what Epoxy Resin do people recommend?

[Random Orbital Bob]

no egg sucking. I'm very green with epoxy so I'll take all the advice I can get. Thanks again to all.

 

[Normancb]

Even the cheapo epoxies are immensely strong and will do what you want. West epoxy is amazing stuff but comes in relatively large amounts.

The critical thing is mixing - you are trying to get two viscous fluids to mix intimately and that is difficult. Stir as much as you can - if it's a slow cure resin, warming it a bit will help. You need clean surfaces, so give the metal a wipe over with meths or (better) cellulose thinner, then don't touch it before glueing.

You can get even stronger bonding by heating the job once the epoxy has hardened. 70C for a few hours will usually about double the strength, but I wouldn't do that with wood.

But for a tool handle, anything you can find will be fine.

 

[Bluekingfisher]

I use the Poundland and Pound store two part resins. i prefer the type that comes in two small tooth paste type tubes, usually marked with a large "A" and "B" on the tubes to prevent confusion. The syringe stuff is good but once you have opened it, it doesn't last long in my experience.

It works fantastically well, although it does go off quickly (5 mins or so)

The very important factor with mixing epoxy is to make the mixing parts equal i.e. equal amounts of resin and hardener otherwise the integrity of the bond can be compromised.

David.

 

[Gerry]

The longer the setting time the stronger the epoxy will be. 24 hour epoxy is extremely tough whereas 5 minute epoxy dries rather brittle.

Gerry