Thanks. Quote
Bill Posted April 8, 2003 Posted April 8, 2003 I will admit I don't know the guys company personally. I just came across it looking for Epoxy info one day. I have not read through everything on the site. I have seen other people also point to his tests. He does mention that he had no bias this way or that, he just wanted to see what might be better in one way or another. I have written to him. Wondering if there might be more info available past the one year date he last shows on the panels.(no reply yet, give it some time) Also, I will admit that over time, chemistry would change as companys do their own R&D, so it seems we are on a never ending quest to keep up with the current technology and watch our wallets. We may find something that works one day and gets rave reviews, possibly fails after a year or two. There is no final answer (my own opinion). We could all run epoxy tests and there would be way too many variables to come to any scientific conclusion on what IS the best. (ie. different woods, moisture, thickness, fairing compounds, drying time, clamping pressure...the list goes on and on...) I submit the link as one test I found and maybe a starting point for others to follow and find even more information. Basically the end result will be what each builder feels comfortable and confident with. I think if anyone in Boatbuilding does some research they will always find as many people who approve of their method, as disapprove. (and even that can depend on what day of the week it is...) A definitive answer on tests, back-up data, or companys I do not have! I'd really like to meet the person who thinks they do! they'd be a millionaire overnight! Cheers, Bill Quote
capt jake Posted April 8, 2003 Posted April 8, 2003 If you are talking about Oneocean kayaks, I have talked with the owner and built one of his kayaks. He is intensly informative and wants to share his knowledge. His epoxy tests are truthful, IMHO! As for RAKA, I love the stuff! Can't beat it for price either! Quote
Bill Posted April 8, 2003 Posted April 8, 2003 Jake, Congratulations, on your promotion to "Officer of the Deck"! B. Quote
capt jake Posted April 9, 2003 Posted April 9, 2003 Or it coul be 'Or Old Duffer" ............. :D I know now!! "Old Officer on Deck" Gee....thanks I think??? ") ") Quote
Bill Posted April 9, 2003 Posted April 9, 2003 I just heard from Vaclav over at One Ocean Kayaks! He still has the panel set up. He said he will probably publish some more long term epoxy results this summer. (he mentioned the Raka still looked good) Bill Quote
Frank Hagan Posted April 9, 2003 Posted April 9, 2003 Bill, do you know anything about Progressive Epoxy (I think he's in NH). His site is at http://www.epoxyproducts.com His prices are pretty good, and he has a lot of info on the site. He doesn't see a problem with coating wood soaked in antifreeze (if dry). For those of you up in that neck of the woods, the shipping costs might be a lot cheaper. I still like RAKA epoxy a lot, and will probably continue to use it. I need to order another 3 gallons for my next project, which I'll do after my vacation over in Fintan-Land. Quote
Bill Posted April 9, 2003 Posted April 9, 2003 yep, I have heard of Paul. He likes to sneak in plugs over on the WB board. I might see if he can set me up with some sort of sample package in the future. I haven't investigated any results from his products yet. Guess I might do a little snooping around and see what the word is... Bill Quote
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