epoxy

It's always a pleasure to have something good to write about a vendor you deal with. Excellent customer service can mean so much these days.  read more »

I continue to be busy shopping away for essential supplies. Can't get started without about three basics:

• Plywood
• Lumber (dimensional)
• Epoxy (or glue of choice)

This post is going to list some of the epoxy sources I've found. Other than recommendations and comments by others, I can't vouch for any of them, but wanted to list them all in one place so that I can find them again, and so that any of you who are wanting to shop can check them out.

First off, there is a good discussion on the WoodenBoat Forum that covers a lot of these suppliers, with opinions.

First off, there's always the "big boys" in the epoxy world:

• West Systems
• System3

Then there are some other suppliers that I've found:

• Fiberglass Supply
• Fiberglass Coatings, Inc.
• Progressive Epoxy Polymers, Inc. - this side has a lot of detailed epoxy information
• John Greer and Associates
• U.S. Composites
• Raka, Inc.
• B&B Yacht Designs - apparently they resell a nice to use epoxy at great prices... give them a call for details

 

Professional Boatbuilder is presenting a series of online learning opportunities as a free service. This first of the ProBoatEvents: Online covers The Basics of Vacuum-Bagging - this is the technique where vacuum is used with a plastic film to infuse materials with a bonding agent/resin. The presenter was Joe Parker of Pro-Set Epoxy.

Highly worth your time if you are looking or considering any type of epoxy construction. Note that this vacuum bagging technique doesn't just have to be for epoxy infusion... there are even times you can use it just as a huge "clamp".