View Full Version : MAS epoxy
Baldur
07-28-2005, 10:57 AM
I have recently considered switching to MAS epoxy on my new project, mostly because of cost. West system is so darn expensive.
It is a stitcher and uses lots of goop. :)
Has anyone here had any bad experiences with MAS epoxies :?:
Thanks
No experience with MAS. Started out with West System. Now using EPON resin from uscomposits.com. The thin epoxy is excellent ... except that in hot humid weather it will blush. Forget about the slow hardner with it. The fast and medium hardners give plenty of time to mix and spread it over glass fabrics.
Do not try the thick stuff. It dries hard, goes thru a brittle stage, kicks off fast ... really fast, it is hard to mix in powders. Works well for a coating epoxy if you put alot on at a time. Doesn't seam to blush.
They also have a wide selection of A/B foam. Had good results with that product also.
boatbuilder.org
08-01-2005, 10:12 AM
Just curious, what design are you going to build.
---Joel---
Baldur
08-01-2005, 04:19 PM
Just curious, what design are you going to build.
---Joel---
21' Nexus dory w/cabin and splashell.
Also, I'm building a little 8 foot stitch-and-glue pram for a friend.
I just ordered a little MAS for testing from Joel @ boatbuilder.org.
I am assuming this is you??
boatbuilder.org
08-01-2005, 10:02 PM
Yep, that be me. If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call eves and weekend at 360-790-0577.
---Joel---
lprimina
08-03-2005, 04:48 PM
MAS works good. It is suppose to be the best out there for environmental reasons (less off gassing).
lewisboats
08-05-2005, 09:27 AM
MAS works good. It is suppose to be the best out there for environmental reasons (less off gassing).
I wanna say something...I wanna say something...better not! :D
Baldur
08-05-2005, 11:31 AM
Lewisboats,
Come on, you can say it!!!! :)
Joel,
I recieved the epoxy.
What is the best mixture for bonding?
Thanks.
lewisboats
08-05-2005, 12:02 PM
You mean Glue? Correct mix of hardener and resin (look at the ratio of resin to hardener) plus some thickener. I generally use wood flour. Wet the joints with unthickened stuff then butter on the thickened (to about thin peanut butter). Join and clamp moderately. The thicker you make the glue, the bigger gap it will fill (to a reasonable amount). If you are talking fillets...go with thick peanut butter. My method: Wet with unthickened, fillet, smooth with unthickened, glass, wet out, then plastic film over it all with air bubbles removed. One shot deal, almost no sanding involved.
Steve.
lewisboats
08-05-2005, 12:06 PM
Working on my own stitcher and you can see a couple of pics here: http://boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7981&page=2
haven't got to the goopy part yet.
Steve
Baldur
08-05-2005, 03:27 PM
Nice Start!
Your shop looks as full as mine.......lol :)
That darn motorcycle is always in the way.
Happy building.
boatbuilder.org
08-05-2005, 11:56 PM
Because MAS low viscosity resin is thinner than others you may need to add a bit more wood flour or cab-o-sil to get it thick enough not to drain. When I laminate flat smooth surfaces I use clear epoxy and if I need to fill a bit like for scarfing plywood I will add a bit of wood flour so it is a honey-like consistancy.
---Joel---
chandler
08-06-2005, 09:29 AM
Baldur,
The ratio for MAS is 2:1 resin : hardener
I prefer MAS over west if for no other reason than it smells better. It's also easy to mix large batches with measuring cups instead of those silly pumps.
Baldur,
I'm a fan of West System too, but their price just kills me. I like to use their 407 for bright finish work, but have switch to RAKA (www.raka.com) most other needs. I was wondering if we could add some more involved comparisons of the epoxy products(brands) to this thread.
I'm on boat #2 with the RAKA products. I've only used their standard slow and fast hardeners. The slow is my prefered. Even in cold weather, the fast was too fast for my needs. I don't see RAKA mentioned in the thread. Just curious if anybody else has had experience with it.
I'm going to have to look at MAS. I like a thin epoxy. It sounds like it would be great for wetting out glass. Is it good for clear coats?
boatbuilder.org
08-07-2005, 12:11 AM
Learpilot
I apply a lot of biax and Dynel and the MAS is a real time saver when it comes to wetting the cloth out. I also use MAS it on brightwork like laminated beams, doors, t&g overhead etc and then spray it with a clear acrylic eurathane. It works great and have never had a problem. Let me know when you want to try it out
---Joel---
http://www.devlinboat.com/sockeye454.jpg
ErikG
08-07-2005, 02:18 AM
JOEL:
Dang Nice Interior!
More pics pls!
chandler
08-07-2005, 09:37 AM
Another brand is System 3. They have a new line out called "silver tip" with all sorts of special formulas for clear, coating bonding, even a premixed fairing compound. A good source for this as well as the other epoxies mentioned is hamiltonmarine.com
boatbuilder.org
08-07-2005, 01:39 PM
http://www.devlinboat.com/sockeye12.jpg http://www.devlinboat.com/sockeye5.jpg http://www.devlinboat.com/sockeye9.jpg http://www.devlinboat.com/sockeye13.jpg http://www.devlinboat.com/sockeye45profile.jpg
There are plenty more at http://www.devlinboat.com/photoalbum.htm
---Joel---
Baldur
08-07-2005, 10:42 PM
;) WOW! That's a dream boat!
The lighting adds a beautiful touch.
Is this one of your designs?
boatbuilder.org
08-07-2005, 10:49 PM
It's a Devlin design. The pics are of the Sockeye 42 and Sockeye 45. We built the 42 about 5 years ago and the 45 about 3 years ago. All stitch and glue, plywood epoxy construction.
---Joel---
Baldur
08-07-2005, 11:03 PM
Honestly, these photos have really changed my idea of stitch and glue construction. The interior lines are so clean.
I am reading Delvins' book right now, but never realized that a stitch and glue boat could be such a piece of art.
lewisboats
08-08-2005, 09:08 AM
Honestly, these photos have really changed my idea of stitch and glue construction. The interior lines are so clean.
I am reading Delvins' book right now, but never realized that a stitch and glue boat could be such a piece of art.
Just curious...Why should stitch and glue be different from any other type of building? It is simply the method of fastening the hull and sometimes some of the framing components together. All of the other stuff is 'cut and fit' and done the same way any other method of building is done.
Steve
Every boat I have built has either been stitch and glue or "Instant" type. Currently working on #12
boatbuilder.org
08-08-2005, 11:01 AM
I agree, stitch and glue is no more than the method to build the hull. As a whole I would consider what we do WEST construction in that all the pieces of the boat are encapsulated in epoxy.
---Joel---
lewisboats
08-08-2005, 11:29 AM
UMMMM I would have to vary with that. Most of my hull and framing pieces have SOME epoxy on them but most do not have full encapsulation. I usually glass the outside bottom, epoxy the inside bottom and anywhere water might find a prolonged resting place but not all of the boat is totally sealed with epoxy...WAY too much dinero for me. Usually the other sealant is paint or varnish.
Steve
Baldur
08-08-2005, 11:42 AM
:p Oh, I suppose that I am a traditionalist.
I learned about boat building from the old timers while growing up on Bainbridge Island.
Plank on frame and traditional lap were the only "true" wood boat building methods. Plywood was never even considered for hull construction except for "toy" boats.
:idea: But, after seeing a few beautiful boats constructed of ply, I am becoming convinced that it is a viable construction material.
:p :p
What do I know, I have never built a boat over 18 feet yet. And my last completed project was over 16 years ago.
Technology gets better every day. ;)
Cheers....
View Full Version : MAS epoxy