Question for the knife makers.

[crosslandkelly]

I'm in the process of putting a Yew handle and brass mosaic pin on one of my Moras, and was wondering which epoxy glue you prefer, for strength, usability and setting speed. I've used Araldite on jobs in the past and found it to be good. Is there a better brand?

Cheers,
Colin.

 

[HillBill]

I use Zpoxy 30 minute cure. Great stuff, you got a lot more for your money over alaldite. If you're not using much then might just be better to get smaller tubes of araldite or devcon 2 ton

 

[crosslandkelly]

Cheers Mark, if this one is a success, I've got two more Moras, a 10" Bowie and of course the bushy I bought from you. Do you get your materials online?

 

[Big G]

I used this to repair a crack on the plastic bumper on a car : http://www.halfords.com/motoring/paints-body-repair/fillers-preparation/davids-fastglass-glass-fibre-kit-small you can buy the resin and hardener separate.. i've used it for odd jobs around the house to.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Is that the same as an adhesive like Araldite?

 

[HillBill]

No its not mate.

I get mine online yes, only because I've not found Zpoxy in a shop. You can get araldite and devcon in B&Q and the like.

A small pack of araldite will do a good few knives, so should be all you need.

 

[Big G]

I'm no knife maker.. but the fastglass and hardener from halfords will deffo secure handles on knifes. You've got about a five minute working time before it sets solid.

 

[crosslandkelly]

£4.99 at Screwfix, two minutes from me.



Thanks guys.

 

[Big G]

£4.99 at Screwfix, two minutes from me.

View attachment 40684

Thanks guys.

Yep.. as you say you've used it before with good results.. the fastglass you get 250ml of resin.. but you have to buy the hardener.

 

[HillBill]

The 5 minute stuff isn't as good as the white and blue ones which takes about 16 hours to cure before you can work with it. Much stronger bond though.

 

[crosslandkelly]

I've just hit the button on this. Looks like it will be okay.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Araldite-Extra-Strong-Precision-Adhesive/dp/B0001OZH4O

 

[HillBill]

Thats the stuff.

 

[C_Claycomb]

Degrease everything being bonded with something like acetone (sold as cleaner for that expanding foam) or brake disk cleaner, both can be had from Screwfix.

Slow epoxy is always better than the fast kind. Toughened is better than brittle. Industrial grades will always be better than that blue hobby Araldite. Devcon 2-Ton has been proven inferior to pretty much everything it was tested against. The stuff sold by Golf Smith as shafting epoxy, 18+ hour cure for sticking golf club heads to shafts is very good. Lots of places do use standard Araldite for this, but my experience has been that the specialist stuff is better. West Systems G-Flex is very good.

Acraglas stock bedding compound is the best for hidden tangs.

Good luck!

 

[crosslandkelly]

That is what I like about this forum, the breadth of knowledge so willingly shared.

 

[Robson Valley]

Maybe you've noticed some of the crooked knives in my wood carving kit. 12-14(?) of them, surface hafted, PacNW style.
I've been using JB QwikWeld epoxy. It's a dirty gray when mixed and there's not much open time.
However, nary a wiggle in carving and I'm not gentle with them at all.

 

[crosslandkelly]

I have indeed seen your knives, and like them.

 

[Baelfore]

I use Xpoxy, both 5min work time (red one) for simple hanldes that won't get much strain, such as carving tools, and 16+ cure time (blue one) for more intricate general use knives where there wil be more strain or due to the handle design/spacers 5 minutes is not enough to get it made up. comes in tubes and the syringe form.

hope this helps.


atb
Ste

 

[crosslandkelly]

I use Xpoxy, both 5min work time (red one) for simple hanldes that won't get much strain, such as carving tools, and 16+ cure time (blue one) for more intricate general use knives where there wil be more strain or due to the handle design/spacers 5 minutes is not enough to get it made up. comes in tubes and the syringe form.

hope this helps.


atb
Ste

Many thanks.