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bulk epoxy

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Mar 3, 2009
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Madison, Indiana
I bought some turquoise filler from a woodworking catalog. You had to mix some hardener with it but I couldn't get the mix right and therefore it would not harden enough to turn. it kept coming out of the groove I had cut in the bowl. A friend of mine uses two part epoxy and adds wood dust or coloring to give it some character. Does anyone know of a supplier who sells epoxy in larger quanities than the two part tubes from 3M? Thanks Gary
 
Inlay

Have you tried to use thin CA glue to inlay the Turquoise? I use it all the time and have never had any problems getting it to dry. It also wicks through the stone and anchors it to the wood very securely. You will need a chisel and mallet to get it out after it dries. You do need to be very careful about using accelerator on the CA, it will bubble badly if you use too much. You can use medium CA to build up the level of the inlay after you anchor it in place. I use the Starbond brand that comes with several long tips that allow you to be very precise with your glue line. Hope this helps!
Tim Carter
 
the problem with the turquoise is it is already in some solution and you add hardener. I don't think the CA glue will work in the solution. I will give it a try. Thanks
 
It's a good idea to buy epoxy from a source that doesn't keep it on the shelf. Aged, some of it doesn't seem to fully harden. Another thing you can do is test a bit of it before using it.

Malcolm Smith.
 
Woodcraft carries larger quantities of epoxy than Lowes but less than you would have to buy from West systems (although I am going to try and buy a large quantity from West systems).
For filling in around stones and other things, try one of the casting resins. I use Cast-n-craft that I get at the local hobby shop.
 
Boat owners and builders use tons of the stuff so ship chandlers and suppliers (Jamestown Distriburors is one good place on the east coast) - with two main sources - System 3 (Auburn Washington) and West Systems (Michigan) being the predominate suppliers.

Some are clear and some are amber hued. There are a number of different viscosity products from water thin to thick goop. The thick is usually fast and the thin can be 24-48 hours to set. I use these products to recover woods that might not otherwise be suitable for turning and capture colors/shapes.

I am increasingly avoiding CA glue because I have discovered (as have others) that it becomes brittle and changes over time (may get cloudy). Casting resins suggested above are a good choice!!!
 
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casting resin

Woodcraft carries larger quantities of epoxy than Lowes but less than you would have to buy from West systems (although I am going to try and buy a large quantity from West systems).
For filling in around stones and other things, try one of the casting resins. I use Cast-n-craft that I get at the local hobby shop.

John,
I just ordered some casting resin and colorants to use with it for my decorations. I think you are on the right track with resin instead of epoxy. Thanks again, I will let you know how it works.
 
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