Epoxy not setting HELP!

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ctubbs

ctubbs

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Joined
Sep 12, 2010
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Murray, Kentucky
This is probably in the wrong place, but here goes.
I made up a lamination for my PITH using new Locktite 60 min Epoxy. I put it together Friday night with epoxy I bought at Lowes Friday afternoon. Here it is 23:15 Monday and it is still tacky. I found the "customer service" number for Locktite today and waited 20 minutes for a person to answer but all their 'Technicians were busy helping other customers.' the epoxy is still too loose to sand. It just clogs the belt. Does anyone have any ideas of how to force a cure? :confused: If a pic is needed, I will supply one.
Thank you for all your help.
Charles
 
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scrap it off and start over with some fresh epoxy

I had problems with the locktite before (years ago) and now only get mine from Monty.

I think my problem was the shelf life. I would just pick some up at walmart, even bought all I found at a dollar store once LOL I thought I found a gold mine...I was wrong. Lesson learned
 
You might try mixing a small test batch and just let it sit in a blob, see if it hardens as advertized. If a repeat, it is bad stuff. If it works, take the lamination apart if you can, and start over. I do not have any ideas for force cure, except trying mild heat, but after three days, that is unlikely to work. Is it possible that the natural sap of the PITH Pine is a contamination factor? You can test for that too. A final thought: buy from Monty!
 
I had it happen with ACE brand over the weekend also. Quite disappointing to find out when you go to drill and next thing you know you have pushed your tube right out of your blank as your squaring it.

Phil
 
I'd try a little heat before giving up. Also, keep the mixing cup in the future, it helps diagnosis DAMHIKI...

Tom
 
Thanks everyone. I knew that if anyone knew how, it would be someone here. I do not think it is the pine as it failed to set between cleaned metal strips also. You guys are my heros. Thanks again.
Charles
 
Charles...
Just my two cents worth. It sounds like either a mixing problem or old epoxy. I have found that the Loctite 30 minute epoxy still works very well after 2 years. I'd look closely at my mixing ratio.

If I am ever in doubt about 1:1.....a try to err on the "too much hardner" side.
 
Thanks Andy. This epoxy was made Feb. of 2010 so it should be good according to Locktite's MSDS. I also make a special effort to be even or slightly extra on hardner and mix well. Just something about this batch that does not play well. Still trying to reach Tech support just to grip if nothing else. Thanks for the help.
Charles
 
Sounds like it set too long and the oils separated from the resin. Any time I buy two part epoxy I make sure it isn't a dual tube dispenser because it's hard to see the oils come out first. I generally knead the resin tube to make sure it hasn't separated before I squeeze any out.
 
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