Epoxy - But which one ??

[Treeesa]

Saw the thread recently about the age old CA or Epoxy - jury seemed 50/50

So if using Epoxy - is there a preferred brand amongst us? I understand the heat issue and so on but does brand make a difference or is the pound shop the same as Loctite


Thoughts and opinions welcome

 

[Penpal]

IMHO you get what you pay for I use neither for pen glue ups preferring Gorilla Glue I have tried both CA and Epoxy firstly the 5 minute one (waste of breath it hardens too fast) had good results and stronger from the longer one. Had a brass stick half way pain in the bum with CA used most every glue besides with success, I tried always to buy my glues top of the range from busy places to get fresh as I could. Have success mate.

Peter.

 

[Phil Dart]

Hi Andy - I'm not going to try to influence your buying decision, firstly because I'm a Gorilla Glue fan, and secondly because my website stocks a 5 minute epoxy, (also made by Gorilla)

The reason I tell you this is because although I routinely use polyurethane gorilla glue, if I need to glue and turn in a hurry, I do use the 5 minute stuff, which without bias I can say is excellent, but the point is that there is a forum members' discount code for both gorilla products that you might not be aware of, which is GORFM10.

Take the advice you need and reach your decision, but if you decide you want any of the Gorilla products from Beaufort Ink, the above code will get you a discount.

 

[Bigblackdog]

i would also recommend the gorilla PU. I haven't used their epoxy yet, so cannot comment on that.

 

[Doug]

I bought my epoxy 22 months ago from Harrogate from these folk Five minute epoxy resin adhesive fast set clear glue 5 min set super strength bonds every time two large bottles that have lasted really well & are still in good condition, couldn't be happier.

 

[flexi]

I m in the Gorrila glue camp....if it aint broke why change

 

[rowdyyates115]

Go Gorilla Go......

 

[Skil Phil]

I have used Gorilla PU for a lot of projects and like it.
Haven't used for a pen though. (haven't made one for over a year)
Just an observation but reading some of the USA forums it not a popular choice.
When I do make another pen will try it.
Phil

 

[yorkshireman]

Gorilla pu for me

 

[Dalboy]

Epoxy or Gorilla Glue for me I only use CA for finishing and stabilising cracks in bowls ect The advantage of epoxy is you can colour it if needed so has more than one use in my stable

 

[Grump]

I can't use the stuff because of what it's made from but if I do need to, I get my Drain to mix up some Poundland stuff when I am not around and ditch everything when finished.
I can return when its cured so I don't gonna spend no fortunes on it init?

 

[cookie21]

Gorilla pu for me

 

[Jim]

My last three glue ups have all been Gorrilla, a converted CA man ..

 

[Penpal]

The plain Gorilla glue cheap as chips works great caution with the Poly one check on the glue up a little after or take precautions there are many conspiracy theories but it expands and can push out the brass a bit easy fixed before and soon after.

Peter.

 

[AllenN]

I have had a few problems with Gorilla glue with tubes coming unstuck. No problems at all with 5 min epoxy although I usually leave it overnight or at least a couple of hours. The stuff I use is Evode in the two little tubes. Mix what I need and its fine. Seems to store well provided one is careful and keep the correct cap on the correct tube! Just my five pennyworth for what it is worth.

 

[qquake2k]

When I started turning pens in 1999, I first tried CA, but after the first time I got a tube stuck halfway in a blank, I decided to try something else. I tried Gorilla polyurethane glue, but it didn't work for me. I then tried 5 minute epoxy, and have been using that exclusively since. I generally use Bob Smith epoxy that I get from a local hobby shop. I also use it for high power rockets, my other hobby. It's available in 5, 15, and 30 minute versions, in case you need longer working time.

Premium Adhesive for Hobby, Hardware and Recreation

 

[Pierre]

I use 30 minute z poxy from Axminster, Phil Dart is almost convincing me to try gorilla not because of its gluing potential but because I have to glue up so many at a time I want to reduce the mixing time and because by the time I have glued up 14 blanks (7 pens) the glue is beginning to harden. On the other hand I have used this epoxy glue for the last 6 years without a single unstick!! I did have a tub of gorilla which bought 2 years ago I went to use it this year (it had not ever been opened, still in the cardboard presentation surround) and it was a solid block!!

PG

 

[wm460]

Tried CA and gorilla glue, now only use Araldite epoxy,

Selleys Araldite Super Strength - Epoxy Adhesive | Selleys Australia

As for heat the link said this,
Bond strength weakens above 100°C but strength is regained when temperature drops

 

[Phil Dart]

The main reason, in my experience, why people shy away from PU Gorilla glue, is because they don't know how to use it properly, and they end up either with with tubes moving during the curing process, or insufficient bonding resulting in a glue failure. Do it properly, and Gorilla glue cannot be beaten - for two reasons - one, it gives you a good open time for batch production, and two, it gives you a good open time for batch production!!!!!

By which I mean.... you don't get a tube stuck halfway in because CA has cured before the tube is fully inserted, and you don't have a problem with mixing two epoxy components which you then have to somehow apply to tubes before it goes hard.

I use Pu Gorilla Glue on a daily basis and never has a tube moved during curing, and I have never ever had a glue failure.

See the thread here from a few weeks ago. http://www.penturners.co.uk/tools-e...11419-stopping-tubes-moving-gorilla-glue.html

Gorilla glue has an opened shelf life of about a year. I use it (and Beaufort Ink stocks it) in 60ml bottles, which for me lasts not very long at all. But I am always assured of a fresh bottle that way, and for lower volume users, if there is still some left after a year, if it does go off it's not to much to throw away.

 

[Walter]

Personally I use epoxy but I can see Phil's point about PU which in addition to facilitating batch production is a good gap filler (which is useful if you are crap at drilling which also seems to be a popular problem). Why anyone uses CA defeats me. I assume it is down to impatience.