What is the best source, local or by mail, for about two gallons of epoxy resin. I think my use is similar to that of a boatbuilder. I do not need fine dispensing and do not need the extra costs of the “West System”. In the past, I have used a 2:1 epoxy correctly. I would warm the two parts up with an old coffeemaker, which I still have. When they are warm they pour easily.
I make large aquariums, 220 gallons plus, with glass and plywood. This really works. One is over ten years old and has not leaked or killed any of its inhabitants yet. Very stable and durable.
My old local source is too expensive. Home Depot at one time has a 1:1 formulation for about $35-40 a gallon, but they don’t sell it anymore.
I live in southern california.
Replies
Check with a local boat builder or marine supply store in your area. They should have want you need.
What part of So Cal?
-Jazzdogg-
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
Good epoxy at good prices: http://www.raka.com/
Cheapest that I've found: http://www.uscomposites.com/epoxy.html
I like this stuff: http://www.systemthree.com/p_about_silvertip.asp though I don't like their new website.
I agree, have used system three extensively and it's a good performer.
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com
They carry the main brands.
Edited 10/20/2004 5:35 pm ET by rick3ddd
Raka Epoxy, do a google search.
mike
I'd be interested in hearing about your technique for building aquariums. I've kept aquariums for 30+ years. I've always contemplated building my own large plywood tank.
I would tell you what I did, but my method may be an overkill in terms of strength and durablity.
I use 3/4" AC exterior softwood plywood. The A side is internal. For appearance you can laminate with 1/4" oak plywood on the outside, the C side.
I first make panels with solid wood edges. four of them back, bottom and two side. The edges were nominal 2x2, 2x4 ripped at the middle. The 2x2's are then dadoed. My edges were all mitered jointed. The plywood is permanently glued into the dado. With very thorough epoxy coating, one does not have to be concerned with expansion. The panels become very stable. Actually, with plywood even without epoxy there would not be much expansion.
For the front, I made just a frame with solid wood. For the top rail I add another stripe of 2x2 for extra rigidity so that the glass would not flex much; this way, a 1/2" glass is thick enough for a 24"x96" front. The glass is attached with aquarium safe silcone rubber, not epoxy. Think, the pressure of the water works to press the glass on the frame, so the gluing of the glass does not have to be very strong. Silcone rubber adheres well on epoxy-covered wood.
Long grain to long grain jointing of the panel makes the structure extremely strong.
I use epoxy undilued as glue. As coating, I dilute it with a small amount of acetone. Do not add too much acetone, just enough so the the stuff is not too thick, just spreadable.
A word about choice of color mixed with epoxy. Dark color is better for depth effect, but too dark (solid black) makes it very dim.
I think this time I'd use marine blue instead of black. I think I would rabbet instead of dado and use just 1" solid wood for the plywood frame. I think my old method was an overkill.
Some plans call for direct jointing of 3/4" plywood edges. I don't like this method. The glass would have to be worked to reduce the length from 96" to a few inches less, for one thing.
I have been using this one for about 7 years, mainly because of price. I really like system three best of all that I have used, but when you consider the difference in price, $26 per gal when you buy 5 gallon units, that make this <http://www.fgci.com> a lot more desirable.
With winter just around the corner though, If you can't get your warm shop, you should go with system three. Most of the epoxies have to have a certain temp to cure, and if you can't get it warm enough, well too bad.
I would have to give a strong second (or third) to the RAKA (http://www.raka.com) recommendation. I have been using their epoxy for the last three years to build duckboats and have been very pleased - with both the product and the customer service. Price is right and Larry is a great guy to work with. Has always filled my orders lickety-split too.
Just my $0.02.
BVL
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