I'm starting to make some carbon fiber grips on foam and need laminating epoxy. I was intending to buy the CFX-800 kit from Mudhole but they are sold out. I've seen recommendations on this board and looked for them on-line (West System, Mas, System One, Soller Composites. and PTM&W Aeropoxy PR2032), but they come in large sizes and cost about $100. Can anyone recommend where I might find smaller quantities?

Thanks
Dale

Dale Thompson
Small-time fly rod builder

West Systems has some kits that aren't that expensive as does Jamestown distributors. Granted, you're going to have to spend $50 at least, but if you plan to make many grips the cost per the number of grips you can make isn't really very expensive and the epoxy isn't going to go bad.

.........

Dale,
You should be able to purchase 1-quart kits (epoxy and hardener) from many suppliers. As Tom mentioned, you’ll probably have to spend more than $50.00, but a quart kit should produce at least 30 average sized grips, probably more. And the epoxy is unlikely to go bad.
For my truly structural laminates, I have trusted PTM&W for over 30 years and the hardener is available in pot lifes of 30 minutes, 1, 2, and 4 hours = very important for larger projects. Most others are only available in 1 hour or less. Although it doesn’t affect the quality or effectiveness, the PTM&W hardeners do turn a deep maroon with time.
The 820 resin and 824 hardener from Soller Composites is probably your best choice for CF grips, and you can combine your order with your choice of NUMEROUS CF, CF / colored FG and CF / Aramid woven sleeving in many different diameters. In case you didn’t know, stretching or compressing the sleeve over the foam core (within reason of course) changes the appearance substantially = get a few different diameters and experiment. Soller also sells special heat shrink tubing which really aids manufacturing foam core / CF grips = much nicer surface finish. Also, the 820 / 824 is (and remains) CLEARER than any other epoxy I have EVER used. The last 824 hardener I purchased was in 2018 and it is still water-clear. The only drawback is that it likes over 90*F to cure or it takes forever. You might be surprised how hot a low wattage light bulb in a cardboard box gets!
Hope this helps. GOOD LUCK!

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Thanks for the input. I did find a 1 quart kit on the Soller site for $60. Also Mudhole told me they expect their CFX kit to be in stock around the end of September. I don't think I'll need it before then so $60? $20? Il'll wait on the CFX for now.

Dale,
Consider the following cliches; “you get what you pay for”, “let the buyer beware”, “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is”, “don’t cut off your nose to spite your face”. If the CFX is 1 ? 3 the cost of the 820 / 824, that should send-up red flags! Just because others may use the CFX has nothing to do with its properties and qualities. And as I mentioned, Soller also has a plethora of different sizes, materials and colors of their woven fabric sleeving as well as special heat shrink tubing. Along with the other things I mentioned and getting ALL your materials in 1 order (= less shipping $) Soller is a no-brainer to me.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Point taken, Mark. Altho the CFX at $20 looks to be less than a pint (they don't say the size) so not a 3:1 price diff. Doesn't matter, you've convinced me.

That-a-boy Dale. With anything purchased from Soller Composites, you WILL get what you pay for, along with probably the best selection of fabric type, color and size choices available. I am very interested in viewing the fruits of your labor!
GOOD LUCK!!!

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.