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ed morini · 11-10-2010, 07:28 AM

I don't post much, but I have been reading postings since my signing on.
I have watched the discussion concerning sealing with interest over the years. I have not done alot of plugs, but I have done boatloads (literally) of wood used in and around the water. I have found that for longevity you cannot beat sealing with epoxy. I have done both methods, 1 where you heat the stock apply the epoxy and then rapidly cool it to allow absorption into the stock and two a thinned epoxy mixture. The thinned epoxy works best, and is far more economical than using the regular mix. I use a mixture of 1 part of mixed (the epoxy should be solvent free)with 3 parts of either acetone or xylene(better). There are several commercial sealers available, but these are around $90/gallon, way to much. I buy my epoxy from Raka Marine and the mixed sealer works out to about $30/gallon, in line with most other sealers used in plug making. The sealer can be mixed in any quantity needed, the addition of the xylene greatly increases the pot life so there is plenty (hours) of time to soak and drip. It should be noted that different woods seal differently, hardwoods do have pores so the absorption is greater than in the softwoods that have no pores. Just a thought.

Prof M Thanks for the reel its been great, better was meeting up with you, need another tool holder for Vega please pm with cosatrs

Thanks

Ed

11-10-2010, 07:28 AM	#6
ed morini Registered User iTrader: (0) Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: holliston,ma Posts: 120	sealing I don't post much, but I have been reading postings since my signing on. I have watched the discussion concerning sealing with interest over the years. I have not done alot of plugs, but I have done boatloads (literally) of wood used in and around the water. I have found that for longevity you cannot beat sealing with epoxy. I have done both methods, 1 where you heat the stock apply the epoxy and then rapidly cool it to allow absorption into the stock and two a thinned epoxy mixture. The thinned epoxy works best, and is far more economical than using the regular mix. I use a mixture of 1 part of mixed (the epoxy should be solvent free)with 3 parts of either acetone or xylene(better). There are several commercial sealers available, but these are around $90/gallon, way to much. I buy my epoxy from Raka Marine and the mixed sealer works out to about $30/gallon, in line with most other sealers used in plug making. The sealer can be mixed in any quantity needed, the addition of the xylene greatly increases the pot life so there is plenty (hours) of time to soak and drip. It should be noted that different woods seal differently, hardwoods do have pores so the absorption is greater than in the softwoods that have no pores. Just a thought. Prof M Thanks for the reel its been great, better was meeting up with you, need another tool holder for Vega please pm with cosatrs Thanks Ed