Boat Building Forum

Find advice on all aspects of building your own kayak, canoe or any lightweight boats

Re: Instructions & Weak Scarf Joints
By:Larry C.
Date: 3/23/1999, 6:50 pm
In Response To: Re: Instructions & Weak Scarf Joints (Dan V)

> There was a fellow around here who used to complain

> about the quality of instructions in kits and books,

> about the lack of knowledge about composites being shared here, and

> lots of other things

> I think he was right. I will not take his place.

> ----------------------------------------

> The best epoxy wood glue is plain epoxy - rough sand the joint surfaces
> (80 grit across the grain), let epoxy soak well into the joint surface,
> apply fresh epoxy and heat with a hair drier, clamp lightly, let cure for
> 24 hours at 70 degrees (36 hours at 60 degrees or 48 hours at 50 degrees).
> If you must ---

> Wood fiber (saw dust) makes a medium strength, sandable, medium weight,
> dark brown filler or glue.

> Glass microspheres makes a LOW strength, sandable, light weight, white
> filler - NOT a glue.

> Phenolic microspheres make a LOW strength, sandable, light weight,
> purple(?) filler - NOT a glue.

> Cab-o_Sil makes a medium strength (brittle), not sandable, medium weight,
> transparent filler - NOT a glue.

> Glass fibers (1/32" to 1/4") makes a high stength, sandable,
> heavy weight, transparent filler or glue.

> Cotton fibers make a medium strength, sandable medium weight,
> transparent(?) filler or glue.

Dan. I'am confused. Both West system and system Three in there technical manuals describe the use of cab-o-sil as a thickener recommended for bonding and gluing. West's rates only the glass fibers as better. System three mentions that the viscosity of mixed epoxy is not high enough to make a good adhesive. They also recommend the use of cab-o-sil for gluing. Who is right here?

Larry C.

PS/ Where is Kern Hendrick when you need him?

Messages In This Thread

Weak Scarf Joints
Dan Gunn -- 3/23/1999, 3:33 pm
Re: Weak Scarf Joints
Stan Heeres -- 3/24/1999, 9:01 pm
Re: Weak Scarf Joints
Shawn Baker -- 3/24/1999, 12:12 pm
Re: Weak Scarf Joints
Brian Barnett -- 3/24/1999, 10:40 am
Sounds like a new take on a "folding" ka
Pete Rudie -- 3/24/1999, 12:26 pm
Re: Weak Scarf Joints
Shawn Baker -- 3/24/1999, 12:13 pm
Re: Weak Scarf Joints
Byron Lawrence -- 3/24/1999, 10:38 am
Re: Weak Scarf Joints
Jack Martin -- 3/24/1999, 9:24 am
Re: Weak Scarf Joints
Shawn Baker -- 3/24/1999, 12:03 pm
Re: Weak Scarf Joints
Don Herring -- 3/23/1999, 8:49 pm
Re: Instructions & Weak Scarf Joints
Dan V -- 3/23/1999, 5:30 pm
Re: Instructions & Weak Scarf Joints
Larry C. -- 3/23/1999, 6:50 pm
Re: Instructions & Weak Scarf Joints
Pete Rudie -- 3/24/1999, 12:35 am
Re: Weak Scarf Joints
Kenneth Paul -- 3/23/1999, 5:08 pm
Re: Weak Scarf Joints
Mark Roberts -- 3/23/1999, 4:40 pm
Re: Weak Scarf Joints
Pete Rudie -- 3/24/1999, 12:42 am
Re: Weak Scarf Joints
Dan Gunn -- 3/23/1999, 4:50 pm