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Looks like I found it, I didn't realize there was a tutorial forum. I know what I'm doing this weekend!

viewtopic.php?f=10117&t=20320

And yes, I did quote myself.

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Where are you guys using west system epoxy ordering it from? Amazon has a starter kit that is like $75.00. Is that about right?

Joey quality hardware stores often have it and any place that might do boat repair and sell accessories may have West too.

West has these 6 packs of single use packages that are two part and pretty easy to use too and IIRC can be less expensive than buying the two parts separately.

Another place to get a very high quality marine quality epoxy at a reasonable price is from Raka in Florida (I think it is raka.com). We have been using this exclusively on our wooden kayaks for close to 20 years. Get the regular resin and the fast hardener for the small quantities you would use on guitars. It is low viscosity and water clear.

Grant

Thanks Hesh, do you happen to remember where you bought those 6 packs? West doesn't sell their products online and a Google search hasn't turned up anything like that yet.

Is this what I'm looking for?

http://www.amazon.com/West-System-105K- ... +epoxy+kit

We get ours locally at a Mom and Pop hardware store so no help there.

I found this place http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-system---101-repair-packs--P004_120_001_508

Looks like they come as 2 packs these days but these are the packs that I was describing.

The epoxy is right but I used to be able to buy it without it being part of a repair kit.

Buy it in the cans. Lasts for several years and much cheaper that way.

Looks like it's cheaper to buy the 8 pack as part of the repair kit than the 2 pack. I just ordered the kit so hopefully it's enough for 8 guitars, that's not a bad price if so. I may be getting laid off next week, which case I will be building full time. Blessing in disguise maybe?

Once I go through these packets I will do that if I like it. One question though. Is it a 50/50 mix or no? All the 105 epoxy cans are larger than the hardener.

It is a one to five ratio mix. That is why the hardener is smaller.

There is more than one hardener compatible with West. The "usual" combination is 105 resin with 205 "fast" hardener, at 1:5 -- this is what you'll find in a repair kit. At the recommendation of Joe White, I'm using the 207 "clear" hardener (mixed 1:3) -- curing time is double, but is crystal clear. Doubt you'll find the 105/207 combo in a repair kit, but it's readily available online in smaller containers that will last for many guitars for less than USD 80.


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For grain filling you MUST use the 105/207 combo or risk blooming down the track. Mix ratio is 3:1.

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Trevor Gore, Luthier. Australian hand made acoustic guitars, classical guitars; custom guitar design and build; guitar design instruction.

http://www.goreguitars.com.au

This is an issue even in a humidity controlled environment?

Well, I've ordered the 207 and the 205 larger containers anyway. I was really hoping to not have to spend that much money. Hopefully I am happy with the results. Are the pumps necessary or not?

No, pumps are much bigger than you need. Look for some 5 or 10 cc glass syringes, on e*ay. Usually pretty cheap. Clean them with DNA.


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Not if the guitar is under humidity control for ever.

With 105/206 I had a guitar bloom a few years down the track after it had been in a soft case for ~6 months. Fortunately, I only did 2 or 3 guitars with that combo before I heard some of the horror stories. The other one I know about is fine, as are the many I've done with 105/207. The 207 hardener is specially formulated for clear coats and so that it won't bloom. No point in taking the chance for a few dollars saving.

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Trevor Gore, Luthier. Australian hand made acoustic guitars, classical guitars; custom guitar design and build; guitar design instruction.

http://www.goreguitars.com.au

I've used the 205 hardener with no blooming for eight years and counting. Some were sanded back to wood and some had a thin wash coat but none had any blooming.

I've used Zpoxy finishing resin too also with great results and if I had to compare the two both worked great for me.