Smooth-on tempature before glue up?

[Don Armstrong]

Glued up a glass bow a few days ago. I don't think I got the smooth-on warm enough due to having to mix more before finishing. I tried to lay it on thin but still ran out. I was afraid to get it to hot so I took it out of the heat box. How hot do you get it before mixing. Thanks, Don

[Robertfishes]

I run a dehumidifier and can run air cond or heater in my glue up room.. temps usually run 75 degrees, you don't want sweat dripping onto lams during glue up... I use a lot of smooth on and mix at least 9 fluid ozs.and usually come close to using all of it..I get a lot of squeeze out when I air up.. I used to mix 12 fluid oz of smooth on, before mixing I set cups of smooth on in hot box for a few minutes to heat glue to aprox 90 degrees?? I know others have their ways since they live where its colder and drier..

[Dick in Seattle]

I pre-heat the cans in my oven, then set them on a table next to where I'm laying up.  I use the "glop" measurement system, mixing on a one foot square piece of masonite.  I try to be generous with my glops and rarely run out, but, just in case, I rig a big clip on light fixture, the cheap one with the big aluminum shield and a 150 watt industrial bulb in it, on the edge of the table, just above the Smooth On cans.  On the couple of occasions when I did run short and had to re-mix, the glue was nice and warm.

[GREG IN MALAD]

I heat smooth-on to 80-90 degrees before mixing. If you get it too hot it will set up before you're done with the glue up.

[kennym]

70-75 min here

[Sixby]

I put some in the mix bowl and hit it with a heat gun real lightly. I just jeep doing that until it mixes real nice and is loose. I have never actually meausred the temp. Don't have any problems with the glue setting too fast or too slow . Like Dick I use the glop method. I like a slightly amber color when mixed. don't shortchange the mixing. mix about three minutes and turn it over a lot so there is not glue that is not molecularly mixxed.
God bless , Steve

[Buemaker]

How is it best to cure the Smooth-on after glue up? Thank you. Bue--.

[Don Armstrong]

Bue--, normally you use a heat box, made with light bulbs or heat strips to cure smooth-on. Many use different tempatures and times. I did 180F for 4 hours on my bow. It will also cure without heat but can delaminate, in high tempature like a hot car in summer, if left strung. Don

[Dick in Seattle]

IMHO heat box is best.   Tried and true old reliable technology.   I have heat strips but I use the box... same as I have a pressure hose system, but I use clamps.  I'm building a traditional bow, I figure I might as well build it in a traditional way.  

A heat box can be as simple as a the temporary arrangement of a board with three bulb sockets laid across a wood frame and covered with some kind of insulation to a well built wood box.   The latter proves awkward to store, but is the way to go if you're going to build a number of bows.   I built one to US Dept. of Defense bomb shelter standards        However, as stated, it's awkward.   I am in the planning stages of a new oven/layup bench unit where the oven will be either over the bench attached to the ceiling or beneath it.  

You can see  my "oven along" on my sight at  www.dickwightman.com    just click Traditional Archery Activities.

As to cooking, Hill Archery uses two hours at 150 degrees and apparently finds it fully adequate.   Seems short and low to me.  I use four hours at 160, unless I just lit my pipe when I looked up and noticed the time, in which case it gets 4 hours and 45 minutes.   In other words, it isn't critical.   Most of this stuff isn't.  Be sure to let it cool down before you go to work on it

Here's another sign from my shop wall:

"If you want to go to the moon, build a rocket.  If you want to shoot an arrow, build a bow.   Just don't get the two confused!"

[Buemaker]

Thank you, and Dick, lot of interesting stuff on your site. Bue--.

[Lee Robinson .]

I like it to be 75-80 degrees. Not cold, but not hot. I don't want it to cur at all until it is time. I just want it to flow enough. 70 degrees seems to be sufficient, but I prefer 75-80.

[legends1]

IMHO,i think its more workable at 70 degrees.Thats what works for me.

[Don Armstrong]

Thanks guys, I thought I used a little to much on my bow. I was thinking if it was thinner, I wouldn't use as much or have to much squeeze out. I will heat to 75F and see how it goes on the next one. Don