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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Lee Lobbestael on April 13, 2017, 05:15:00 AM

Title: smooth-on questions
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on April 13, 2017, 05:15:00 AM

I'm about to do my first glueup with smooth on and I have a few questions.
1. Do you guys mix by weight or by volume? It says to mix by volume but every video I have seen of it, they are using a scale and mixing by weight.
2. I assume 2A to 1B means a ratio of 2:1 Correct?
3.how much working time do I have once its mixed?
4. I will probably use more than the experienced guy because I don't want any dry glue joints so how much should I mix up? And how thin do you spread it?
thanks guys

Title: Re: smooth-on questions
Post by: bamboo on April 13, 2017, 05:27:00 AM

1-volume

2-correct

3-plenty

4-6-7 ounces [volume-3/4c]

Title: Re: smooth-on questions
Post by: Bowjunkie on April 13, 2017, 05:55:00 AM

I have always mixed them 50/50 by volume, and have had no issues.

How much you mix up depends on how much you need. Is it a bow with 6 lams or 3? A hickory backed bow or a limb for a takedown?

For a 6 lam longbow, I mix 3 oz. of each, which together fills a tuna fish can... which I have the wife save for me.

Title: Re: smooth-on questions
Post by: stickmonkey on April 13, 2017, 07:06:00 AM

I too mixed mostly 50 50 without issue in the last 8 years. Lately I have been adding just a bit more of A and have not seen any difference. I still have to chisel it off anything it cures on.

Title: Re: smooth-on questions
Post by: Robertfishes on April 13, 2017, 09:34:00 AM

Equal parts (volume) A and B seems to work well.
I buy 3 oz clear plastic cups from my local grocery store. I also buy plastic spoons and plastic plates there. I use 2 clean spoons to transfer each part into the cups, one clean spoon for each part. Then I mix on the plastic plates using 1/2 of a 4 inch bondo squeegee..I buy the squeegees in a 20 pack from harbor freight. I use the clean half of the squeegee to apply the mixed smooth on to the laminations.

Title: Re: smooth-on questions
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on April 13, 2017, 03:21:00 PM

Ok 50:50 it is! Thanks guys

Title: Re: smooth-on questions
Post by: T Folts on April 17, 2017, 07:38:00 AM

I mix 2:1 by weight.

Title: Re: smooth-on questions
Post by: Bodork on April 17, 2017, 07:29:00 PM

You will have plenty of time. It takes 24 hours to cure without heat. My best advice is stay calm, don't panic. Things will want to slide around with the epoxy on them. The first one you make is a little scary but after a few, you know what to expect and it's a breeze. Best of luck!
Mike

Title: Re: smooth-on questions
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on April 18, 2017, 05:09:00 AM

Thanks guys. I went with 50:50 by volume and the glue up went really good! I believe that the hard part of the build is done

Title: Re: smooth-on questions
Post by: KenH on April 18, 2017, 07:18:00 AM

Hahahahahahaha!