I’m building a multi-density EPS blank. I have been using epoxy resin to glue my blanks. Is there a glue that will yield to a hot wire? the next blank will have a 2 inch 4 pound foam stringer for a 2 pound blank.
If no one knows, I’m going to try Gorilla glue first. I had some trouble gettting Elmers white to harden. It was soupy for days. I finally scapped it off.
Try Roo glue clear. It"s working time is 20 minutes and it sets in 4 hours.
I use Gorilla Glue - actually the Elmer’s version of foaming PU glue, it comes in bigger, cheaper containers and dries a light yellow instead of brown - and the hotwire goes right through.
I had some trouble gettting Elmers white to harden. It was soupy for days. I finally scapped it off.
The key to elmers white is to spread it on both surfaces, and leave exposed to air for a little and let it start to tack and then put the surfaces together.
… as discussed in: http://www.swaylocks.com/forum/gforum.cgi?post=181886#181886
Hey. thanks, guys. I’m on it.
I use Gorilla Glue - actually the Elmer’s version of foaming PU glue, it comes in bigger, cheaper containers and dries a light yellow instead of brown - and the hotwire goes right through.
How big of containers of gorrila glue do you get? The Roo clear is $35.00 for a gallon, and I have never had a proplem with it turning brown.
Wow, that’s even better. I get 16 oz for about $12. It lasts several boards, I usually split a 2’ wide piece into 4 6" pieces to hotwire to thickness, and I usually first glue a 2’ piece to an 8’ piece to make them 10’s. Then, once profiled, glue all 4 pieces back together to make the blank. It doesn’t take much glue. I spread it on one side with a glassing squeegee & mist the other side with water. So I have quite a bit of surface area.
Benny1,
The Gorilla glue is definitely easier to get a hold of. Lowes carries it around here, and a few hardware stores. And we all know you have to pay a little more for convenience. Do they not sell 10’ blocks of foam in your area?
Paul
Hello all…
I use the elmers PU with great success, It’ll slow the hotwire down alittle, but not too bad.
STW, are you guys buying the roo clear locally, or are you ordering online?
Josh
I’ve heard that you can cut polyurethane foam with hot wire but it releases toxic fumes… is polyurethane glue OK?
I can order 10’ blocks, but haven’t bothered yet. I like the 8’ because they fit in my truck with the gate closed 
and gluing them up is no big deal at all. I’m in no way a production guy, so taking my time is part of the package.
I’ll check out the Roo Glue. Thanks for the tip.
Josh.
We are ordering it by phone from the distributor in St. Petersburg. Thats the closest one. Let me know if you want to try some.
Paul
Benny, what is the point of splitting the blank into 6-inch pieces and then gluing back?
My hotwire setup was really frustrating me with breaking wires, so by splitting them into 6" pieces, I was able to rip them to thickness & rocker on my bandsaw. 5 minutes instead of an hour. Then I found I liked the way 3 glue lines stiffened up the blank for shaping almost like a stringer would, but without any weight.
Now my hotwire’s ok so I just do 2 halves. But I just got a block of 8" thick EPS (thanks Dower) & I’m going to cut it on the 8" dimension, so each blank will be 3 x 8" pieces - 2 glue lines.
If I split the 4’x8’ sheet into 2’ sections first, then hotwire for blanks, I only get 4 blanks from the one sheet. But if I set the block on its edge & move my 3" wire guides down the block as I go, I get 16 pieces. 15 pieces = 5 blanks, not 4. Plus a spare.