: Hello all,
: I am about to start glueing up a paddle and was wondering if I could use the
: MAS slow hardner and resin without adding anything to the mix. Could I get
: by using Gorilla Glue? Which is better?
: Thanks Dave

Both would be stronger than the wood. Beyond that any additional strength would be irrelevant. For that matter, Weldwood carpenters glue is also stronger than the wood. When subjected to enough stress the wood will fail before the glue. If you want stronger wood, soak it with epoxy.

Gorilla glue and epoxy are more water resistant than your yellow or white carpenters glues, and are good enough for paddles.

If you have either the epoxy or gorilla glue around, then use it. There is very little glue used in a paddle. since either product will work well, it doesn't make much sense to buy a new bottle bottle of glue if you already have plenty of epoxy on hand.

If you have gaps in the joints then a filled epoxy can be a superior product, as it does not require great clamping pressure. Unfilled epoxy has worked for me for many gluing tasks, although I don't use slow hardeners.

If you want to make the mix thicker and are thinking that you might need to buy some additives for your epoxy, and that the cost might be a factor, rest assured. You can use a few pinches of sawdust, or raid the kitchen for a few tablespoons of wheat flour and stir that in to thicken the mix a bit.

Hope this helps.

PGJ