Epoxy

[SouthMDShooter]

Hey im lookin to buy some more epoxy, what is the best kind for knife building purposes? Thanks

[Steve Nuckels]

Good question!  I'll be interested in this.

[Leftieshot]

Don't know if its the best but I like Devcon epoxy.  I think its has a 12hr set time.

[Ray Hammond]

I use Devcon 5 minute epoxy for scale attachment,and building mosaic pins. Wally World, 1.85 a tube

[skullworks]

I use the Devcon Epoxy that comes in two seperate bottles. Sets up in about 5 minutes.

[tippit]

I maybe different but I've found a super glue gel from Woodcraft that really bonds well to steel.  I've had the little bit of heat from finish grinding pop off epoxy...but this glue I've actually completely ground off a scale and had to grind off the glue residue...Doc

[kbaknife]

One thing to remember is that - normally - the longer the set time, the stronger the adhesive bond.
I use 5 minute epoxy occasionally to hold things temporarily, but for permanent bonds, use the 24 hour stuff.
As well, and I'll admit that it's a little high-dollar, but I use Marine Epoxy. And I'll tell you why. I heard from a guy who should know, that some of the tube-type epoxis break down over time! They dissolve and deteriorate. Why? So you'll go back and buy more. In today's market that somehow doesn't surprise me.
However, marine epoxies don't. Why? Because they don't want to be responsible for your boat sinking! It also impervious to cleaning chemicals, like would be used to clean a boat, and will not dissolve.
I say don't buy the cheap stuff.
Find the most expensive stuff you can buy.
I use West System Epoxie. It can be found on-line

[Jeremy]

I use either devon 2-ton, or RAKA systems marine epoxy.  The other reason I really like the marine epoxy is that it's thinner than the typical tube epoxy and can be used as a penetrating finish without thinning it further.  Rub it on, wipe it off, wait 2 hours and repeat until you have the finish built up to your liking.

[Ray Hammond]

I'll take your suggestion on the marine expoxy, fellas, just because in the grand scheme of things its not that much more expensive, given the scale on which we are using it.

However,just three days ago I tried to remove one of my knife scales because of an error- I had to resort to sawing the slab off, then grinding the crap out of the residue! It took the full good out of a new 80 grit belt to get it off.

[Leftieshot]

Does humidity have any affect on the adhesive bond?  I didn't do anything to my knives over the weekend because of all the rain we got yesterday.

[Ray Hammond]

Jeremy,
I went to West Marine to try to get marine epoxy, and decided to contact RAKA direct in FL. The guy was really nice, helped me out, gave me some samples of stuff other than I bought to try, on the promise I would report back to TG Knife Crafters on how they worked...so thats what I am going to do.

Thanks for the tip!

[Montauks]

I've always been a fan of 24 hr. "JB- Weld", it's grey in color though.

[LC]

I was taught by a guy who has used the Devcon 5 minute epoxy glue from Wal Mart. He's used it extensivley making a average of 80 knives a month (hidden tang in deer antler) for decades with not a single failure. The Locktite brand sold at Lowes around here doesn't seem comparable and he doesn't use it either. However on other knife forums I visit they all hate the Devcon 5 minute glue and say it's the worst of any glue you can use. I've only had one problem with it and thats when I tried sanding wooden tangs down to size when they was way oversized and the sanding over heated it up to much and it let loose and I hadn't let it fully cure. Dabbed some super glue in those areas and it's held up great. Now adays I let if fully cure 24hrs and bandsaw the handle close to shape so  only minor sanding  and shaping is necessary.

[Rob DiStefano]

I use NHP slow set epoxy exclusively for my luthiery work - it'll set up nice within an hour or so, but takes a full cure within 24 hours.  It's also mixing friendly, doesn't require tight tolerances on the mixture ratio.  Using that goop for arrow inserts and points make for a killer weld that's totally waterproof (unlike any 5 minute epoxy).  

 

[Jeremy]

Ray,
Between my father and I we've bought probably 5-6 gallons of stuff from RAKA (we've done some strip canoes, but that's another topic   )  They've always been extremely helpful in the past and I'm glad to see it's continued.