TV epoxy..?

I'm sure the show is edited. Not many viewers would be willing to sit through 24 hours of watching glue dry.

Some makers use fast set epoxy - I won't because it's not waterproof. I glue the handles and let them sit overnight.

i mean, you can get 5 min. epoxy pretty easily just about everywhere that sells epoxy.......

+1
5-minute epoxy.

I won't use it because it is weaker then 30 minute epoxy.

And 30 minute epoxy is weaker then regular slow set epoxy.

rc

Well, the McGuffin is that they get 3 hours to forge and heat treat the blade.
Then all but one contestant gets another 3 hours to haft, grind, and sharpen.

I wish they allowed a work day each, you would see nicer knives.

Shanghai McCoy said:

Thank you, I know you can get 5 minute epoxy anywhere.
It just seems that these guys are getting to grind and shape the handles a lot quicker than I would be willing to try after such a short set time. All that shaping on the grinders causes heat and that usually has a bad effect on even the slower set epoxy in my experience.

Click to expand...

you also have to realize....they dont need to build a blade that lasts a lifetime........they only have to build a blade that lasts a TV show.....so if the epoxy isnt as strong as it should be....no one is really going to notice

The 5 minute stuff is strong enough to hold knife handles on, that's all Bark River uses as far as I know and I'm sure they're not getting failures or they'd switch. Mike Stewart has said publicly that he doesn't have time for the longer setting epoxies so he uses the 5 min. stuff.

Well, one of them didn't hold tonight.

The guy pinned it for alignment while gluing.

Then took the pins out for some unknown reason??

rc

I'm with RC on epoxies in general the quicker the set time the weaker the cured product... Yes, there are situations and production schedules where the quicker setting times are indicated -but not if you're concerned with strength/longevity.

Most of my epoxy experience is in rodbuilding, luremaking, and related activities. My favorite is a product locally available in commercial quantities by Fasco...

Even when I use the 5 minute type I still let it set at least overnight. Since I always pin or screw the scales on the epoxy is more for a water barrier between the scales and tang than the primary means of attachment.

It's just the miracle of TV...there is no instant setting , super fast , super hard , miracle epoxy out there.
The best is still the slow setting kind, I have trouble finding the stuff, seems like 5-minute stuff is everywhere.
I still prefer the good old J-B weld slow curing epoxy , or Lock-Tight marine epoxy, for knife work , it sets in 120 minutes and cures in 8 hours...that's some good stuff . 5 min. and quick set and super glue....not so good for knife work.
Gary

For anyone needing decent commercial grade epoxies (particularly in quantity...) go to any marine supply outfit, but particularly one that stocks fiberglass components like this one.... http://www.fgci.com/