I was wondering what brand and set time of epoxy you folks are using to glue the brass tubes in your blanks? Thanks
What brand and set time of epoxy
- Thread starter Band Saw Box
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Dan Masshardt
Member
I picked up the loctite brand 5 min at lowes.
I will buy it again.
I may additionally pick up some sort of 15 min for longer work times.
I like to glue up a bunch of blanks at once and you can only do so many before it starts to set up.
I will buy it again.
I may additionally pick up some sort of 15 min for longer work times.
I like to glue up a bunch of blanks at once and you can only do so many before it starts to set up.
Been using Devcon 30 minute for years. Always wait a day before turning.
edstreet
Member
The only 'correct' answer to this question is 'depends on what your blank material is and how much upkeep is needed over time.'
Truth is there is no single 'best' glue/epoxy for everything and multiples should be used as needed.
NittanyLion
Member
I've tried a dozen different kinds....searching for the perfect one...some I've special ordered and paid good money for. In the end, I keep coming back to the locktite from Lowes.
edstreet
Member
For max strength ...
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commercialbuilder
Member
I have used several different 5 minute epoxies and I cannot tell any difference in hold power or set time so I usually buy the least expensive at the time I need it. 5 minute is good for gluing tubes but you can only do two tubes at a time before it starts setting up. Another thing I have found is when I mix acrylic paint in the epoxy it seems to set faster.
Thanks for all the input. Is the Loctite from Lowes and 2 bottle set or the kind in a syringe. I used some gorilla epoxy to glue the tube in the blanks I'm working on. It a syringe type, I don't like the way the epoxy keeps coming out when to stop pushing. Does and one know what the shelf like is on epoxy?
NittanyLion
Member
Dan,
Not sure on the shelf life, but definately keep it in the fridge. It lasts much longer. Mine is right next to the 4 bottles of CA, Ketchup, Mustard, and relish. My wife just loves it......
Not sure on the shelf life, but definately keep it in the fridge. It lasts much longer. Mine is right next to the 4 bottles of CA, Ketchup, Mustard, and relish. My wife just loves it......
Dan Masshardt
Member
Two separate bottles. Isn't the syringe more for single use? Seems to me the mix in the tip would harden and make repeat use difficult?
I find that when it's colder it's harder to flow. No probs with this Steve? Or do you let it warm back up before use?
Dave Turner
Member
I use the 5 minute epoxy from Harbor Freight. They sometimes have it on sale for $0.99 and I stock up. I like the fact that there is only enough in each package to do about 3 or 4 pens, so I am always using freshly opened tubes. It's a little cheaper than the Loctite from Lowes and has worked great for me for over 5 years. This reminds me that I have to buy more the next time I'm at Harbor Freight.
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LanceD
Member
I've been using various epoxies for over 20 years and I've come to the conclusion that there really is no certain shelf life on epoxy. I buy it by the gallon and and have one gallon that I use to glue certain things that's four years old and still holds as strong as when new. Putting it in the refrigerator has nothing to do with shelf life.
I use Double Bubble Epoxy. If I need something almost colorless I use the black label, which has a 45 min work time and is hard in 4 hours. Otherwise I use the red label, which has a 3-5 min work time and is hard in 30 min. One pack is enough to do about 3 tubes.
Richard Gibson
Member
DAN- I use PSI 15-min. epoxy. I like the time because I can do tubes for 4 double tube pens.
The best answer is "Whatever you've tried and worked for you" since everything from humidity, material, how thick you put it on and shelf life play into it. To stop the plunger leak on syringe type applicators, pull back on the plunger.
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LagniappeRob
Member
I've been a fan of Bob Smith Industries for both epoxies and CA's. They manufacturer for many other brands: metra, micro-mark, hobbylinc -- MANY of the better hobby (models, radio-control, rocketry,etc.) brands are BSI products with a label stuck on it.
I started using BSI long before turning my 1st pen and know it works well, so I stuck with it. I think you'll find it doesn't matter as much with epoxy as it does with CA.
I keep 5, 15 and 30 minute on hand (full strength in 1 hour, 2 hours, and 24 hours respectively).
I started using BSI long before turning my 1st pen and know it works well, so I stuck with it. I think you'll find it doesn't matter as much with epoxy as it does with CA.
I keep 5, 15 and 30 minute on hand (full strength in 1 hour, 2 hours, and 24 hours respectively).
Donovan
Member
I just get the 5 minutes epoxy from the hobby shop in 50 or 100ml bottles depending on the amount of pens that I have to make. Lucky the epoxy is used up before the expiry date lol
Donovan
Donovan
bgio13
Member
+1 on PSI epoxy. I also glue multiple tubes in and the 5 minute epoxy would start to harden before I had all the tubes in. Waiting is no problem as I glue on one day and turn the next. I also like that you can tint the epoxy with a little paint when gluing acrylic blanks that have been reverse painted.
Bill
jmbaker79
Member
I use the two part stick fast epoxy. I grab it from Klingspore when I am around. It is a 5 minute epoxy, but I usually turn them the next day, have not had any issues with this product. Cant recall the cost but its around $15maybe, and I only use it for glueing tubes, and segments, and it last forever.