Where can you buy Acraglas Gel in Canada?
- Thread starter Rob
- Start date
You can get west systems epoxies from Lee Valley, but it will cost more than acraglas - you would also need either micro-balloons or microfibers to get the consistency (West systems sells both). The other option is to use G2 epoxy and balloons or fibres (also from lee valley) both epoxies will mix with epoxy dyes (available from any specialty wood shop)
Both are pretty expensive - particularly if you have one job
Acraglas is nice because it does not shrink and the mix is basically fool proof
G2 is mixed by weight, West is more forgiving - both have some documentation on how much filler you can use
I use G2 + microfibers and have not seen any shrinkage.
If you have one job, find some acraglas. if you have one job and need a quality epoxy occasionally, use G2
EDIT: I forgot, for both G2 and West you need to create your own release agent solution. Packing tape and paraffin wax works well.
West Systems make all kinds of products, 105, 405 etc. are a 2 part marine epoxy resin sytem used widely for fibreglass fab and repairs, muchly in the marine industry. I had my numbers mixed up, happy news!
502 is the pigment dye that you can use to tint their epoxies. They also sell various admixes for strength or other properties.
One quick search led me to this site: 1L of resin is $63, 1 gallon of resin is $146.
https://rustydesign.ca/products/west-system-105-epoxy-resin
I've used a LOT of West system epoxies over the years - and Industrial Formulators (not sure if they're still called that) in boat repair. You can do a lot with them.
For rifles, the gunsmith that bedded my two target rifles used Devcon steel-epoxy blend - the "resin" has fine-powdered steel in it and the hardener is, well, hardener. It gives you a fairly long pot life and working time and works a lot like putty when mixed right. Yes, you'll need a release agent. I went whole hog and bought mold release paste wax when I rebedded a couple of my rifles. The Devcon cures to a dark grey.
Thing about West epoxies is that while they're really versatile, it can be a challenge to get the right thickness when you're using thickening agents. Too thick and it doesn't spread as well as you need, too thin and it runs out of where you want it. I haven't worked with acraglas products but when I did the amazon search it was amazon.ca, not amazon.com, and the .ca site said it was available
Edit: Whatever you end up using, make sure you glove up and work with good ventilation. Wash off any epoxy you get on your skin - you don't want those chemicals absorbing into your body. If you're doing a lot and then sanding, mask up, too. respirator with good filters can be a good thing. The hardeners in epoxies ain't good for you.
For rifles, the gunsmith that bedded my two target rifles used Devcon steel-epoxy blend - the "resin" has fine-powdered steel in it and the hardener is, well, hardener. It gives you a fairly long pot life and working time and works a lot like putty when mixed right. Yes, you'll need a release agent. I went whole hog and bought mold release paste wax when I rebedded a couple of my rifles. The Devcon cures to a dark grey.
Thing about West epoxies is that while they're really versatile, it can be a challenge to get the right thickness when you're using thickening agents. Too thick and it doesn't spread as well as you need, too thin and it runs out of where you want it. I haven't worked with acraglas products but when I did the amazon search it was amazon.ca, not amazon.com, and the .ca site said it was available
Edit: Whatever you end up using, make sure you glove up and work with good ventilation. Wash off any epoxy you get on your skin - you don't want those chemicals absorbing into your body. If you're doing a lot and then sanding, mask up, too. respirator with good filters can be a good thing. The hardeners in epoxies ain't good for you.
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Buy it from Brownells Inc... 8 oz and 8 oz ... it will last for ages and use paste wax for a release agent.
The AcraGlass and AcraGel have been developed by Brownells for the gun trade. Extemerly low shrinkage when it cures. I first used their products in 1966. Excellent company for the gunsmithing trade.
The AcraGlass and AcraGel have been developed by Brownells for the gun trade. Extemerly low shrinkage when it cures. I first used their products in 1966. Excellent company for the gunsmithing trade.
I've been using it for 45 years, and it has always worked for a variety of purposes, including bedding. Familiarity is why I wanted to find it rather than use other resin/epoxy products.
(The well-respected gunsmith David Henry of Bentley, Alberta, recommended Crisco to me as a release agent.)
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Rusty Woods just got some in.
I started out with Acraglass in the 70's and still use it. Great luck with it after all these yrs for other uses too besides gunstocks ! Rusty Woods was also where I got my last shipment a few yrs back !
I've also used the Miles Gilbert bedding kits which also work well. Comes with the micro balloons and the dies to color.
I did get into the Devcon 10110 for bedding, bout 10-12 yrs ago..but that was a bonus for me...as we used Devcon previously to repair water cooled manifolds and bilge pump brackets and wash down pump elbows on my old gas engine lobster boat (( 292 chev 6 cyl ))...the stuff doesn't mind salt water at all...lol
I've also used the Miles Gilbert bedding kits which also work well. Comes with the micro balloons and the dies to color.
I did get into the Devcon 10110 for bedding, bout 10-12 yrs ago..but that was a bonus for me...as we used Devcon previously to repair water cooled manifolds and bilge pump brackets and wash down pump elbows on my old gas engine lobster boat (( 292 chev 6 cyl ))...the stuff doesn't mind salt water at all...lol
BigUglyMan
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The Old Man always used the old-school Penaten Cream (diaper rash cream) and it has worked really well.
