Anyone experienced with System 3 epoxy?

[mike323]

Last fall I glued up some oak rails (scarf joint).<br />This week while putting the project together the joint came apart. My confidence is shaken. I don't want to put all this energy into a project that'll fall apart.<br /><br />Here is what I may have done wrong;<br />I have quickcure and T-88, not sure which I used. 1) Is quickcure not strong enough?<br />2) If T-88 was used, the bottle says for oak smear the stuff on and wait 30 minutes. I didn't do this. Is this the reason?<br /><br />Joint seemed very strong when I first put it together. Aren't these epoxy's waterproof? So humidity shouldn't have effected it.<br /><br />

 

[mike323]

Re: Anyone experienced with System 3 epoxy?

Go to epoxyhelp.com<br />I clamped the wood too tightly.<br />Epoxy isn't glue. All you need to do is keep the 2 pieces in contact. Clamp is really just to hold the peices still during drying.

 

[Whit]

Re: Anyone experienced with System 3 epoxy?

I've had good luck with S3 epoxy. What fillers did you use? The epoxy alone is not thick enough to be used as a glue so if you just used it straight, there's your problem. Otherwise, too much clamping pressure, wrong mix ratio or improperly prepared surface.

 

[mike323]

Re: Anyone experienced with System 3 epoxy?

Whit, what exactly do you use. I'm gonna switch to your's for the rest of my project.<br /><br />T-88 is a "structural glue" (their words), so shouldn't need a thickener.<br /><br />But! after glueing up again, useing less clamping pressure, all four peices broke on me during assembly, AGAIN.<br />These were scarf joints 6-7 inches long on 3/4 oak used as gunwals on a canoe.<br /><br />I broke down and bought boards long enough so I wouldn't need a joint. All bent up and sitting pretty now.

 

[troyt]

Re: Anyone experienced with System 3 epoxy?

Sorry that the S3 didn't work out for you, but thanks the the epoxyhelp link. That PDF has some great information. I've read it twice in the last two days.

 

[mike323]

Re: Anyone experienced with System 3 epoxy?

I've given up on S3 T-88.<br />Can't get it to hold as good as regular wood glue, even.<br />I read the link epoxyhelp.com, learned alot.<br />Like how it can't be the fault of the epoxy, has to be my fault.<br />Well, I tried mixing extra well, test strips with various clamping pressure (even no pressure at all), coatig jt. letting it set for 40 minutes then assembling, careful surface prep.....<br /><br />Can't trust it. Imagine being out on the water and seeing a jt pop!<br /> Very disheartening.<br /><br />I'll be picking up the epoxy type that requires fillers, I like the idea of glass fibers adding extra strength )<br /><br />Wish me luck.<br />Or bring marshmellows to the bomb fire.