How many of you use a heat gun to turn the epoxy to a more liquid form when you are filling an area.? Does this affect the epoxy as far as holding power goes. Pros and cons of using this method are welcome
Ken Blevins
So many questions , so little time

If you're referring to epoxy adhesive, you should not use it to fill in empty areas or large gaps. Bonding strength relies on a thin film or line of adhesive, not a bunch of epoxy poured into a joint.

If you're referring to epoxy wrap finish, heating will speed the set and cure, so you have to be careful how much heat you apply and for how long.

For the strongest epoxy bonds, you want close fitting parts or joints. A snug or slip fit is best (neither sloppy loose nor very tight). Parts should fit closely. Clamping is not necessary for epoxy, but you must make certain that you have covered all mating surfaces with adhesive - do not apply it only to one side or one surface. Get both covered and then slide the parts together. This is the preferred method for any liquid or gel type epoxy.

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When using a heat gun on epoxy finish, the air currents can stir things up and get dust and others into your finish. I use a Bic style lighter when needing heat-and use it as sparingly as possible.
I've never used heat on epoxy adhesive except when fixing a factory reel seat that came loose. I've microwaved it, sucked it into a syringe and injected it into holes drilled where the reel's foot will cover them as I turn the reel seat to get the glue all around the blank.
Putter

Ken, I use an alcohol lamp/torch to "gently" heat the finish. I even use it to heat the mini aluminum pie plate that the bulk of my finish is in after mixing and pouring. With just a couple puffs of flame, it turns the epoxy to a running lquid, which allows me to finish the last few wraps. I use it on the wraps to thin the finish a little faster to pull the excess away. I don't use any motorized heat gun because that would only disturb any dust particles that have settled in my work area.

Patrick Vernacchio

Like Tom said. If you are talking about epoxy adhesive, filling a gap or void does nothing but add weight. Epoxy does not strengthen anything, it bonds things together and doesn't take much.

If you are talking about finish epoxy, a SMALL amount of heat is sometimes used to thin & level when applying .

We could give you better opinions if we new what you were doing and what you were using.
Finish epoxy and adhesive epoxy are two completely different animals

Mike

Mike Barkley
I guess I should explain that I am trying to build a split reel seat and grip .The areas I have tried to fill [ w/ 2 ton epoxy from wal-mart ] are where the fore grip would meet the reel seat , any cavity's where the seat is split and open and where the rear grips are split.. From reading some of the responses to my questions I am beginning to understand that I don't know a lot about rod building , but I will learn from my mistakes. I always make my arbors to fit snug and I always use W-M epoxy for that.
thanks
Ken Blevins