Gene Howe Posted February 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 I gotta laugh too, Herb. What else? Outta my control. Herb, the "river" will be glass. The epoxy (and turquoise dust/shards) will fill holes, cracks and voids that are inevitably found in mesquite. Sanding does the trick. Grandpadave52, Dadio and HARO50 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallpatch Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 I know you have done this before so I will mention to the gallery of folks watching from the bleachers, epoxy should be poured no thicker than an 1/8" at a pouring, let set up then do it again till the desired thickness is reached. So If you are filling the entire river with epoxy you should be through around June or July... and they should not forget to keep the area to be poured perfectly clean from dust before each and every pour or it will show up big time later on ... I forgot to mention your task at hand is going good. Can't wait to see the river flowing when finished... Cal and Grandpadave52 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadio Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 1 hour ago, Smallpatch said: I know you have done this before so I will mention to the gallery of folks watching from the bleachers, epoxy should be poured no thicker than an 1/8" at a pouring, let set up then do it again till the desired thickness is reached. So If you are filling the entire river with epoxy you should be through around June or July... and they should not forget to keep the area to be poured perfectly clean from dust before each and every pour or it will show up big time later on ... I forgot to mention your task at hand is going good. Can't wait to see the river flowing when finished... I didn't know that, I thought it was like pouring concrete, just back up the truck and let er go. I am following this with interest because awhile back I wanted to do similar on a small project and ordered the crystals of glow in the dark stuff. I received it and there was no instructions as how to use it ,i.e. what proportions to mix with the epoxy, so I put it somewhere I can't remember where and someday will run across it and want to use it up. I just hope it isn't before I forget what it is used for. Does it have to be a special epoxy, arn't they all the same, can I just go over to Lowes or Ace HW and pick up a can? Herb Cal and Grandpadave52 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallpatch Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 Most all the stores have almost the same just different labels.. Some have bar top epoxy which ends up harder and withstands scratches somewhat better.. All 2 part epoxies, 50-50 are mostly the same. There are 2 to 1 ratios and it would be best to stick with the same formula and learn whats best to do. You need to find some instructions for air bubbles will be the biggest problems and a hair dryer will help there but it needs to run on as low of air as you can to keep from stirring up dust which is also the next problem... Like use a small room, using a fine water mist spray all the walls, pour the epoxy, take out the bubbles and get out and shut the door. I use to use a eye dropper and put some of the stuff in the bottle on top of the pour and it would remove the bubbles.. This was 30 or more years ago...Don't know if they still have the same remedy if they have changed except maybe now use a blo drier to some satisfaction..The air bubbles can be partly eliminated by spraying lacquer on all the wood to be covered with the epoxy. The wood cracks can harbor lots of air bubbles. Epoxy needs to be at least 70 degrees to work the best.... I am waiting right now for some good warmer days. I think all epoxys I have been around stresses the 1/8" thick formula. I think it would end up not drying like pouring a large dam with concrete that will never cure like it should if its all poured at once.. I'm sure somewhere on the computer will have instructions. I'm too impatient to sit and listen to someone beat around the bush so I never have watched any after the first time and this guy spent the first half hour showing how cute he was and never got to talking about what he made the video of. Cal, HARO50 and Dadio 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted February 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 (edited) None of the BORGS around here carry two part clear epoxy. Otherwise, I'd have it now. The "river" in this table will be blue glass. The epoxy is used for filling cracks and other voids that mesquite is famous for. I mix turquoise dust with the epoxy. I've poured large expanses before. A heat gun is definitely necessary to bring the bubbles out. Epoxy is exothermic. If properly mixed, there's no worries about it curing. All you need to watch on a thick pour is that the first layer has released all or most of it's heat. Otherwise, it'll likely crack. I've poured it a 1/4" thick for a bar top with no problems. In fact, we've poured half rounds with embedments a couple inches at a time. Edited February 3, 2018 by Gene Howe HARO50 and Cal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandyDan Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 (edited) 4 hours ago, Gene Howe said: None of the BORGS around here carry two part clear epoxy. Otherwise, I'd have it now. The "river" in this table will be blue glass. The epoxy is used for filling cracks and other voids that mesquite is famous for. I mix turquoise dust with the epoxy. I've poured large expanses before. A heat gun is definitely necessary to bring the bubbles out. Epoxy is exothermic. If properly mixed, there's no worries about it curing. All you need to watch on a thick pour is that the first layer has released all or most of it's heat. Otherwise, it'll likely crack. I've poured it a 1/4" thick for a bar top with no problems. In fact, we've poured half rounds with embedments a couple inches at a time. Do you have ant craft stores around? They usually have the two part epoxy in store. Thanks, Dan. None any where near. Closest place is Flagstaff, 120 miles away. Edited February 4, 2018 by Gene Howe Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallpatch Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 I just bought some at Lowes and I compared that price at HD the next time we went there. It might be your clinentell , this miss fired word stands for people who stand around in a store and trys to remember what it was they wanted to buy but forgot when they got to the can I help you peoples. Also the recommendations when stirring the epoxies together, when through stirring, pour in only the part that will pour.. In other words do not scrape whats still in the container and use it also for it probably did not get mixed up like the rest and this might be where some of the bad names comes from that don't set up like it should. Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadio Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, Gene Howe said: None of the BORGS around here carry two part clear epoxy. Otherwise, I'd have it now. The "river" in this table will be blue glass. The epoxy is used for filling cracks and other voids that mesquite is famous for. I mix turquoise dust with the epoxy. I've poured large expanses before. A heat gun is definitely necessary to bring the bubbles out. Epoxy is exothermic. If properly mixed, there's no worries about it curing. All you need to watch on a thick pour is that the first layer has released all or most of it's heat. Otherwise, it'll likely crack. I've poured it a 1/4" thick for a bar top with no problems. In fact, we've poured half rounds with embedments a couple inches at a time. Gene is there a ratio of the colored powder that you mix into the epoxy and do you mix it in before the second part or after the second part is mixed together? I have seen different colors of epoxy, some yellowish and some clear, and some crystal clear. does it make a difference what color is used if you add color? Also not certain about heating, do you heat the can, the epoxy as you pour it,after it is poured ? Herb Edited February 3, 2018 by Dadio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gene Howe Posted February 4, 2018 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 Herb, I use artist's acrylic paint in the tubes. In 6 oz. Of the mix, about a 1/4" of the worm that comes out will give you a solid color. Of course, you can lessen it for more transparency. I always buy the crystal clear, as often it might get used without any paint or other additions. For small jobs, Alumilite has a 16 oz kit. (2ea 8 oz bottles) of crystal clear. As to mixing, you'll need three containers. The size of all three need to be about twice as big as the total amount of the mix. You'll need some tongue depressors as stir sticks or, a longer scrap of wood for larger mixes. And a rubber spatula or one of those plastic, handled, putty knives used for applying small batches of Bondo. You carefully measure out an amount from the first bottle into one container. Then an equal amount in the second container. Then pour both, one at a time, into the third container. Being careful to scrape out each container to get all of the contents. Then stir for two minutes, scraping the sides as you stir. After two minutes of stirring, transfer the epoxy to one of your other used containers. Scrape it all out. Then stir for another two minutes. If you add color, you can do that before either stir. If you are coating a flat piece and you have calculated correctly, you'll want to use every drop. That's where the spatula or putty knife comes into play. You use that to scrape out all of the liquid. If you've mixed too much...the excess is just gone. After it's poured to the thickness you want, you'll see the air bubbles begin to appear. That's where you use the heat gun blowing across the surface. This gets rid of the bubbles, but keep an eye on it. More may appear. Be ready. Most epoxies need the pouring area heated to around 70 to 75 degrees. And, even more dust free than for applying poly. Usually my edge dams are high enough to support a piece of cardboard across it. I hope this has been helpful. I'm no expert but, if you have questions I'll try to answer them...or find the answer. Cal, HARO50, p_toad and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadio Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 That is great, Gene, thanks for taking the time to explain the procedure. Herb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted February 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 You're more than welcome, Herb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gene Howe Posted February 14, 2018 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 Routing for river table glass is getting a little monotonous. Got the first part done, routing up against the glass edge, using a 1/2” X 1/4” top bearing bit in a Bosch colt. A bit scary at first. But it worked well. However, now due to the curves on the live edges, there’s about an 1 1/2” more that has to come off. That itty bitty bit and router ain’t hacking it. Time to change to a bigger bit and a bigger router. The Freud 3 hp and a 5/8” straight bit might do the trick. Staying away from the edge the glass butts to will be nerve racking, though. But, it definitely won’t be boring. p_toad, HARO50, Dadio and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted February 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 Bit and router changed. No problems now. Love that Freud beast. Got some done but, now it's time to take Phyl out for a Valentine's day lunch. Lots of stuff on the agenda for tomorrow thru Sunday. Get the rest routed and glass installed Monday. Then, its on to the legs. HARO50, Stick486, p_toad and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 Pics Gene, we want some pics!!! Grandpadave52 and Gene Howe 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted February 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 4 hours ago, Cal said: Pics Gene, we want some pics!!! Patience, my good buddy. Maybe Tuesday next. Right now its practically smothered in shavings and there's a lot more routing to do. I'll get some pics when the glass is in. Cal, Grandpadave52 and HARO50 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gene Howe Posted February 15, 2018 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted February 15, 2018 For @Cal..... Grandpadave52, Cal, Dadio and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpadave52 Posted February 15, 2018 Report Share Posted February 15, 2018 Gonna' be AWESOME when it's finished Gene!! Love the touches of turquoise within the epoxy fill. Gene Howe and Cal 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted February 15, 2018 Report Share Posted February 15, 2018 Thanks Gene - I know that will be spectacular in short order. Did you save the bark to reattach after the routing is done? Gene Howe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted February 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2018 14 minutes ago, Cal said: Did you save the bark to reattach after the routing is done? Riiight! Done burned. Sawdust is saved, though. Mesquite smoked ribs, ya know. Grandpadave52, Cal and HARO50 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpadave52 Posted February 15, 2018 Report Share Posted February 15, 2018 3 hours ago, Gene Howe said: Mesquite smoked ribs, ya know. What night? Should I bring a dish? HARO50 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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