What epoxy

Gliden07

Gliden07

Well-Known Member
What kind of epoxy does everyone use?? I used what I had for my first and have enough to do my second. Running out now and want to get something better than I have/had.
 
West Systems G-Flex, mostly. I have used KMG epoxy in the past. Just a bit thicker. It works well for making mosaic pins.

DeMo
 
How many knives are you doing? If only doing 2 or 3, it is more economical to buy the small twin tube dispenser you can find at any big box store. Devcon 2 Ton and JB Weld are high strength that take 20 minutes plus to set. JB Weld ClearWeld sets in 5 minutes and cures in 1 hour. what these makers put in small tubes is the same epoxy they sell in 55 gallon drums to industry.
more more in depth discussion, try https://knifedogs.com/threads/epoxy-issue.45152/ the most important step of getting a good glue joint is not buying West Systems or Raka or New England epoxy, it is proper surface preparation and cleanliness.
 
If you are only making 2 or 3 knives at a time, the small twin tube from Devcon or JB Weld will work fine. read the packages closely, some set in 5 minutes, some take over 20 minutes to set. This subject is one of those recurring themes that keeps coming back. Start with this thread and the links within to see all the gory details of "Epoxy Wars". What keeps coming back is that surface preparation and cleanliness is much more important than the brand name of the adhesive.
 
"the most important step of getting a good glue joint is not buying West Systems or Raka or New England epoxy, it is proper surface preparation and cleanliness."

Agree!
 
I will give both surfaces a sand with 220 grit before applying the epoxy to make sure it is clean and has a nice set of scratches to give the bonding a gripping surface, and have a pair of syringes with the small one measuring in .2 cc and the larger one in 1cc increments. It is easy to get enough for a single knife with the 5 to one of the syringes. Have a small jar of denatured alchahol to clean the syringes and have done dozens of knives with them with no sign that these need replacing but as they only cost pennies I think this is a very cost effective epoxy.
 
I just read the g-flex instructions. It states to use 80 grit against the grain and wipe with white paper towels and acetone (or equivalent). As stated above follow the directions for a good joint. It also recommends running a propane flame along any plastic liner material to help with adhesion.
 
The way I have been doing it is. Finish sand blade, wrap with painters tape, hit tang with 80-100g, sand scales flat on 80-100g on a piece of 1/4" plate glass, wipe the tang and scales with finger nail polish remover (Acetone), put this all on either wax paper or a clean paper towel, mix epoxy apply to scales and tang install and clamp, and the most important thing turn off my phone!!
 
I guess I did not read the instructions for G-flex well enough. If you read what Acetone is used for you will find out that it removes epoxy. Rubbing alcohol is a better choice in my opinion.
 
I'm sure alcohol works well since I've used it with success. If you use acetone you wait until it evaporates before applying epoxy per the directions.
 
opaul said:
I'm sure alcohol works well since I've used it with success. If you use acetone you wait until it evaporates before applying epoxy per the directions.
Click to expand...
If you look at the blade in the right light you will still see a small film that Acetone leaves behind. If it is working for you by all means still use it. What works for me might not work for you.
 
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