Gunsmithing Adding glass beads to bedding epoxy?

[GSRswapandslow]

Im about to bed a rifle...and was wondering if i could add in some of my shafting beads to the epoxy to make it a little more putty like? I am using marine tex grey, btw.

shaft beads are just tiny glass beads used to center up golf shafts in hosels when reshafting: https://www.golfworks.com/the-golfworks-glass-shafting-beads/p/gw0043/

 

[GSRswapandslow]

as an alternative, i also have aluminum powder i could mix in?

 

[Jumper]

Not a gunsmith but have some experience with epoxy and resins. I would not use the beads. I would use the aluminum. The hollow spheres/beads make the epoxy less dense and easier to feather sand when it's hardened. So it's function is primarily for cosmetic finishing purposes. This i think is the opposite of what you want when bedding a rifle. Powdered aluminum will add density and make it more putty like. Just do as much clean up before it hardens to save on finishing work.

 

[GSRswapandslow]

Not a gunsmith but have some experience with epoxy and resins. I would not use the beads. I would use the aluminum. The hollow spheres/beads make the epoxy less dense and easier to feather sand when it's hardened. So it's function is primarily for cosmetic finishing purposes. This i think is the opposite of what you want when bedding a rifle. Powdered aluminum will add density and make it more putty like. Just do as much clean up before it hardens to save on finishing work.

ill pull a little aluminum powder out tonight and mix some up. i just didn't want to open the pack up if its not gonna benefit.. the glass beads i use when building clubs, and have enough to play with...but, didn't want to just waste marine tex either.

 

[buffalowinter]

Brownell's sells both steel and aluminum powder to add to bedding compound.

 

[LRI]

Brownell's sells both steel and aluminum powder to add to bedding compound.

...and you'll pay 3,4,5 times what its worth. Much better off sourcing this stuff from a specialty house that deals in atomized AL, tungsten, whatever.

It's out there online, just have to dig for it.

 

[GH41]

I spent many years building and repairing boats. We commonly used micro balloons for thickening liquid epoxy to make a fairing compound. Like Jumper said... It is not for structural use. I never had problems using Marine Tex as mixed without additives. Just make dams with modeling clay and let it rip. I use a small cheap wood carving set to make everything pretty after it dries.

 

[GSRswapandslow]

...and you'll pay 3,4,5 times what its worth. Much better off sourcing this stuff from a specialty house that deals in atomized AL, tungsten, whatever.

It's out there online, just have to dig for it.

yeah...i sourced mine from a 3rd party through my work, MUCHHHHHH cheaper than whats out there for gun smiths.

 

[GSRswapandslow]

I pillar bedded a 10/22 with a mix tonight....i went really slow on mixing it in to get the consistency i wanted, and it seems to have gone fine. Now to try it on a full action tonight.

 

[Edds]

Why are you wanting it thicker?

 

[Fig]

Thicker is easier to control, and preferable if you’re not rolling glass out/repairing a hull.

 

[GSRswapandslow]

Why are you wanting it thicker?

Im trying to mitigate epoxy flowing into places i dont want it to. Having tape, relase agent, and putty only go so far.

 

[Yondering]

Im trying to mitigate epoxy flowing into places i dont want it to. Having tape, relase agent, and putty only go so far.

So just use AcraGlas Gel? That's exactly the reason it exists.

 

[YukonRob]

Modeling clay, tape and release agent only go so far... but it’s farther than far enough!
I’ve had best luck with Devcon plastic steel putty. It’s thick enough to wipe and stay, but flows enough for a seamless finish.

Devcon® Plastic Steel® Putty (A) - ITW Performance Polymers

Devcon Plastic Steel® Putty (A) is a metal-filled epoxy used for routine maintenance, production & tooling applications.

itwperformancepolymers.com

 

[308pirate]

Modeling clay, tape and release agent only go so far... but it’s farther than far enough!
I’ve had best luck with Devcon plastic steel putty. It’s thick enough to wipe and stay, but flows enough for a seamless finish.

Devcon® Plastic Steel® Putty (A) - ITW Performance Polymers

Devcon Plastic Steel® Putty (A) is a metal-filled epoxy used for routine maintenance, production & tooling applications.

itwperformancepolymers.com

My choice as well

 

[sirhrmechanic]

There is an auto body product called Metal-to-metal. By evercoat. Very rugged epoxy with aluminum filler, not talc, like Bondo.

Never tried it for bedding, but having sanded a lot of it, and would bet it works fine for bedding. Much cheaper than gunsmithing products. Then again, may not be as suitable, either.

Sirhr

 

[spartan50]

I agree with the above members on use of the DEVCON.....Great product just wish it was a little cheaper?

 

[brianf]

not for bedding but for bonding

we all know AI bonds as do the tube guns

do they use strait epoxy or do they add fillers/metals as well.

from what i know AI uses straight marine tex but yo cant always trust what you read etc.