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  1. #1
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    Default What Epoxy to use for filling cracks in flat work?

    G'day

    Don't often post in this corner of the world!

    I often have to fill cracks in my flat work and have been using hideously expensive Araldite mixed with either sawdust or coffee grounds, or sometimes both which looks pretty interesting. But at $60 for 200ml it's just not viable, and there is nothing else available locally. Araldite also takes 24 hours more or less before I can sand it, and I don't need the strength of a slow cure. Hardenfast is good for me!

    What would you Pen people recommend please?

    It may come to pass that I might want to cast some discs with some gumnuts or similar in them - say 60-70mm dia by perhaps 15-20mm thick. Not necessarily looking for one Epoxy mix to do both jobs though.
    Regards, FenceFurniture

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  3. #2
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    Carbatec have just released a new range of epoxies called Perfect Coat.

    This May be an option for you Brett.

  4. #3
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    Thanks George. The Rigid version was reading really well up until it said 7 days to go Solid State, open time 24 hours.....
    Regards, FenceFurniture

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    Oops sorry I didn’t read the cure time Brett.

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    It all depends on what you want to do.

    If you want to "deep fill" thin cracks then I'd stick with good ol' slow cure Araldite. Exxy, but a little bit should be going a long way.

    There's the rapid-set Araldite (15 min. & similar variants) but I'm fairly sure that works out more expensive per gram... and still seems to take 24 hour to set up enough for sanding. (I always wait that long as a matter of course, so I can't really comment if that still holds true or not. )

    There are casting epoxies, that are very fluid and penetrate really well, which generally dry xtal clear; this is what you'd want for casting those gum-nuts... but that's up another step in the price range again. Doesn't set up any faster either and isn't ideal for void filling as it tends to be prone to minor shrinkage. That's alright in a casting, not so good when used as a filler.

    Then you go up in price range again to get the good gap filler epoxies.

    What's the old saw? "Good, fast, cheap. Pick two."

    With epoxies it's more like "Pick one."

    An alternative option is to use thin or medium CA to fill cracks. Do a pour, rub in some fine dust (or brass or whatever) recoat with CA. Rinse & repeat until you've filled the gap. Can also be used for wider cracks, but I only consider it a body filler and doubt that it really adds any structural strength or integrity to the piece. ie. Don't use this where you need the crack to be glued as well as filled. (It may appear to be adding strength at first, but thick layers of CA breaks down over time much faster than thin layers. DAMHIKT. )
    I may be weird, but I'm saving up to become eccentric.

    - Andy Mc

  7. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!! View Post
    What's the old saw? "Good, fast, cheap. Pick two."

    With epoxies it's more like "Pick one."
    Thanks Andy. Good, Fast, Cheap? Well, it has to be good, and I can put up with slow if I really must, but $300 per litre (aka $60 per 200ml) for Araldite is just crazy!

    So, what can I turn up for larger quantities of Araldite?
    Well there's this one, but is it suitable? Seems like it's for casting. Price is much more sensible though.
    Then this one, but it's $250 litre

    That's it! The 200ml tube one that I currently use doesn't come in a bigger size (checked Selleys website).

    There has to be something more sensibly priced than that, surely?
    Regards, FenceFurniture

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    I tell you what, if you can pronounce this brand name then you are way ahead of the pack. I suspect you need a mouth full of, ahh, Aral....Arlo....Epoxy to pronounce it properly.

    Not sure I can use up the MOQ within 12 months either.
    Regards, FenceFurniture

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    On some polished oak flooring on a job they used builders bog with oxide, it would be more economical but is not going to get into all the nooks and crannies like the epoxy would.
    Have a look at some of the boat chandlery sites like Whitworths as they sell a lot of epoxies in more economical 4 litre quantities

  10. #9
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    Do a search for Polyester Casting resin
    Those were the droids I was looking for.
    https://autoblastgates.com.au

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    Brett, I recently completed a resin course and the teacher spoke about the price variations for epoxy. He recommended platinum as seen on his hints and tips page with a reference to his supplier.

    https://www.naturaledgetimber.com/hi...-diy-brisbane/

    Pretty cheap by comparison and the results we got were fantastic.

    Regards

    Denim

  12. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by NCArcher View Post
    Do a search for Polyester Casting resin
    Ok, I found this store on ebay:
    https://www.ebay.com.au/str/diycomposites

    From there, what about this:
    2:1 casting resin 750ml for $34
    12 hours initial cure, >12 months shelf life.
    Regards, FenceFurniture

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  13. #12
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    Barnes resin have Z=poxy in 5 min and 30 min cure,cheaper than araldite ,but there is freight to be added to the equation. Timbecon have the same product at a much better price.
    Cheers
    gidgee 1
    Last edited by gidgee 1; 6th February 2019 at 10:39 AM. Reason: add info

  14. #13
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    Noticed Bunnings have Protite Casting Resin. Have not used it or compared prices.
    Has anyone tried it?

  15. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by FenceFurniture View Post
    Ok, I found this store on ebay:
    https://www.ebay.com.au/str/diycomposites

    From there, what about this:
    2:1 casting resin 750ml for $34
    12 hours initial cure, >12 months shelf life.
    That's the stuff Denim linked to. I haven't used it but it looks pretty good to me. 3L is only $80ish
    Those were the droids I was looking for.
    https://autoblastgates.com.au

  16. #15
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    Have a look at Megapoxy:
    http://megapoxy.com

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