Gunsmithing How long after bedding with Devcon should I separate the metal?

[MG-70]

I'm about to re-attempt to bed a PTG detachable mag bottom metal on a Remington 700 Bell & Carlson stock with Devcon and would like to know approximately how long I should wait for it to dry before removing the metal and trimming work with a knife, etc.?

My first attempt didn't go too bad, except for the fact it didn't completely harden afterwards. I called the manufacturer and they told me I probably got the weight ratio wrong (9/1). I used a generic Amazon-bought digital scale and I don't think it measured the lighter-weight hardener accurately. This time I'm going with a manual RCBS powder scale that I borrowed.

I know the Devcon shrinks a bit and I'm trying to get the seams between bottom metal and stock inletting to look nice and flush. I'm using neutral shoe polish as a release agent, which seems to have worked last time. I still needed to clean some very minor Devcon from some small corners on the bottom metal with alcohol and a plastic scraper.

Any tips on how long I should let it dry before attempting to remove the bottom metal?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mordamer]

I do cleanup immediately after installing the bottom metal using wd-40 on a cloth or swab. Devcon wipes away completely when still wet. All the squeeze out cleans up nicely with this method and I wait the full hardening time before I remove the part. If you remove the part while the epoxy is still soft you run the risk of ruining your perfect fit by deforming some of the epoxy.

 

[NWnewguy]

I usually wait 24 hours. I got this I believe from Richard Franklins video. It's probably a little longer than necessary but it's better than not long enough!