Some EA-40 info

kennym · December 18, 2018, 05:54:14 PM

I sent an email to Smooth-on and got a very nice reply concerning :

Shelf life- generally speaking - one year but have had reports from customers using it where the shelf life was expired.

Lot numbers on cans indicate date of manufacture - first 4 digits are year/month

Freeze / thaw stable - Meant to be stored and used at 73* , but if frozen , still useable, just bring to room temp and premix both components before mixing to use.

Common questions so I thought I'd let you all know what they said!!

Buemaker · December 18, 2018, 06:03:57 PM

Thanks, good to know. I have used two year old stuff with no problems, was kept cool.

Roy from Pa · December 18, 2018, 06:05:30 PM

Thanks Kenny.

That's all good news.

I buy new every year, but I'll use it 8 to 10 months without any problems.

Buemaker · December 18, 2018, 06:27:00 PM

Some are using the Huntsman TDR 1100-11 epoxy, it is thinner flowing than Smooth-On and have a three years shelf life. They say Black Widow have used it for years. It was a thread on another site about this epoxy. Can be bought from Rosewood.
Don't mean to hijack your thread Kenny, but since we are talking epoxy.
https://us.aralditeadhesives.com/us/adhesives/request-a-tds/228-tdr-1100-11-us-e/file.html

Crooked Stic · December 18, 2018, 07:50:34 PM

The reason the huntsman glue was not as popular was it was only sold in 5 gal. buckets and the average guy could not afford or use that much at one time. So Rosewood now distributes it repackaged in quart kits. Some say its better. I say smooth on for me. The thinner stuff to me will have more of a chance to show air bubbles under clear glass.

kennym · December 18, 2018, 08:42:21 PM

I'm sure both glues have their plus/minus qualities, but I only posted this because I've had several questions recently and these are the answers...

I've glued several bows

with EA 40 and never had a glue fail except with Versamid, a thinner glue. Binghams advised me it was due to the lams being red elm and soaked up the thinner glue. They advised EA 40 and I never looked back.

The bow had a dimesized spot under the clear glass at about the end of fade. I never let anybody have the bow , and the explosion was quite spectacular when it did let go!!

bamboo · December 19, 2018, 05:12:16 AM

bue--concerning the linked chart for the huntsman--the cook time was confusing so i contacted mike at the rosewood shop and he instructed me to use the same cook times and temps as ea-40----15 minutes spooked me a bit!

Forwardhandle · December 19, 2018, 02:00:08 PM

I only use the EA-40 but after about 6-8 months it starts smelling different ,I date my cans after opening and only use it for overlays after 6-7 months & 1 yr I pitch it , I get nervious with old epoxy cheap insurance buying fresh to me !

skeaterbait · December 19, 2018, 03:13:34 PM

Quote from: Forwardhandle on December 19, 2018, 02:00:08 PM
I only use the EA-40 but after about 6-8 months it starts smelling different ,I date my cans after opening and only use it for overlays after 6-7 months & 1 yr I pitch it , I get nervious with old epoxy cheap insurance buying fresh to me !

Sniffing glue?

Forwardhandle · December 19, 2018, 03:29:05 PM

Only Part B

Roy from Pa · December 19, 2018, 03:33:29 PM

Ahh..

So that's why ya put the handle in the front instead of in the back:)

bamboo · December 19, 2018, 07:33:22 PM

Forwardhandle---i was told to scrape the surface cloudiness and any crustiness off the surface in the can-and discard--never stir it in [part b]--and its fine

...but at the same time-i get it!-if any thing spooks me it does NOT go in the bow!!

i wonder if this would help?

http://www.bloxygen.com/

Forwardhandle · December 21, 2018, 09:01:23 AM

I dont know but Im a big chicken

when it comes to using any thing in a bow that even has a faint worrie in my mind , just me , its a fine line some times between successes & failures especialy on test bows, I want to know its not the epoxy !

Roy from Pa · December 21, 2018, 11:28:55 AM

QuoteI dont know but Im a big chicken

I'm gonna be good here since it's Xmas:)

Just sayen:)

Crooked Stic · December 21, 2018, 11:44:08 AM

Come on Roy just ruffle one feather.

Roy from Pa · December 21, 2018, 11:51:09 AM

Ah Mike stop it..

Just don't triple dog dare me:)

LOL

Crooked Stic · December 21, 2018, 03:29:45 PM

Hmmm

Forwardhandle · December 22, 2018, 07:30:11 AM

Flem · December 22, 2018, 03:01:03 PM

I use EA-40, but its not my all time favorite. Epoxy's with a shelf life get stored in the freezer and thawed right before use. I have used EA-40 thats at least 2+yrs old, but I'm a thrill seeker. There are lots of good epoxy's out there for glueing up bows. I prefer one's with no stated shelf life and like a low viscosity epoxy. If I need a thicker adhesive, adding Fumed Silica to a thin body epoxy, anybody can make their own EA-40

Crooked Stic · December 22, 2018, 09:04:02 PM

Thrill seeker I am not when it comes to bow glue. will be safe not sorry.