Gunsmithing Bedding Question, Devcon not curing?

[Swan]

Just attempted a bedding job with the Devcon steel putty. After 24 hrs of cure time we pulled the action out and the bedding compound was still soft to the touch (fingerprints imprinted). We attempted to mix with a ratio of 2.5:1 or 3:1 as was stated on the box. Checked again today, approx. 36hrs cure time, and it was still mushy to the touch. So we got pissed, tore it all out and are gonna try again.

Is the ratio wrong? Does too much hardener have the opposite effect? What recommendations? Have read through every thread and did not see similar issues.

 

[deadly0311]

Re: Bedding Question, Devcon not curing?

try 2:1 ratio......2 scoops of compound and 1 of hardner

 

[Powder_Burns]

Re: Bedding Question, Devcon not curing?

Humidity?

 

[skydiveblake]

Re: Bedding Question, Devcon not curing?

Not that humid in San Diego. Kinda dry, actually.

What about Marine Tex - I've seen that mentioned a few times - is that a viable option? That's easier for us to get in San Diego than Devcon.

 

[c1steve]

Re: Bedding Question, Devcon not curing?

You can try warming the object up to 120-150 degrees for 4 -12 hours. That would usually do it, if the reaction is going to go off at all.

-Steve

 

[JimT]

Re: Bedding Question, Devcon not curing?

I had a similar problem the first time I used it. More hardener took care of the issue. Make sure you mix it well also.

 

[border_reiver]

Re: Bedding Question, Devcon not curing?

mix up some small batches of different ratios and see how they set up, but you probably could use a little more hardener if it's still soft. We used Devcon in Scotland where it was humid and cold, and it still set up fine..

 

[Hateca]

Re: Bedding Question, Devcon not curing?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HDC-Deadly</div><div class="ubbcode-body">try 2:1 ratio......2 scoops of compound and 1 of hardner </div></div>

+1 don't over think it just do 2 to 1 and you will be fine. If the stuff isn't hard in four hours you're doing something wrong.

 

[border_reiver]

Re: Bedding Question, Devcon not curing?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HateCA</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HDC-Deadly</div><div class="ubbcode-body">try 2:1 ratio......2 scoops of compound and 1 of hardner </div></div>

+1 don't over think it just do 2 to 1 and you will be fine. If the stuff isn't hard in four hours you're doing something wrong. </div></div>

or it needs viagra

 

[Captain Kirk]

Re: Bedding Question, Devcon not curing?

Epoxy and resins do have a shelf life, may be you happened to get a older batch.

Kirk R

 

[AUJohn]

Re: Bedding Question, Devcon not curing?

Old, cold or bad.
You can use heat but if it's off it's off.

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: Bedding Question, Devcon not curing?

i just had great luck with JB weld. after 2 hours it was stiff enough not to run. 4 hours it was getting close. after 5 hours i could barely leave a dent with my fingernail in a test puddle i set aside to monitor. at about 5.5 hours i knocked the action out and trimmed while i could cut with an xacto. after that i put the action back and let it sit for a while. the i let sit with the action out. its all good. pics in the sticky bedding post by roscoe in smithing

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Bedding Question, Devcon not curing?

Be sure you mix it for the full time the directions recommend. Mixing time makes a difference.