If you use DEVCON read this.

RMLamey

RMLamey

Joined
Nov 13, 1998
Messages
2,598
just want to give everyone a heads up, maybe save you some grief.

I was putting together a knife yesturday, opened a new "syringe" of slow set devcon. Did everything by the book (as always), noticed that while "painting" the devcon on my handle slabs, the mixing cup had a "mist" rising off of it. I finished "painting" the slab and tang, then assembled everthing quickly.

I reach over to check the cup out and it is already starting to set, getting stiff etc...

This all happened within 2 minutes of me opening the new "syringe".

I was able to get everything together in time, but i may not have if i hadnt noticed the mixing cup "smoking".

This was the slow set epoxy, NOT the 5 minute. Im not sure why this happened, but i suggest everyone do a "test" mix before you start on an actual job.

Thanks, Matt.

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"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty"
Thomas Jefferson

www.lameyknives.com
 
are you sure it was the slow stuff? I openened a pakage of 2ton the other day and it was actually the 5 min type inside and if you mix the 5min type well it sets up in less than 5minutes.Or maybe the wrong formula got into the wrong syringe.Iv'e never had this happen with the 2 ton but who knows. I think I'll do as you suggest and do a test run 1st.Thanx for the heads up!
 
i use t88....slower the set, the stronger the epoxy bond...one problem may be the size of your batch....epoxy is endothermic, which means it goes off from internal heat..the larger the mass the quicker the kick...put it on a palate of carbboard or something when you mix it and keep it thinned out and it will go off way slower (22 years in the surfboard biz) good luck
smile.gif


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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
If you mix more than a few ounces at a time you will notice 8-hour epoxy self heating. On hot days it will set a lot faster from air temperature and accelerated self heating. You can generally feel almost any amount of 5-minute epoxy self heating. It sounds like you got a mispackaged batch of 5-minute epoxy labeled as 8-hour.

I used to use epoxy a lot in about 6 ounce (by weight) batches. I would mix it in 10 ounce (by volume) disposable clear plastic cocktail glasses. These would get a little warm, but would not be difficult to use. When I needed to mix epoxy in batches that were about 10 times as large I would mix in a coffee can and keep the can in an ice bucket while I worked.

 
I think the problem might be that you bought the stuff in a syringe. I bought one of those not to long ago thinking it looked like it would be easy to use and I've decided it was one of the dumbest things I ever did. I never use a whole tube of epoxy at once since I'm not making that many knives, and the syringes don't store well because that little cap doesn't hook on tight enough. Thats annoying, but the real trouble is the bubbles inside the tubes. They make it almost impossible to get a good half and half mixture of resin and hardener. One side starts coming out before the other and your stuck that way unless you want to squeeze a bunch out until its coming out even, then squeeze out the right mixture into the mixing cup. But that wastes a tube in a hurry.

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We got a five dollar fine for whining
We tell you before you come in
So if it ain't on your mind to have a good time
Y'all come back and see us again.- Chris LeDoux
 
As Jeff Clark stated, if it is hot outside, it sets up quite a bit quicker. Living on the Gulf coast, I used to put Devcon in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or so and then take it out and use it. It wouldn't set up as quickly.

By the way, I now use shafting epoxy from Golfsmith.

C Wilkins
 
Hey Guys...

I agree with Tom....

When I want plastic to set up quicker I use heat...

Crazy glue works really well like this....
Apply it and hit it with a hair dryer or a heat gun and Bingo it sets right up...

It also works if you heat the piece you are glueing as well..
Toss the piece in a bucket and train a hairdryer in there, then apply the glue...

Here in the shop when I mix small batches of epoxy I usually lay a couple pieces of duct tape down on the bench,,mix my plastic,then when I'm done I peel it and toss it in the trash.. Nothing to clean up...

Burger King also has those nice little ketchup cups.
smile.gif
I usually grab a stack when I'm in there..They are great for mixing small quantities....

ttyle Eric...

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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom made, High Quality
Concealex Sheaths and Tool Holsters
Canada's Only Custom Concealex Shop!

 
I've been using Devcon 2 ton for almost a year now and I've been really happy with it. When I'm doing scales, I mix on a piece of scrap paper. It gets too thich to work in about 10 - 15 minutes, but takes 4 - 6 hours before I can start grinding.

When I'm doing mosaic pins, I use old film containers to mix it in and everything changes. The container gets hot to the point of sometimes deforming and the mix starts to harden in minutes.

I always get done but not with much time to spare.



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Rob Ridley
Ranger Original Handcrafted Knives
 
I also use Devcon and have good results,Mix mine in dixie cups for the bathroom,I did have one tube I bought that was supposed to be clear 5 min. but it was white so I got to looking and found that it was the plastic mender in the wrong tube,good thing I noticed before putting on a handle with it.If you stand the syringe pointing up so the air bubles go to the point before using it saves the waste of squirting them out.....Just my findings,Bruce

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The Soul of the Knife begins in the FIRE !!!! Akti # A000223
 
RE: The comment on Crazy Glue above.

Cyanoacrylate glues like Crazy Glue and Super Glue will bond even quicker if you breath a heavy wet breath across them before you press your work together. The little bit of moisture in your breath makes all the difference.
 
When mixing small batches you can use the bottom of a beer or coke can still full from the fridge. The coolness of the can increases the set up time.
Hints from the net, Lynn
 
thanks all, i have deducted that it was a mis labeled syringe. I trippple checked and the pack is not the 5 minute, but it sure acted like it. The same day i used another syringe of slow set and it acted normally, given me plenty of time to work with.

i need to switch to shafting epoxy any how, and this is as good a time as any.

matt.

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"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty"
Thomas Jefferson

www.lameyknives.com
 
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