bob123 Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 Wondering how many of you use epoxy instead of wood glue. I know a few VERY successful luthiers that use epoxy exclusively, and was wondering if theres a reason to use or not use epoxy? My only guess would be the epoxy would be pretty much permanent? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 I use epoxy quite a bit. There are some cases where it has advantages over wood glue such as not introducing water to a fretboard neck joint and it normally does a better job bonding oily woods. In test results I have seen, epoxy usually shows a little better bond strength. That being said it is not a significant difference and epoxy is water proof and seals pores deeply. If you plan to dye or stain, you have to clean epoxy out of the pores by sanding past it. Titebond I is recommended because it is made to join wood specifically and it cleans up with water. And you don't have to worry about mixing the correct amounts thoroughly. Epoxy joints can still be opened with heat. Always go with a slow cure type for the best strength. This can be and has been endlessly debateable in terms of which is best. Bottom line is epoxy can be used for the entire instrument and result in perfectly fine high end guitar. It does have a steeper learning curve....by which I mean there are more oportunities to get it wrong with epoxy. SR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob123 Posted November 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 Ok, didn't know if there was a stigma against epoxy or not. I don't see myself using epoxy, but just wondering why some people would use it vs normal wood glue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestorationAD Posted November 15, 2012 Report Share Posted November 15, 2012 You need to search the forum on this. We have debated this to the 9th degree. I will say Scott has it covered. I will add that all epoxies are not created equal. The 2 part 5 minute epoxies you get from the big box stores are not the best for guitar work. Of the lower cost epoxies I have used Z-poxy and had decent results for cosmetic things. Structurally I only use West Systems. It is a serious epoxy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob123 Posted November 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2012 Every time I do a search on older topics, the pages dont load for me. Not sure what the deal is with that one. The reason I ask, I was having a converastion with dave thomas mcnaught, he wont say WHY, but he said he only uses epoxy to glue, never wood glue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpa Posted November 16, 2012 Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 I've been using West Systems epoxy for quite a while now. I like it because I can control the viscosity with an additive. You can thicken it right up to a paste consistency if you want and it won't change its ability to stick. You can also mix it with wood dusts like ebony, rosewood and even maple and because the base is clear it can blend right in. Try doing that with ANY wood glue. I guess the big argument for the die-hard hide glue people is that you can't readily "unstick" epoxy...why the hell would I want to do that!!?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Workingman Posted November 16, 2012 Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 Most die hard hide glue people are used to working on acoustic instruments. Having to remove things like bridges, braces and even necks can be a normal part of repair due to the wood changes over time. The ability to cleanly undo a hide glue joint is important in that field. That said, the luthier who is advising me on my aluminum bass rebuild told me to use West epoxy on the cracked neck block as that was a joint I will never want to undo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted November 19, 2012 Report Share Posted November 19, 2012 I regards epoxy as a mechanical glue as its gap filling properties also work as part of the adhesion process. Wood glue requires perfectly mated faces any gap filling should be avoided. I agree that Scott concisely stated the case well. This dead horse has been so beaten much it has spread into a thin film. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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