Epoxy resin as a wood ahesive?

[Brian S]

Regarding resorcinol glues, my '66 plywood GP14 is starting to fail at some glue joints. Not that Jack Holt expected them to last this long when he designed them back in the early '50s…

Epoxy glues are designed to bond to the cellulose in wood.

 

[emergpa1]

This was all epoxy resin. Used for the finish and for connecting surfaces. Even the fillets are thickened epoxy resin. The final outside coat was polyurethane for UV protection. It seems to hold up to river rocks. Ken

damn that's purty!

 

[emergpa1]

It's just me I reck'n but I have no need for epoxies in places where they are not required. If trim can get damaged then use something that it can be replaced easily. I have pretty much gutted my H30 project boat and thank heaven every piece of trim etc. wasn't epoxied

agree

 

[emergpa1]

So you have lots of opinions here. As you can see, techniques vary. Decide what you like, and do it. Then move on to next project. Whatever you try you won't sink the boat or fail to move when the wind blows. And that's what counts! Just do it my friend! Then move on.

 

[Gene Neill]

Thanks, everyone, for the advice. Ken Cross, that IS a beautiful boat. Wow!!

The trim is installed on the new bulkhead, and the third coat of Cetol is curing on it now. I hope to have the bulkhead reinstalled and ready to go for the weekend. The trim came out really well, considering it was shattered into about a dozen pieces. Even I can barely tell it was ever damaged.

 

[emergpa1]

Epoxy is great stuff, very adaptable with various fillers & hardener. If you want those trim crumbs to stay there forever, go for it. I'm not very confident in the Gorilla/polyurethane variants as a wood glue. Brittle stuff. I've had sample blocks shear cleanly with a sharp tap that wouldn't phase an aliphatic (titebond). Resorcinol was the waterproof choice for a couple of generations but its working temperature range is much narrower than epoxy and it is not a gap filler. I use at least 5 gallons of West System every year, 90% as adhesive for wood joints and laminations. I also like System 3 brand of 5 minute epoxy. It's clear and great for small repairs.

thanks for the heads up on the 5 minute stuff, I'll try that.