MAS epoxy

Discussion in 'Wooden Boat Building and Restoration' started by Baldur, Jul 28, 2005.

  1. Baldur
    Joined: Jun 2005
    Posts: 87
    Likes: 1, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 17
    Location: USA

    Baldur Junior Member

    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
     
  2. nero
    Joined: Aug 2003
    Posts: 624
    Likes: 13, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 112
    Location: Marseille, France / Illinois, US

    nero Senior Member

    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.
     
  3. boatbuilder.org
    Joined: Jan 2005
    Posts: 54
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Olympia Washington

    boatbuilder.org Junior Member

    Just curious, what design are you going to build.
    ---Joel---
     
  4. Baldur
    Joined: Jun 2005
    Posts: 87
    Likes: 1, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 17
    Location: USA

    Baldur Junior Member

    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??
     
  5. boatbuilder.org
    Joined: Jan 2005
    Posts: 54
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Olympia Washington

    boatbuilder.org Junior Member

    Yep, that be me. If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call eves and weekend at 360-790-0577.
    ---Joel---
     
  6. lprimina
    Joined: Jan 2004
    Posts: 103
    Likes: 1, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 35
    Location: Morehead City NC

    lprimina Senior Member

    MAS works good. It is suppose to be the best out there for environmental reasons (less off gassing).
     
  7. lewisboats
    Joined: Oct 2002
    Posts: 2,329
    Likes: 129, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 1603
    Location: Iowa

    lewisboats Obsessed Member


    I wanna say something...I wanna say something...better not! :D
     
  8. Baldur
    Joined: Jun 2005
    Posts: 87
    Likes: 1, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 17
    Location: USA

    Baldur Junior Member

    Lewisboats,
    Come on, you can say it!!!! :)



    Joel,
    I recieved the epoxy.
    What is the best mixture for bonding?
    Thanks.
     
  9. lewisboats
    Joined: Oct 2002
    Posts: 2,329
    Likes: 129, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 1603
    Location: Iowa

    lewisboats Obsessed Member

    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.
     
  10. lewisboats
    Joined: Oct 2002
    Posts: 2,329
    Likes: 129, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 1603
    Location: Iowa

    lewisboats Obsessed Member

  11. Baldur
    Joined: Jun 2005
    Posts: 87
    Likes: 1, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 17
    Location: USA

    Baldur Junior Member

    Nice Start!

    Your shop looks as full as mine.......lol :)
    That darn motorcycle is always in the way.

    Happy building.
     
  12. boatbuilder.org
    Joined: Jan 2005
    Posts: 54
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Olympia Washington

    boatbuilder.org Junior Member

    Glueing/laminating

    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---
     
  13. chandler
    Joined: Mar 2004
    Posts: 378
    Likes: 2, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 16
    Location: U.s. Maine

    chandler Senior Member

    Mas

    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.
     
  14. LP
    Joined: Jul 2005
    Posts: 1,418
    Likes: 58, Points: 58, Legacy Rep: 584
    Location: 26 36.9 N, 82 07.3 W

    LP Flying Boatman

    Epoxies

    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?
     

  15. boatbuilder.org
    Joined: Jan 2005
    Posts: 54
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Olympia Washington

    boatbuilder.org Junior Member

    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---
    [​IMG]
     
Loading...
Similar Threads
  1. Spongebob
    Replies:
    11
    Views:
    937
  2. peter radclyffe
    Replies:
    1
    Views:
    797
  3. Chris Naff
    Replies:
    4
    Views:
    883
  4. Masjaf
    Replies:
    6
    Views:
    1,809
  5. windfiderthai
    Replies:
    1
    Views:
    1,798
  6. stefos
    Replies:
    7
    Views:
    4,848
  7. Skip JayR
    Replies:
    23
    Views:
    6,692
  8. OrcaSea
    Replies:
    16
    Views:
    6,544
  9. Timboz
    Replies:
    9
    Views:
    3,961
  10. gt05254
    Replies:
    25
    Views:
    5,488
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.