Other Any Experiences with Epoxy Resin OTHER than WEST SYSTEM????

[kawyjunki]

So naturally its that time of the year when most of us are either modding, repairing, rebuliding, or building on our hulls. As is my case. I was wanting to hear from any of you guys that have used the epoxy resisns that U.S. Composites sells such as the 3:1 or 4:1 thinset epoxy's. How did they perform, were you pleased with there workability, etc..... I have always used WEST SYSTEM,I'm out of it now and needing to order more. I like W.S., and its performance etc..., other than the priceier tag that comes with it. This is why I was curious about the others. If I can expect the same reliability out of these off brand lets say, then I would go with that this time.

 

[Freakrider]

U.S Composites better prices and good quality epoxy...

 

[kawyjunki]

U.S Composites better prices and good quality epoxy...

For Sure!!!! U.S. Composites is the only place I will buy from. Always have the best prices!!
Did you use there brand of Epoxy?

 

[Freakrider]

For Sure!!!! U.S. Composites is the only place I will buy from. Always have the best prices!!
Did you use there brand of Epoxy?

yes with their carbon fiber, holding up good.

 

[kawyjunki]

Awesome!! Thats what I was wanting to hear. Thanks!!!

 

[chad]

they are the only resins i use as well , have never had a problem with ther product

 

[509freerider]

US composites, can't beat the price and quality!

 

[WAB]

agreed.
get the US composits 'house brand' 635 thin epoxy w/ medium hardener.
EPOX-635314----Gallon Epoxy + 42.6oz hardener = $68.00
Get the pumps also.

 

[FearMyWrX]

US composites, can't beat the price and quality!

I can vouch for it being a great product. I've seen a lot of of work done by 509Freerider and it looks better than the "Reputable" companies who make CF parts in the Automotive industry.

We've got some projects coming up and we are ordering more of it.

 

[OCD Solutions]

I have used both West and US Composites in the past with excellent results. Trinity Composites is now offering a version of their resin to the open market. Knowing Bobby, it is top notch but I have not heard from anyone else that has used it.

 

[Martin33]

X2

 

[O2VW1.8T]

Have you guys used the stuff from lowes or auto store. I mean i used that to shorten my hull and reinforce the sides. I've had hundreds of failed barrel rolls, a lot of failed backflips, always beaching it not one crack or anything. I didnt reinforce the front so destroyed it when i went nose first at the beach. I was thinking of getting the us composite stuff this time around. Just wondering of the other stuff fails over time

 

[GTIJosh]

Aeropoxy (room temp cure) is a little cheaper and has slightly better strength characteristics if I remember correctly. Wicks aircraft is a good source for it.

 

[SUPERJET-113]

I have used 3 different brands, and West is best IMO, but more $$. US Composites cant be beat for quality and price, I have used a lot of it. Then i have tried the guy on Ebay quite a few years ago, cant remember his user name, but Matt_E bought some of it too back then. It was OK and the price was even cheaper than US, but I thought it was more brittle after cure compared to West or US and was harder to work with.

I agree too the best bang for buck/quality is US Composites IMO.

 

[227]

I see US Composites gets good marks from every one however the majority still say West Systems is the best, so a better question is, What is better about West Systems over US Composites?

 

[kevbo]

I see US Composites gets good marks from every one however the majority still say West Systems is the best, so a better question is, What is better about West Systems over US Composites?

West has better advertisements and a better looking can. Thats about as technical as it gets here.

 

[OCD Solutions]

Bobby posted up a bunch of comparison numbers between his product and West Systems in this thread.
http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/102043...by-Trinity-Composites&highlight=t3+composites

There were no specs posted for US composites though. :dunno:

T3 is mixed 2 parts resin to 1 part hardener
West is 5 to 1 for the 205/206 hardener and roughly 3.5 to 1 for the 209 slow hardener

T3 is easier to mix and understand with out pumps or scales, obviously pumps and scales could still be used. I mix using a scale in grams or for the average setup cups can easily be used for a 2 to 1 system.

"Shore D hardness" is a way of measuring using a specific test tool the amount of pressure applied to permanently dent a sample.
T3 83 West 83

"Tensile strength" measured amount of pulling force required to fracture the resin sample.
T3 9,800 psi West 7,800 psi

"Flexural Strength" measured amount of force required to fracture in a bending motion.
T3 14,800 psi West 12,500 psi

"Compression yield" measured amount of force from all sides to compress it before failure
T3 15,400psi West 11,500 psi

Cost
T3 $132.00 1.5 gal. West $138 1.25 gal

Those are the major numbers to compare the performance of the materials in question.

 

[waterfreak]

I like Fiberglass coatings Epoxies. The best part is that they are right next door to me!

 

[madness maker]

i just used US composites thin 3-1 epoxy for some foothold installs/front foothold fab,and fabbed chin pad, had good results.

 

[smoofers]

US Composites is also one of my mainstay epoxies. I have used it on more skis than I can count and have never been disappointed.

I have also used West System and Jeffco (Rhino Linings Corp) resins, but bang for the buck US Composites cant be beat.