jackhammer

I've been reading that a lot of people use west systems... then again a pro will come out of the woodwork and say "why pay double for west systems when you can get the same exact thing (or better) for less money.

What are other comparable brands?

bryanspeedracer

If someone gives you an alternative, compare the wax content of each. It has been my understanding that West systems has much less wax content in their epoxy used for construction.

madbouyz

Because of the difference in our locations , you have many more choices than I do.
I basically have just West and Interlux's Epiglass to choose from.

Initially I tried the West .... I just found the working time non-existent.. even using the slow cure hardeners !

Then I switched over to Epiglass and have been very pleased.
Not that it does anything that West can't, it's just much friendlier to use. Much better working times and the full range of 'accessories' to turn it into whatever you want.

Also , at least out here , the Epiglass is a little better priced ... still about $475 for the 5 gallon kit ( 4 gall resin / 1 gall catilyst ) yeah , I know.. OUCH !

I think if you do a search on 'epoxy resins' you'll find you have a ton to chose from out there.

Amazing stuff !

timewarp

I've used West System and System 3 both seem to work equally well, System 3 is a bit cheaper

http://www.systemthree.com

also here's a link I had in my favorites but have never ordered from them
http://www.epoxyproducts.com/

glassdave

another thing to consider is epoxy cures faster in large volumes. if you are doing smaller repairs where you are mixing around a quart or so use a shallow baking type pan to mix it in. keeps the heat from building and cooking a quart of expensive material. Art that is especially true for the novice that may need more work time to do a needed repair. not like us seasoned veterans that get paid to cook stuff

rustnrot

www.uscomposites.com I have used this for years. Their SLOW is the only epoxy I can use in Georgia summers!! Their Medium is like West SLOW. Waaayy cheaper than West or others.

jackhammer

Thanks for all the input guys!!

I put together a quick price list trying to compare apples to apples at slow cure and 1.5 gal total... couldn't find shell's info.

I'm not so sure paying double will pay off double, so the little guys are lookin good. I'll try for free samples and see how I far I get with that.

glassdave

Art is the US Composites 635 resin used in the skaters at all? its at the top of my list for the project i metioned to you in the email. i have been buying my specialty fabrics from U.S comp and have always found there servics great. the pricing is good too even with the hasmat shipping charges its still tough to beat. the clear silmar is a good product if you are looking for the "carbon fiber" look in a lay up. built some new dashes for the batboats using all there products, used a 2X2 twill weave carbon for the face of these.

glassdave

yep the Hybrid weave is cool! i have some blue with black and red with black. gonna use it on my boat though

jackhammer

I decided on a cycloaliphatic curing agent epoxy for my project. ie, none of the above. I did an oso search on that word and no hits so I decided to post a few articles.

Here is some good reading - http://www.epoxyproducts.com/cyclo.html

I bought from this guy - http://www.jgreer.com because he spent like an hour on the phone with me answering stupid questions... nice helpful guy and I like doing business with people like that.

Switch over to the Transom repair gone wrong thread to see how it works out.