Recommend a good casting epoxy or plastic for a magwell?

M

Markit

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After trying to machine a magwell for a doublestack from both aluminum and delrin without success, I have decided to make one using a mold. My machining skills are just not up to the task.

Before anyone suggests I just buy one they don't make a magwell for this pistol.

The mold I made used an STI 2011 Magwell that I modified to fit the pistol but so far the products used for casting the mold are not working out.

The form is fine but the mag wells are too soft and won't stand up to repeated use.

Can anyone recommend a good quality 2 part epoxy or plastic for casting that would be suitable for this application?

I have tried several System 3 epoxies I had on hand and a 2 part liquid plastic called Smooth - Cast 326. These flow well when heated slightly and cast without bubbles but are too soft.

Next up would be JB weld but I don't think it will work.

I know magwells have been made from plastics or perhaps epoxy for glock's, m & p's etc but I can find no info on what materials were used.

Any info is appreciated.

Marc
 
you need a glass or carbon fiber filled thermoplastic
coast fibertek might have some advice for you.
smooth on makes a bunch of duty grade casting rubbers and plastics and such..... sculpture supply Canada has a massive inventory of products.
 
45 is right but just use the Sys 3 epoxy and add the CF filler to it. If you can arrange it, after a room temp cure, do a post cure at about 150F for twenty four hours. With many epoxies a post cure can double the strength but check the specs of the exact epoxy you are using. CF can be bought in small quantities packaged by WEST. Use a gram scale to weigh each part of the epoxy, wrong proportions can result in soft epoxy. The cheap ketchup pumps they sell are not accurate enough. Figure out the weight as a ratio like 100:16. Put the resin in a non waxed cup and use a calculator to add the percentage of hardener to get your total weight. This is especially good for small quantities where a few drops can put it way off. If the label doesn't give you the mix by weight call the maker or get a spec sheet on it. Putting the epoxy in squeeze bottles makes it easier to dispense. How much CF, as much as you can and still have reasonable casting ability.
 
Thanks for the info.

I have carbon fibre weave at home from another project (closed circuit rebreather scuba diving equipment).

Are you recommending I grind up the carbon fibre somehow or cut strands into very very short lengths and add it to the epoxy?

If so I will give this a try.

Will also try curing in the oven when the wife is not around :)

Marc
 
Since you have some carbon fiber cloth you can just cut it into 2 to 3 mm lengths and mix it in with the resin. You want to use enough that it starts to thicken up a little and most definetly makes the resin look black
 
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