subject: West System epoxy (by Brian Koehler [bkoehler*at*georgiasouthern.edu])
Date: Dec 13, 2006
Hey all,
Just a quick question to you all who have used west system: is it a 'thick' epoxy like the small tubes you mix, or is it rather thin (and soaks in?) I just experimented with the 'MAS' epoxy now carried here by the places that used to carry west, and it mixes to a very thin consistency (and smells like bondo-brand, although fortunately it does not melt styrofoam like bondo).
MAS seems like it would be great for 'finished wood' projects where you want epoxy to soak in, harden-protect, and then polish to a shine (like fancy art work or fancy wood canoes). Of course, I might should have gotten the fast-cure agent, but I can go back and get that if I need to. I really like the thicker consistency for what I am doing (I don't know, is thinner betterif I were doing fiberglass work?)
Just wanted to see if it was as 'similar' as I was lead to believe.
Thanks,
BrianK
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subject: West System epoxy (by Brian Lamb [iunnrais*at*gmail.com])
date: Dec 13, 2006
MAS and West Systems are very similar (supposedly the guy that came up with the West Systems formula is the guy behind MAS, at least that's what the marina folk here keep telling me).
BrianL
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subject: West System epoxy (by John Paul Marino [jp*at*jpmarino.com])
date: Dec 13, 2006
Hello:
West Systems initially mixes to a rather thin consistency (at least using 206 – Slow Hardener). However, the longer you leave it in the mixing cup the thicker it will become. After 20-30 min it will have a similar consistency to the ‘tube’ glues. After about 45 minutes it will be a gel.
Jp
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subject: West System epoxy (by Chris Kessler [cjkessler*at*gmail.com])
date: Dec 13, 2006
you can always use some sort of filler to make it thicker too, I got some of the fiberglass filler when I ordered the rest of the west stuff and its pretty handy for gap filling and such since you can make it as thin or as thick as you want. if you add enough you can pretty much turn it into an epoxy putty. I think the 205 hardener is a little thicker than the 206 but that could just be me, its still pretty thin.
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subject: West System epoxy (by Brian Lamb [iunnrais*at*gmail.com])
date: Dec 13, 2006
for volume filler, I'll usually add microballoons to lower the density and a few microfibers to add some strength. I've also used colloidal silica & microfibers mixed to a thick paste where I'm looking for maximum strength on a repair filler (like on the exposed edge of a plywood rib that's been damaged by someone's disgustingly well tweaked guns)
BrianL
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subject: West System epoxy (by Tom Palmer [tpalmer*at*contrastequipment.com])
date: Dec 13, 2006
Gentlemen (I use this because my parents always told me to treat my elders with respect) ;-)
Please elaborate on the advantages of using epoxies (any epoxy, West, MAS, etc) with fiberglass cloth, mat, etc over using fiberglass resin.
Thanks,
Tom Palmer
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subject: West System epoxy (by Chris Kessler [cjkessler*at*gmail.com])
date: Dec 13, 2006
I think epoxies bond better to wood than polyester/fiberglass resin and they last longer however polyester resin is cheaper and has better UV resistance. I've used epoxy resin to fiberglass stuff without any problems.
just my 2 cents.
chris
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subject: West System epoxy (by James K Hovis [james.k.hovis*at*gmail.com])
date: Dec 13, 2006
Tom,
The polyesther resin you get with most "bondo" type fiberglass repair kits tend to soak up water more than epoxy. And I've found that polyesther doesn't stick to an epoxy fiberglass job (which most molded FG products is). I've been using the 60min epoxy you get at Wally World either straight for general bonding (like hull ribs to keel) and thinned with Acetone for FG work and wood sealing. It comes in a two-part tube. I've cleaned out the local Wally World several times. NO one within easy driving access close to me carries West system.....
Kevin H.
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