Replies

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Dec 11, 2003 05:08pm | #1

   The adhesive to use is solvent based contact cement. I'm not sure of the low temperature requirement but the can label should tell you. If not, call the manufacturer.

2. 
   BobSmalser | Dec 11, 2003 06:08pm | #2

   Solvent-based contact cement will work fine in the cold....use waxed paper as a slip sheet for alignment.

   Another cold weather glue is West System or other boatbuilder's epoxy with "hot" or "fast-setting" hardener.

   “When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us think...that a time is to come when those (heirlooms) will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, ‘See! This our father did for us.’ “ --John Ruskin.

1. 
   diddidit | Dec 11, 2003 06:43pm | #3

   WEST won't work in Michigan winter cold! I've tried- it sits and gets tacky, but never really cures until the weather warms up. I think it's basically got infinite pot life below a certain temperature.

   didBlah, yada, whatever, Hi how are you today

1. 
   jako17 | Dec 12, 2003 12:05am | #4

   You need the right hardener then it goes off at below freezing.It essential to give the right Pre action time for thin films. The difficulty is working quick enough

1. 
   diddidit | Dec 12, 2003 01:41am | #5

   I was going to say that WESTs fastest hardener isn't recommended for use under 70 degrees, but I actually looked - down to 40 degrees, they say. That I might be able to swing; I've even got some of the stuff.

   Does cured epoxy have any negative effects on router bits?

   didBlah, yada, whatever, Hi how are you today

1. 
   jako17 | Dec 12, 2003 05:21pm | #6

   I use Industrial formulators Cold Cure with Jet cure Hardener which is good to 35*which gives a pot life of 30min at40*,work time 45 min and cure time24 hrs (80%-90%)I have found that epoxy is easy on tooling ,Even on the jointer.HSS turning tools and Router bits .However wear gloves organic respirator etc fumes are quite a powerful irritant.Observe any instuctions re preaction times and thin film,to slow the process down spread it out on a cookie sheet.IMO I still feel that solvent contact cement is a better solution if you double coat

2. 
   diddidit | Dec 12, 2003 05:58pm | #8

   Cool. West system is very light on fumes, and I don't seem to have any skin sensitivity to it (I'd know by now, certainly!).

   Does contact cement cure rigid, or does it stay at all flexible? I'd prefer a rigid bond there to improve rigidity of the whole top sandwich.

   didBlah, yada, whatever, Hi how are you today

3. 
   jackplane | Dec 12, 2003 10:05pm | #10

    Contact cement will create a stronger bond over time. That said, its "rigidity" depends on the substrate being glued up; whether it's thin veneers or MDF and masonite.

4. 
   jako17 | Dec 13, 2003 02:23am | #11

   Contact cement is  always slightly flexible.I'm not sure but believe it to be neoprene in a solvent.Just a thought ,can you get mdf in 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 from a sheet goods supplier near you and avoid this process? My suggestion re. safety is not just you may react to the glue but the fact that even though epoxy does'nt smell bad it is extreamely toxic and contains powerful oxidising compounds till cured. MEK being one of them

5. 
   davamoore | Dec 12, 2003 05:26pm | #7

   Throw an electric blanket over the piece while the glue cures... it makes a nice microclimate.

   David"The world that was not made is not won by what is done" -- Mundaka Upanishad

3. 
   IMERC | Dec 12, 2003 09:18pm | #9

   Rig up a mini heated room..

   Styrofoam walls and roof. Or ply...

   Frame work and several layers of drop cloths.

   Small electric heater...

   Assemble - cover and heat.

    

   Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....