Thickened gflex for handles?

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Randydb

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Sep 27, 2014
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Last spring I went to buy more gflex 655 epoxy and the store was out of the regular stufff. They only had "thickened gflex 655" in tubes. I used the thickened epoxy to make knives with my students. I was really nice to work with because it stayed where we wanted it, could take our time getting it on the scales and blanks. Also used less because it was easier to remove the excess onto the spatula and use it on the next knife.
Is there any difference in strength or holding power using thickened epoxy? I don't think I am allowed to put a link outside the forum here so you will have to look up thickened gflex if you don't know what I am talking about.
 
For our use it has no difference in holding strength. Higher viscosity makes it a few % weaker but gives more elasticity which is more shock proof. It acts as a filler, too. For even better hold it can easily be heated up with a lighter or similar when applied. It relaxes to lower viscosity and creeps in tiny voids and when it gels up is a great surface to bond. I use mid viscosity epoxy with a brush and soldering torch. Very small amount squeeze out. This way even hammering will not break the bond.
 
JoeBusic said:
For our use it has no difference in holding strength. Higher viscosity makes it a few % weaker but gives more elasticity which is more shock proof. It acts as a filler, too. For even better hold it can easily be heated up with a lighter or similar when applied. It relaxes to lower viscosity and creeps in tiny voids and when it gels up is a great surface to bond. I use mid viscosity epoxy with a brush and soldering torch. Very small amount squeeze out. This way even hammering will not break the bond.
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The other thing I noticed was it didn't get on the blade as much and what did squeeze out wasn't dripping like it does with the regular gflex. Easier clean up on the knives. I just really liked how much less waste there was and the ability to scoop it and use it on the next blade....there were 14 kids gluing up blades.
 
Give JB Weld Clear Weld a try. It is super strong, reasonable cure time, and easy to work with and be bought at HD and Lowes.

I will never go back to Gflex, Clear weld is that good.
 
Also i believe the jbweld has a high temp rating , i prioritize that over strength personally
 
I've used G-Flex epoxy for years. I read on the West System's website where they took 15-year-old epoxy, and mixed with newer hardener. Apparently the results were fine. I've found that even with proper storage, mine never lasted that long.

I think I'll give the JB Clear Weld a try. It's readily available and is priced competitively.
 
I keep telling you guys but no one wants to listen :)golfworks max strength high impact epoxy
 
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