I had an idea pop into my head about epoxying grips and reel seats. I use devcon epoxies, the five min and 2ton when I epoxy grips and seats to rods. I like the quickness of the 5min, but it is not as strong or as water proof as the 2ton. So what about putting the 2ton epoxy on the ares that will come into contact with water, and the 5min in the central areas that will not be exposed to water? The 5min will set quickly and hold the grip/seat where you want it until the 2ton sets. Am I making this too complicated? Solving a problem that doesn't exist?

Ken

I don't know - is it a problem for you? If the assembly is sized and fitted correctly, you shouldn't need anything to "hold it in place" while the epoxy sets.

If you aren't having time issues with the 5-minute stuff, why not just use it for the entire assembly. It's not necessarily weaker than the slow cure stuff (do a search for some of Ralph O'Quinn's post to understand why) and unless you plan on continued and long term water submersion I doubt it's going to give you any trouble in a fishing environment.

Or move to one of the gels like QuickBond that set in 10 to 15 minutes. Sort of a best of all world's kind of thing.

...........

I'm with Tom, the Quick Bond should solve your worries.

Tight Lines and Bull's-eyes,

Get Bit Outdoors
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No real problems, just a thought experiment to see if I can make what I'm doing better...I still have plenty of the devcon to use up...

Ken,
Any of the epoxies, 2,5,10, 15 minute, or 2 hour setting epoxy are all essentially water proof.

Most of the time when I glue up a reel seat, I am also gluing up the rear grip and the fore grip if I am using one - all at the same time.

As a result, I use 30 minute epoxy for all of my grip work. I find that as long as I work quickly, the 30 minute epoxy will give me sufficient time to do the entire handle and reel seat with one mix of the epoxy.

I have found that five minute epoxy gives me about 2 minutes of real working time.
I find that 15 minute epoxy gives me about 8 minutes of real working time.
I find that 30 minute epoxy gives me about 12-15 minutes of real working time.
I find that 2 hour epoxy gives me about 35 minutes of real working time.

Of course, if the batches are smaller, and or if the batches are mixed in a shallow large container, you get less self heating and the "kick" time will be longer for any of the glues.

Take care
Roger

p.s.

With respect to the epoxies, I do think that you do find a difference in the flexibility of the various curing epoxies. i.e. the quick setting epoxies tend to be less flexible than the slower curing epoxies. But, for nearly all of the work that we do on fishing rods, the 5 minute epoxies give us plenty of flexibility.

Make life easier and building --- use one for all

Bill - willierods.com

Ken, I'll take the other side of the debate. Sometimes I think forum members fail to state and take into account the vast differences between different applications of said finished rods. I build salt water stuff.

Often I have EVA grips which aren't going to move after glueing. Concern is getting grips into place along with drips/cleaning up epoxy afterwards plus how long I need to babysit. I work in warm climates. Something like west epoxy gives me enough time yet sets in a reasonable time. Reel seats can be quicker to place so five minute can work. Overall I might like to be looking at one hour of baby sitting. That works for me. Often I don't wish to wait 24 hours before I can continue on with the build.

In those cases using different products has worked well for me. I have not tried 5 minute epoxy in-between 24 hour epoxy on the same part.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Rod building is a hobby for me but I've been building cabinets and curved wood work for over 30 years and I have told contracters.customeres ,supervisers and a president of univercity that the glue is the boss so they have to wait. Do what it says,do'nt cut corners and it wont let you down I've built curved stairs and believe me. Any glue that does'nt rush you is a blessing and you do'nt want to apalegise for something that failed even to your self.

Ken, I use to do the same thing. However, I now use three different epoxys, Devcon 5 min. for gluing cork handles, (rings). Rod Bond, fast and reg. for everything else. All three have a place in my glue/finish drawer.
Right or wrong, it's what I use!