Major Epoxy Brands compared to Cheaper Alternatives

[Jordan Balbresky]

I am in the heart of pricing materials for my Tiki 30 #200 and although I have worked extensively with West Systems and know that many others have as well, I have a friend who is a professional boat builder who swears by System 3 and another who has used US Composites. After doing some research I found a ton of other brands that are a fraction of the price of West Systems, System 3 or MAS and although I know you get what you pay for, has anyone used a cheaper alternative with positive results?

[Galway Bay]

Andy thank you for your concern.

Everywhere those in power make it difficult for the workingman to make a buck the same man finds a way to outmanouvre [no spellcheck here] them. I get my supplies from a non-retail source. Nothing illegal but personal contact with a generous soul in the chemical engineering field who took an interest in my work. I pay close to US prices.

Without this help my boat would be in a skip long ago.

My concern is with the average Joe who seems to be getting screwed by the retail trade here.

Again the Irishman fights another man's battle but this time I think he will be forgiven.

[andy solywoda]

G (as in Grumpy) Bay,

     You have triumphed.  As a Polack who has an Irishwoman as Safety Officer, I can commiserate.

[Mike Haromy]

There are no average Joe's building boats, i think, Galway Bay.  i think we all find ways to get supplies from non-retail sources.  we are nothing if not resourceful, lol.

 
Galway Bay said:

Andy thank you for your concern.

Everywhere those in power make it difficult for the workingman to make a buck the same man finds a way to outmanouvre [no spellcheck here] them. I get my supplies from a non-retail source. Nothing illegal but personal contact with a generous soul in the chemical engineering field who took an interest in my work. I pay close to US prices.

Without this help my boat would be in a skip long ago.

My concern is with the average Joe who seems to be getting screwed by the retail trade here.

Again the Irishman fights another man's battle but this time I think he will be forgiven.

[dennis schneider]

Hallo everyone the topic of epoxy prices is never outdated, so I will add my 30 yrs of experience using a 10 gal kit of resin & hardener for $280 here in Florida. Hypoallergenic, and very little blush, but I always sand if it has set up more than a few days. I also use a two component polyurythane paint wthout primer by applying to the hard, but still uncured last sheathing coat of epoxy.  And for all glue joints I use Locktite PL Premium construction adhesive - built a house and several boats in the last 15 yrs, with it.Great stuff, and the price?  $80 for 12 28 oz cartridges at Lowes. I only use epoxy to sheathe the exterior, using 18 oz biaxial cloth. Guys, we're in the 21 c; Wharrams don't need West Sy, or marine ply, or stainless steel screws, anyplace where the wood (dry!) is encapsulated in a coat or two of epoxy...I use Grip Rite coated exterior screws underneath epoxy sheathing, and I only remove screws where I am going to shape and feather with the power planer. While I'm on the subject of building  a ply boat in 2016 (low resale, esp if a20-40 yr old design) l need to address the subject of used sails. There are many quality used sails available, which are suitable for cruising cats - cruising means not much faster than a monohull. (our cross Atllantic time for a Tangoroa was 21 days, about the same as a similar mono...Don't try to compare yours with one of those quarter of a million $ composite showboats, because our thing is to Get It Done and be out there sailing, on a budget - right?!

[dennis schneider]

Bottom line: its inefficient, way more expensive, and painful, to  glue a wooden boat with epoxy in 2016; save the epoxy for where it is uniquely suited - as a sheathing and laminating resin. Picture it: you now have a gel consistency polyurethane  - construction industry tested and backed by a big name - adhesive, which you can dispense using a large cartridge gun. No mixing! Put a cap on it and set it aside, and it is ready  to go for your next gap-filling,STRUCTURAL paart joint. And Twelve 28 oz cartridges for $80. I have torn apart several parts I glued up 4 or 5 yrs ago, they ended up as splintered wood and hard glue. I got started using it when I read a rave review by a retired chemical engineer. I will never go back to the Gougeon method. It was new in 1975...