Devcon 2 ton epoxy expired?

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BallewBlade

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Oct 10, 2011
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I bought some Devcon 2 Ton Epoxy about 2 years ago, which has always worked awsome for me. I glued up some scales on a full tang blade recently and I noticed one of them pulled away from the tang a few weeks later after the blade sat in my shed. I think I have heard before that epoxy can expire, so what have been some of your experiences, does it go bad after a while and lose its efficiency? Thanks! :thumbup:
 
Yes.

I have had Devcon in un opened twin syringes have one barrel go completely solid, others have refused to mix smoothly, some won't set fully. I have some NHP epoxy in bottles that is still working after 10 years, but I don't trust it for structural bonding, only filling where I need clear glue. My golf shafting epoxy has lasted well, and still has good strength. Won't ever buy Devcon again. It did not do well in the Glue Wars and I have not been impressed with its performance even when fresh, compared to more specialised toughened epoxy.
 
I bought 30 minute epoxy on Amazon and didn't look at it until I was ready to use it about 4 months later.
The hardener was like a hot glue stick. Probably not a good idea to stock up on epoxies.
 
What is the recommended epoxy for mating scales to tang, anyway? I use the Devcon 30 minute from Amazon (there is only 5 minute locally), haven't had issues....yet. I keep hearing about G-flex. Is that the go to stuff??
 
As an ex-boatbuilder, I have tried a lot of epoxies. Most of them, when cured, are fairly rigid. Since the scale and blade expand and contract at different rates and different amounts when undergoing temp. changes, the epoxy needs to have a slight amount of give. G-flex is formulated to have that slight amount (not enough to be visible) of give. IMHO, it's probably better than Acraglas for that reason.

Tim
 
Cool G flex sound like the stuff to buy, I like that it has the ability to flex, does it expire though?^^^ thanks for all the input guys!
 
G/flex has a five year shelf life. Keep it cool and it will last longer.

Chuck
 
I've had to redo some knife handles done with Devcon, but never with G-flex, and, surprisingly, never with JB Weld or PC7, which is similar.
 
I too had 2 knives that the handles just separated on that I had to replace. Both of those were with the Devcon and right at the 2 year mark, I used lots of other epoxies and evven Gorilla glue. After doing a lot of research I found a lot of good info on Arcagalas and that a lot of makers I respected were using it. Ordered some up and while it was good stuff it was too picky on its temp requirements. Wanted to be above 72 degrees while curing. That wasn't gonna happen with how I worked. I make knives in Dec as well as July. Kept reasearching and found a lot of good info on Gflex and again a lot of folks I respected were using it. Ordered up some small bottles from Chuck and tried it out. I'm on my 4th set of large bottles now. Could not recommend this stuff higher and Chuck is where to get it.
 
Just two weeks ago I had same issue with Devcon 2 ton epoxy. One of the syringes crystalized. I bought two and both were the same. I then returned to the store where I purchased them abd the store clerk and I opened 4 more to no avail. He then refunded me and pointed out that they have the West system epoxy. Never looked back. You can mix it with different hardners to make it fast or slow. It is thinner and flows which works for my application.
 
For man-made scales, the Loctite Speed Bonder 324 came out very high in the Glue Wars. There was also an epoxy, E120HP which isn't available in the UK, but was in the US when I last looked. I know there are a host of industrial adhesives that would be better than most things found in the local hardware store. Okay, so Devcon 2Ton is sold as industrial, and does have a data sheet, but at least if you mail order it from an industrial supply company it probably won't have been sitting on the shelf too long.

There are a lot of other products out there from 3M, Loctite, and Huntsman too.

A maker I know and respect picked 3M Scotchweld DP460NS with very good results.
http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/...-tm-epoxy-adhesive-dp460-ns-and-off-white.PDF

For those that want to do the hardware route, and don't remember the 2005 threads Sando and TMickley started...they are gold, and should be read before you start experimenting.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/337043-Glue-Wars-the-battlefield-is-set
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-the-battlefield-is-set?p=2959728#post2959728

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/337504-Glue-Wars-2?p=3236798
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/337504-Glue-Wars-2?p=3236798#post3236798
 
Horsewright said:
I too had 2 knives that the handles just separated on that I had to replace. Both of those were with the Devcon and right at the 2 year mark, I used lots of other epoxies and evven Gorilla glue. After doing a lot of research I found a lot of good info on Arcagalas and that a lot of makers I respected were using it. Ordered some up and while it was good stuff it was too picky on its temp requirements. Wanted to be above 72 degrees while curing. That wasn't gonna happen with how I worked. I make knives in Dec as well as July. Kept reasearching and found a lot of good info on Gflex and again a lot of folks I respected were using it. Ordered up some small bottles from Chuck and tried it out. I'm on my 4th set of large bottles now. Could not recommend this stuff higher and Chuck is where to get it.
Click to expand...
Yeah I think I'm going to order some from him soon here, and thanks everyone else for your input
 
I read a thread from Ed Caffey where he recommended Acraglas. I was having problems with devcon. Kept popping apart. I tried the Acraglas. I love it. Great bond. Long shelf life. Long working time. Devcon is water resistant where Acraglas is water proof. Can't say enough. Thanks Ed for the advise.
 
I have some gflex that has had the red cap half change to the color of honey. My shop often is over 90 deg. Is that an indication that it has gone bad?
 
All glues should be kept cool and dry. Temperature extremes will ruin them very quickly. If you don't have a climate-controlled shop, keep your glues in the house.
 
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