epoxy expert

Choosing the Best Doming Resin for Your Project

The economy, the environment, and numerous other causes are prompting more people than ever to learn new skills, and to tackle projects that they would have paid someone else to do in year’s past, themselves.

Whether it’s repainting the house, or fixing up a sagging fence, folks today are finding ways to do more with less, and to be more resourceful. Of course, this extend beyond just household chores and maintenance. The world of arts and crafts, forever the realm of do-it-yourselfers, is experiencing a surge in interest, as more people have taken to creating their own decorations and jewelry items.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Not only are ranks of artists increasing, the new additions seem to have brought with them a new flair for doing things in ways not before seen.

Doming resins are basically just epoxy, but there are some important things to consider before you choose one that is appropriate for your project, and there are some helpful tips that we’ll share with you to help you as your work with this medium.

What should you be looking for as you collect your supplies for your next great project

Well, as you may know, the defining property of epoxy is that it consists of two parts, that when mixed, form an incredibly strong compound. And, as we discussed in our piece about epoxy spray paint, the amount of time it takes to cure is a very important item of information.

Before you begin working with doming resin, you need to ask yourself how much time you need before the epoxy becomes “unworkable,” that is, before it cures into a state that can no longer be manipulated. This is all determined by the hardener, which is often referred to as the “Part B.”

Epoxies can be found that cure in as little as 5 minutes, or as much as several hours. Epoxy floors are getting more and more due to their many advantages including the aesthetics. Kitchen epoxy floors and garage epoxy coatings are the places where you most found them in a private home.

Furthermore, you can influence how long it takes by altering the temperature in your working environment. If you want to speed things up, turn up the thermostat. If you’d like to maximize your working time, do your work in the coldest temperature that you can stand.

If you’re looking for a great all-purpose doming resin epoxy I usually recommend System Three’s General Purpose Resin. It’s top quality, and their customer service reps are as friendly as they come.

How to Pick the Best Wood Glue

Asking an experienced group of woodworkers which glue they prefer will likely yield an equal number of answers for as many craftsmen as there are in the room.

For the most part, that probably has to do with the fact that different glues work best in different situations, but it would be nice to know if, given all of the same conditions, could any one product be labeled the “best wood glue?” We will attempt to answer this question.

Ask your woodworker buddies which glue they would use if they were constructing a relatively complex table out of pine. For the most part, the most popular choice for best wood glue is Titebond II or Titebond III, and it’s easy to see why.

It is very easy to use, and it provides exceptional strength. There may not be a perfect wood glue, but most would agree that Titebond products come pretty close. Other suggestions here included Yellow Glue, and Gorilla Glue. Gorilla should probably be discounted a little bit, as it came from the most amateur of the builders, and in this author’s opinion, simply isn’t a great product.

Of course, like epoxy resins, we favor two part glues for their unsurpassed strength and durability. Additionally, epoxies offer a number of different consistencies and styles to fit just about any project, and can be modified to suit a specific purpose.

Finding the best wood glue for your project should first involve a thorough evaluation of your specific project, and an honest appraisal of your preferences.

What we have done here is offer up a selection of products that are tough to go wrong with – the Titebond glues are great, you’ll have a hard time going wrong here.

Yellow glue is also fantastic, and has a deserved cult-like following. If you’re looking at epoxy, and trying to find a winner in that category, System Three makes the best products for my money.