mrpercysnodgrass":25pn6uz0 said:
The only thing I can think of is stain the recess black and then use a black epoxy. It will have the effect of reflecting the edges and making them appear transparent. It might work better than being able to see the mahogany through the glass.
+1
You can mix solids into epoxy fairly easily, even the fast-setting stuff, so you might use black powder paint or cement colourant, if a proper colour is too expensive or not available in small quantities.
Also, if the glass is sitting snugly in the recess, I'd undercut the wood slightly, around the edge of the recess, so there's enough room for the glue to spread across the bottom surface and squeeze out, without squeezing up past the wood when you put the two together. I've used xylene to remove unset epoxy in the past but it's (a) nasty, and (b) doesn't work hugely well in removal. You might want to mask off the visible bit of the glass and wood surfaces.
I'd also degrease the glass thoroughly too, and make sure it's _slightly_ warmer than the room you're working in. Glass is hygroscopic - water is attracted to the surface - and it won't help the bond. If it's a gnat's warmer, you won't get condensation. Standing it in the sun for a few minutes before doing the job should be enough.
Can you do a test with an offcut and a mayonnaise jar first?
E.
PS: Your mixed epoxy doesn't have to be very viscous. Runny is probably better, as it will allow several things:
(a) You can tilt the trophy as it goes in (one edge first), which ought to push bubbles across to one side.
(b) You might also use a disposable syringe to deliver exactly as much epoxy as you need.
If the glue volume is difficult to measure, you could guesstimate it with water first, depending how tight the fit will be, by putting clingfilm round the recess carefully, then a small amount of water, and collecting it up after a test fit, to see what space was occupied by the water. Of course for nautical applications it ought to be Gin really...
