Best place to buy slow drying epoxy

[cody michael]

At school in woodshop we had epoxy that came in 2 metal square cans with a pump on the top. it was pretty slow drying an hour or more work time normally let dry ovenight. i like that stuff way better then any of the quick dry stuff i've been able to find locally. anyone know where i could buy something similair from?

[Michael Peet]

Was it West System? There are different hardeners that cure at different rates. I got mine at West Marine but I have also seen it at a local woodworking store. Or online, of course.

Mike

[Richard Wolf]

Sounds like West Epoxy System. Any good marine supply should have it.

Richard

[Kevin Looker]

If you live in Midland, West Systems is out of Bay City.

Kevin Looker

[James Mudler]

I have been extremely pleased with the US Composites product line

http://www.shopmaninc.com/epoxy.html

[Philip Rodriquez]

West Epoxy System. I purchased the same thing at Rockler. You will need the resin and the slow cure epoxy. They also make the pumps that take the measuring out of the mixture. Great stuff.

[Mike Henderson]

The West Systems with the slow hardener is really slow. But if you mix a bunch of it, make sure you use a wide flat container. If you put it in a cup or some other small container, the chemical reaction will generate heat and it will harden MUCH faster. The wide flat container allows the heat to dissipate so the mixture doesn't get so hot and you get the full open time. Another alternative is to put your small container in ice.

Don't even ask how I learned this.

Mike

[John Coloccia]

I've been using West for many years and have been very pleased. Mike is 100% right about the container, by the way. I use wide paper cups, the style used for ice cream. If I mix up a large batch, I'll mix in one cup and then divide it up among one or more cups, or if I'm doing a fiberglass layup I'll get it on the work as quickly as I can (i.e. the glass is already cut and layed down, and all I have to do is pour and spread).

Don't be afraid to buy the can even if it seems like too much. It'll pretty much never go bad, although it does get cloudy and dark when it sits around too long. There's a way to return it to clear, but I forget what it is (microwave it for a few seconds, perhaps?). And definitely buy the ratio pumps. This isn't a 1 to 1 mix, and you'll never get it right without the pump.

Another good local source for West is your local hobby shop. It's very popular for fiberglass layups. You may pay a little more at the local shop, but if you order it I believe you will have to pay for hazmat shipping, and that can completely negate any pricing difference. It certainly did when I lived in California!

[Larry Edgerton]

The people that started West System are boat builders, still are, and also manufacture many of the huge wind turbine blades that you see in the midwest using the lessons that they have learned. They are the pioneers of the epoxy world and have a tech line that is second to none. There is no other source for epoxy in my work. Call and get their tech manual nad get on the mailing list for Epoxyworks, their newsletter. In it you will find tips from their ongoing research as well as how-to's and finished projects that will blow your mind.

[Peter Quinn]

Locally I have seen West Systems and System 3 epoxy. I use West systems at work. Where to buy it? My local building yard carries it, wood craft carries it, and most marine stores carry it.

[cody michael]

ok thanks there is a rockler just down the road i'll have to get some with the pumps

[Myk Rian]

Hobby shops usually carry different types of epoxy.

[Doug Shepard]

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/search_subCategory.do?categoryName=Epoxy%20Resin&categoryId=589&refine=1&page=GRID

[Darryl Hazen]

Mike Henderson brings up a good point. Epoxies can generate enough heat to go exothermic and either burst into flame or smolder. The reaction can take hours to reach the point of ignition so don't leave it unattended and be sure to dispose of it properly.

[Wayne Cannon]

General-purpose epoxy resins and hardeners are thin enough to work well with a pump. Unfortunately, they also tend to be runny and are better suited as coatings than as adhesives. You can get general-purpose epoxy with slow, medium, and fast hardeners from System Three, West Systems, etc.

System Three has a formulation I like specifically designed for use as a woodworking adhesive (SilverTip Gel Magic) so you don't have to add fillers to keep it from drooling all over and tougher than general-purpose resins for wood's expansion and contraction without cracking. It's too thick, however, to realistically use with a pump. I just pour from the container using a scale.

I have no relationship with System Three, except that I really like their Gel Magic product for use as a woodworking adhesive -- especially its "no drool" and "no fillers" properties.

"GelMagic is a toughened ... epoxy adhesive designed for superior bonding to wood ... a soft, thixotropic [spreads easily, but stays put], sag-resistant paste when mixed. GelMagic requires no additional ... fillers and can be applied to vertical and overhead surfaces without running, eliminating the mess and waste associated with other epoxies. GelMagic ... creates an adhesive bond that is tougher and more resistant to embrittlement than other epoxy adhesives. Two hardeners are available: Regular and Slow (for extra-long working time)."

"Specifically designed for optimum adhesive properties. Not a general-purpose resin made for coating and then modified with filler to act as an adhesive. Also use GelMagic as a high strength, gap filling, waterproof adhesive for general woodworking and architectural applications."

http://www.systemthree.com/p_st_gelmagic.asp

[lou sansone]

west marine and get the thickener agent so you can tailor the thickness to the application. Jamestown distributors is the best around

Lou

[AL Ursich]

I use UV Cure one part Epoxy for Doming in Gallon Cans and I found the Walmart Mustard Pumps to fit nicely in the can with a extension hose and work fine for my use.

AL

[Brian White]

I have been extremely pleased with the US Composites product line

http://www.shopmaninc.com/epoxy.html
Thanks for that link James the prices look very good on this product compared to the others. Have you used west system or the other one to compare to the US Composites product line?

[Tony Bilello]

At school in woodshop we had epoxy that came in 2 metal square cans with a pump on the top. it was pretty slow drying an hour or more work time normally let dry ovenight. i like that stuff way better then any of the quick dry stuff i've been able to find locally. anyone know where i could buy something similair from?


This was probably West System Epoxy. The pumps are designed for the proper ratios of the Part A and Part B. This is a very versatile epoxy system. All epoxies are temperature sensitive. The slow drying Part B is actually for use in hot weather and the fast drying is for cold weather. There is technical data that is very easy to read with graphs and charts in where you select the temperature range you will most likely be using it in and it will give you the 'kick-over' time. You can almost set your clock by it. Basically, in summer you want the slow drying and in winter you want the fast drying. If you live in the south, you want the "Tropical Hardener" in the summer time. Most other brands that dont have the different hardeners usually pick an average like 75*F and you will have to adjust because it will kick-off faster on a hot day and slower on a cool day. There is no such thing as an 'all-temp' epoxy in which it work the same in any temp.
Also there are a few different thickeners. Some are for added strength which dont sand well and some are designed for filling and sand easily with a lesser strength. With West System epoxy, there is a product for almost any occasion.
I generally use small throw-away cups for mixing. The LOML buys the pre-made jello for snacks and the cups are perfect for mixing epoxy. When kicking-off (exotherming), the epoxy can get very hot and start smoking.
When I am finished using it, I set the cup on the concrete floor in my shop away from other objects. Then throw it away later. I also leave the mixing stick and brush in the cup so I can feel at which stage of hardening it is.
You can mix their epoxy with the fillers from amywhere from a syrup consistancy to a peanut butter consistancy - literally!!!!!.
Also add sawdust to it to color it to match my wood after mixing the Parts A & B.
Great stuff, very versatile, not cheap.

[Paul Douglass]

I have used RAKA products a lot and never had a problem. They are somewhat cheaper than West. Good outfit to do business with.

http://www.raka.com/