Bedding epoxy choices?

[P89DCSS]

What bedding material do you use? Low cost epoxy? JB Weld? Fancy dedicated bedding resin/epoxy?

Do you add powered metal such as stainless steel or aluminum?

Background:
- I'm fixing to pillar and bed a couple 700 actions into Boyd laminated stocks.
- I'm also adding Magpul magazine adapter (MAG497).
- I bought a kit with pillars from Score High Gunsmithing via Midway.
- It came with two-part Pro-Bed 2000 resin. Unfortunately one of the containers leaked and now I need bedding material.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Ive been experimenting with thin slices of high-density foam. It compresses down when the stock is installed and provides a rock-solid connection. I just place it at all the contact points with just a drop of Elmers to hold it in place during reassembly. Promising accuracy results and no issues with heat so far.

Not sure how long it will last, but its easily replaced and requires no mess or permanent mods to the gun.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Acraglas Gel almost to the exclusion of anything else. Long shelf life, easy to use, and sticks to itself. If I needed something liquid I'd use regular Acraglas, but only when necessary -- the Gel doesn't run all over the place.

Still backorder right now, though. This is a time when that long shelf life pays for itself!

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...bedding-adhesives/acraglas-gel--prod1038.aspx

 

[troy fairweather]

Marine tex for wood, close to accu glass but cheaper, for everything else devcon.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Many, many, have used JB Weld to good effect.

Acraglas gel is the gold standard.

Devcon or any two part adhesive marketed as bedding compound will work.

 

[someguy2800]

I like devcon putty the best of anything that I have tried. It sets up a lot faster than JB weld but still gives plenty of work time. Also a lot harder than JB once cured.

 

[LoonWulf]

over the counter its marine tex, or devcon steel....something or other.....

Ive used JB weld, and it works well but is fairly soft in comparison.

 

[CowboyTim]

I'd contact high score and get more pro bed. Works as good or better than anything else I've used. Acraglas would be my 2nd choice.

 

[Varminterror]

Devcon steel, marine-tex, ACRA glass. I’ve used a bunch of Pro-Bed 2000 when buying in kits, works great too.

 

[JFrank]

Perhaps the apex of perfection’ I only know of a couple fellas that can do it this well and I’m not one of them. Take your time

 

[lightman]

I like the Devcon liquid steel putty. I think its made by 3M. I mix it to about the consistency of Peanut butter. It dries slow enough that you have plenty of time to work. I use Kewi shoe polish as a release agent.

 

[HowieG]

What bedding material do you use? Low cost epoxy? JB Weld? Fancy dedicated bedding resin/epoxy?

Do you add powered metal such as stainless steel or aluminum?

Background:
- I'm fixing to pillar and bed a couple 700 actions into Boyd laminated stocks.
- I'm also adding Magpul magazine adapter (MAG497).
- I bought a kit with pillars from Score High Gunsmithing via Midway.
- It came with two-part Pro-Bed 2000 resin. Unfortunately one of the containers leaked and now I need bedding material.

Any advice is appreciated.

You can get Pro-bed 2000 directly from Score High in Albuquerque. They have an online store. Website is Pro-Bed 2000 Stock Bedding Epoxy & Supplies (scorehi.com)
Acraglas Gel is fine too.

 

[Mogas]

I especially like Devcon liquid steel....

 

[Swampman]

I think Devcon 10110 plastic steel putty is one of the longest lasting alternatives. Good one to use on an M14 type if you don't want to skim bed every few years.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

View attachment 1044794 Perhaps the apex of perfection’ I only know of a couple fellas that can do it this well and I’m not one of them. Take your time

Almost a pity to hide such perfect bedding inside the stock -- I hope you carry a photo of it around with the rifle!

 

[JFrank]

Almost a pity to hide such perfect bedding inside the stock -- I hope you carry a photo of it around with the rifle!

Well Dave I wish it was MY rifle but not the case rather an example of the level of excellence these guys (AlexWheeler & Kieth Weil is another) produce, my work would look like a 4 year old did it.

 

[DazedandConfuzed]

I worked for a custom rifle builder for a short time and Devcon steel was his first choice.

 

[lightman]

I think Devcon 10110 plastic steel putty is one of the longest lasting alternatives. Good one to use on an M14 type if you don't want to skim bed every few years.

One of the numbers in the catalog number is the size container but I don't remember which. 1#, 5#, ect ect.

 

[nipprdog]

I was asking a 'so called' gunsmith at a local once about bedding my 2 Savages. When I asked what compound he used, he said 'Bondo'.

 

[Swampman]

I was asking a 'so called' gunsmith at a local once about bedding my 2 Savages. When I asked what compound he used, he said 'Bondo'.

I used some knead together "tootsie roll" type epoxy to bed a really loose SKS 20 years ago and it's still tight and (relatively) accurate.

Just because you're not using "the best" product for an application doesn't mean it can't be useful and effective.

That said, Bondo does sound like a fairly crappy choice...

 

[HowieG]

I was asking a 'so called' gunsmith at a local once about bedding my 2 Savages. When I asked what compound he used, he said 'Bondo'.

Well, I imagine that would work. Certainly cost effective. I like Acraglas Gel because Brownells supplies the die packs to you can maybe color your bedding to match your stock if you us wood. They give you brown and black.

 

[troy fairweather]

I got a gun one time I'm 90% sure it was bedded with liquid nails, one other a mix of wood glue and saw dust.

 

[HowieG]

I got a gun one time I'm 90% sure it was bedded with liquid nails, one other a mix of wood glue and saw dust.

Wow. I don't have the words.

 

[HowieG]

In all seriousness though, Pro Bed 2000 is probably the best out there for being the complete package. Charley Robertson spent a lot of time developing the stuff and he says he did it with accuracy in mind. I am out of AcraGlas now, and I'll switch to Pro Bed if I bed another rifle.

 

[P89DCSS]

Thanks for all the input. I'm going to call Score High today and see if they'll replace my spoiled epoxy. I received it less than 6 months ago from Midway.