Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
making epoxy more thick
Mike Schwing from Md
>Recall someone describing this, but couldn't find it on a search. What to do when mixing 5 minute epoxy to make it less runny, yet keep it clear? Waiting till it starts to harden won't do in this case.
Attempting to make a batch of "glitter-inlace" that won't run all over the place while its being applied. Would like to avoid using CA for this one.
Other suggestions welcome and appreciated. Thank you.
Re: making epoxy more thick
John Lucas
>Mike
West System epoxy sells a thickener that's clear. I haven't used it so can't comment on it's effectiveness. Seems like Russ mentioned using some sort of household powder but I can't remember what he said.
Re: making epoxy more thick
Al Kapocius, Metro Greendale
>A common epoxy thickener is Cabosil, brand name for expanded silica gel. Basically, it's sand (SiO2) heated until it litterly explodes. If you can't find it at woodworking stores, try marine equipment stores.
Al Kapocius
Re: making epoxy more thick *LINK*
Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL
>There is a product called "Thicken-it" that you can add to most anything - glue, epoxy, inlace, that will make it thicker.
The link below will get you to a small supplier that carries it.
Thanks to Robert Simmons to turning me on to this stuff.
Mark
http://www.turtlefeathers.com/text/inlace/inlace-main.html
Second vote for "Thicken-it"
Dominic Greco in Richboro PA
>I used this product just last night. Mark clued me into this stuff several months back. I tend to apply inlace while the piece is still on the lathe. Having it runny is a real PITA. But adding a small amount of Thicken-it to the mix works like a charm. The trick is not to use too much! Just a little bit will do. I actually use a chemist's spatula to measure out the powder.
See ya around,
Dominic
Re: Second vote for "Thicken-it"
Tony - Memphis
>So, will this work well for filling small voids in pens? Some of my blanks have some voids I would like to fill up.
Tony
Re: Second vote for "Thicken-it"
Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL
>Thicken-it will just thicken whatever you are using to fill the voids - inlace, CA, Epoxy, etc.
It will keep it being so runny.
Mark
Why not Inlace?
Dominic Greco in Richboro PA
>Tony,
Why not try some inlace? Sounds like a perfect use for it. They have a whole bunch of colors available. They even have metallic dust with which to enhance the inlace.
Check out this website for more information. They seem to have the best price out there for Inlace.
See ya around,
Dominic
Re: Why not Inlace?
Tony - Memphis
>Thanks. I didn't understand exactly what inlace was, I thought it was something you add to epoxy or something. Looks like what I am looking for. The black would probably work well for most of my needs. I have been using super glue and sawdust thus far and had pretty good luck. With burl woods, you never notice the repairs. I turned an amboyna burl pen last night and it chipped right at the edge. I chopped up some shavings and made a paste with ca glue and did that a couple of times and it worked well.
I need to attend a bbq and get some lessons from you guys. I still can turn worth a flip. I was making some knobs to hold down a paintbrush stand I made for my wife a while back and I got real frustrated! Seemed like nothing I did worked. Got them done, but it was just luck! Anyway. Thanks for the info.
Tony
Re: making epoxy more thick
John Leonard
>Mark, does it increase the set up time for epoxy? thanks, John L.