Tag Archives: 18

Epoxy's adhesion to metal is affected by surface treatment

Effects of Surface Treatment

On Epoxy Adhesion to Metals

by Brian Knight—GBI Technical Advisor

Above: Surface treatment can make all the difference in epoxy adhesion to metal. Photo by Manny Becerra on Unsplash 

We have performed tens of thousands of adhesion tests over the years and many of these tests were done on metal surfaces. Below is a summary of tests done on a variety of metal surfaces and done with a variety of surface preparations. As you look at the chart, notice the surface preparation that gives the highest number.

Continue reading →

Optimist prams sailing before the Liberty Bridge on the Saginaw River.

Building Optimist Prams

For a Community Sailing Program

By Bruce Niederer — GBI Technical Advisor

Above: Optimist prams built by the SBCSA in the Gougeon boatshop, sailing before the Liberty Bridge on the Saginaw River.

EW-18 cover

Cover Photo: A new fleet of Optimist prams was built to serve the Saginaw Bay Community Sailing Association

The Saginaw Bay Community Sailing Association (SBCSA) was founded in 1995 by a group of local sailboat racers who shared a vision of a grassroots organization to provide area youngsters and adults a low-cost introduction to sailing. We began that first season with three Transfusion 547’s purchased for the association by Gougeon Brothers, Inc. (GBI) and a half dozen used Optimist prams donated by the Saginaw Bay Yacht Racing Association. Continue reading →

estimating epoxy amounts for fiberglassing

Estimating Epoxy Amounts

By Bruce Niederer — GBI Technical Advisor

Above: The layout of an Optimist pram provides an example of how to go about estimating epoxy amounts.

This formula will help you estimate the amount of mixed epoxy needed to wet out fiberglass cloth (assuming a resin-to-fiber ratio of 50:50) and apply three rolled epoxy coats to fill the weave of the cloth, i.e. “fill coats.” Continue reading →

Align stitch-and-glue panels with a dowel rod

Using Dowels to Align Stitch-and-Glue Panels

By Dan Anderson

Above: Align stitch-and-glue panels with a dowel rod. The wire connecting the panel edges passes over the dowel section on the inside of the joint, clamping the panel edges to the dowel.

Here’s a tip for when you need to align stitch-and-glue panels that we heard about too late to use on the Optimist prams, but one that we can’t wait to try. The tip comes from Dan Anderson of Fairgrove, Michigan via local boatbuilding instructor John Schmude. Continue reading →

laminated canoe

Laminated Canoe Construction Gives Lasting Value

John McKibbin sent pictures of his refinished 18′ laminated canoe. He built it back in 1976 using cold-molded, that is, laminated composite construction, with WEST SYSTEM® epoxy. Laminating a hull is similar to making your own plywood on a three-dimensional mold. While it may take more time and effort to make a laminated hull, the results are well worth it. Continue reading →

The floating shelf installed in Brian's sister's house.

No Visible Means of Support

Installing a floating Shelf

by Brian Knight—GBI Technical Advisor

Above: The completed floating shelf, installed in Brian’s sister’s home and decorated with her colorful collection of birdhouses.

It was only after I said, “No problem” to my sister’s request for a shelf installed on the wall of her new house that she dropped the other shoe. She wanted a floating shelf that would be cantilevered from the wall with nothing visible holding it up. “Simple,” I said out loud, but I was thinking, “how the heck am I going to do this?” I decided to use hardware bonding to install the shelf. Continue reading →

shade slats on John Davis's carport

Supported in Style

Installing Shade Slats on a Carport

By John M. Davis

Above: The shade slats on John Davis’s carport create a light and airy architectural element that will last a very long time.

These pictures show a recent project in which I put WEST SYSTEM® Epoxy to good use. The shade slats shown were attached to their notched supports by ‘blind’ nails (8D hot-dipped galvanized finishing, with the heads clipped after being driven into the notches halfway) and WEST SYSTEM 105 Resin®/209 Extra Slow Hardener applied in a two-stage manner. Continue reading →

The plywood sharpie is Captain JR Watson's latest boat. Here he is with a plywood dinghy at age 12.

Building a Plywood Sharpie – Phase II

Designing & Building the Rudder and Motor Bracket

by Captain James R. Watson

Above: The plywood sharpie is the latest in a long line of boats that Captain James R. Watson has built over his lifetime. Here he is at age 12 with a plywood dinghy he built himself.

Building the rudder

The sharpie’s main reason for existence for over a hundred years is its fine operation in shallow water. However, the conventional sharpie rudder is notorious for causing squirrelly steering, often becoming totally ineffective when the craft heels more than 20°. Most sharpie sailors simply accept the handling aggravations of the conventional rudder in trade for its wonderful steering ability in the shallows. I decided to resolve the traditional faults in steering by installing a special rudder and steering system that has evolved and is used on some contemporary boats. This system will yield maximum control over a wide range of wind and sea conditions while retaining the sharpie’s shallow water virtues. Continue reading →

resin-rich ratios

Epoxy Composite Tank Guidelines

by Patrick Ropp—GBI Technical Advisor

Epoxy composite tanks have been built for water, sewage, gray water, ballast, and diesel fuel since the early 1970’s. The regulatory environment has evolved within the few decades and has placed safety restrictions on various aspects of tank building, specifically potable water and gasoline. Continue reading →