Smooth on

[wood carver 2]

I am ready to glue up a longbow riser with a glass I-beam and I began to wonder if it's ok to use smooth on in the house. Does it have a strong smell or give off fumes that would bother people?
I was working in the basement as it's just above freezing in the garage.
Dave.

[takefive]

It has that epoxy resin smell, but IMO it's pretty mild and doesn't linger.  I only notice it when I'm mixing and spreading it on.
Then again, my basement shop only smells good when I work with Eastern Red Cedar.  

[macbow]

It has some smell but not nasty.
Glued up many bows,with it in the basement in the past.

[wood carver 2]

Thanks guys. On my way to get it glued then.      
Dave.

[Robertfishes]

I have a bathroom exhaust fan mounted in the ceiling above my glue up bench. I like to run it when using smooth on. Like the other guys said it has a smell but not overpowering.. I just like to pull fresh air thru the shop when gluing.

[Pago]

Guys read the friggin MSDS wear a respirator especially in an enclosed area or area with poor ventilation.  I'm friends with a bowyer we has developed sensitivity to it and it's not pretty, it's also very sad to see a person who wants to make bows but can't due to the condition.

These safety data sheets are written under industrial standards where adequate ventilation usually means a fume extractor.

"Respiratory Protection:
  Respiratory protection is not normally required when using this product
with adequate ventilation.
Should a respirator be needed, follow OS
HA respirator regulations 29
CFR 1910.134 and European Standards EN 141,
143 and 371; wear an MSHA/NIOSH or
European Standards EN 141, 14
3 and 371 approved respirators equipped with organic vapor
cartridges."

[takefive]

I guess if I made bows for a living (ahh...I wish) and worked with the stuff every day, I'd be more concerned.  It's also possible for an individual to develop an allergy to almost anything while another person is unaffected by the same thing.
I feel bad for your friend.  But it wouldn't stop me from making bows.  I'd switch to Unibond and make wood lam bows.  If I found out I was allergic to that, I'd make selfbows where no epoxy is needed.

[Roy from Pa]

Well unibond800 has formaldehyde in it. There are warnings on the label too. Lol

[takefive]

Guess I'm back to selfbows, then.  

Dave...you still with us?

[wood carver 2]

Still here! I was at my Sister's house for Easter dinner and to shoot a few arrows with my Niece.
I mixed up a small amount to glue up a riser with a glass I beam. I hardly noticed the smell. I did, however take the precaution of wearing gloves. Getting epoxy resin on your skin is a quick way to become sensitized.
When the time comes to glue up the rest of the bow, I might wait for a warm day and do it in the garage, just to be safe.
One thing I noticed. My basement is about 68 degrees and the epoxy was about as thick as cream cheese. I even spread it using a plastic knife.       Should I heat it a bit next time so it flows better? I brought it upstairs to cure where it's warmer and by morning it was rock hard. I also learned that waxed paper is excellent for wrapping the glue up to keep the epoxy off your clamps. Once it hardened, I just unwrapped it and no paper stuck.
Dave.

[Roy from Pa]

Yup on wax paper. I use freezer paper and place the waxy side towards the glue. Like you said, the paper peels right off.

[monterey]

Geez, Roy, go to bed!

[wood carver 2]

Were you up all night, or did you get up early to listen to the turkeys this morning?
Dave.

[Roy from Pa]

Always up early.  Wife works day light shift. 4 45 rise and shine..

[JamesV]

If you heat the epoxy it will set faster. On risers I double wrap with shrink wrap and cure in the stove oven at 170 degrees.

[wood carver 2]

I will have to use heat if I glue up in the basement. I don't have a box built, but I build a tent using a heavy moving blanket and heat with a small space heater. I get a temperature between 160 and 180 degrees. I've checked the temperature at both ends of the tent and it's the same even though the heater blows from one end.
How long do you recommend to leave the heater on?
Dave.

[Canadian Idle]

Hi, do you have to use a heat box or what ever to cure smooth-on, or is it just as strong and cure as well if left at room temp.
Thanx,...Lloyd

[mwosborn]

It is explained well here:

  http://www.smooth-on.com/tb/files/EA40.pdf  

But basically it cures fine at room temperatures in 24 hours.  Some properties are improved if curing temps are higher.

[wood carver 2]

Thanks for the info! After reading the instructions, I have another question. It says that it can be mixed at a 1 to 1 ratio, but a 2 to 1 ratio will improve the bond and heat resistance.
So what ratio do you use?
I glued my riser with a 2 to 1 mix.
Dave.

[Roy from Pa]

1 to 1.