Loctite 5-minute epoxy—a cautionary note

[Crazyraceguy]

I generally prefer to mix my own. Not only does it eliminate the moldy or dried up in the can thing, it hardens in a more intentional way. Chemical reaction, rather than simple evaporation. You can get it with different curing times too, where a bigger job might require more time.
The really quick stuff it almost like working with bodyfiller. It can harden right on the mixing board, if you are too slow.  [unsure]

 

[Packard]

My father once said to me (with no apologies made to George Patton), “Even a dog can learn not to jump up on the stove after he burned his paws the first time. But a wise man learns from other peoples’ mistakes, not from his own.”

I was just offering up my mistake so that others won’t make that same one.

When I went shopping for epoxy, I was hoping to find some “30 minute” version.  Lowes did not have it, nor did Home Depot, nor Amazon.  So I don’t know where that is anymore.  But since the 5 minute version carried a warning that it took 24 hours to achieve full strength, I suspect they are rating the epoxies differently. 

The big advantage of epoxy is that it will cure in the absence of air.  So gluing into deep pockets will cure just fine.  I have found that not to be the case with silicone or styrene based adhesives.  The deep pockets can take huge amounts of time to cure.  Almost as long as an opened, then closed tube of those adhesives. 

As a side note, epoxy is not listed as “waterproof”.  That because part of that definition requires that the “waterproof” glue resist hot water as well as cold.  So if your application is exposed to water that is well below boiling, it is, in effect “waterproof”. 

 

[cdconey]

I followed the directions and removed the tip after using and sealed it with the supplied cap.

My point was that this system probably does not suit most consumer applications. 

If you think you will use all the adhesive in one or two instances, then it is very handy.  Otherwise, a 2-tube arrangement with hardener mixed externally will be more economical.

If you only need a small amount, why even use the tips?  Why not just squeeze some out on cardboard, mix, & apply?  You probably waste more in the tip than the amount you use.

I'm not a fan of the mixing tips unless I have a lot of epoxy to mix to fill holes or set anchors in concrete/masonry. 

 

[woodferret]

My father once said to me (with no apologies made to George Patton), “Even a dog can learn not to jump up on the stove after he burned his paws the first time. But a wise man learns from other peoples’ mistakes, not from his own.”

I was just offering up my mistake so that others won’t make that same one.

Not really.  Your original post was a weird swipe at why the mixer existed and consumer 'noobs'.  I and others have explained why.  Don't paint yourself the victim.

This is basically the gallon glue thread that appears all over woodworking forums.  "Only DIY newbies buy 6oz bottles!" with the users chiming in with "Shelf Life!" and then those that respond with "I've been using my 10 yr old glue bottle just fine!"

A wise man not just learns from others' mistakes, but they take the time to understand why it is a mistake and when it is not really one.

 

[Coen]

I don't really see the problem here. It's just the same as with caulk; if you use it once in a while... either get the tips with a cap or remove the tip and cap the tube itself. Single-compound caulk is mostly sold with 1 tip too. Different jobs might require differently cut-off tips. The tips are sold separately, so it's not a real problem. If they were to supply more tips, most people won't use them anyway, causing just more waste.

I just have most caulk-related stuff in a Systainer; tips with cap, XXL-length tips, tube caps, 45 degree elbows, tube cutter, 18V caulk gun  [tongue]

Loctite 401 is a single compound, and after opening it... it will harden too. That's why you either save up all broken stuff at home or take it to work to more efficiently use the under-used bottle at work, consistent with the corporate environmental goals.  [tongue]

 

[Packard]

My father once said to me (with no apologies made to George Patton), “Even a dog can learn not to jump up on the stove after he burned his paws the first time. But a wise man learns from other peoples’ mistakes, not from his own.”

I was just offering up my mistake so that others won’t make that same one.

Not really.  Your original post was a weird swipe at why the mixer existed and consumer 'noobs'.  I and others have explained why.  Don't paint yourself the victim.

This is basically the gallon glue thread that appears all over woodworking forums.  "Only DIY newbies buy 6oz bottles!" with the users chiming in with "Shelf Life!" and then those that respond with "I've been using my 10 yr old glue bottle just fine!"

A wise man not just learns from others' mistakes, but they take the time to understand why it is a mistake and when it is not really one.

I just re-read my original post.  I think you are mischaracterizing my post.  I clearly stated that the adhesive worked fine. 

My error in purchasing this epoxy was that no matter how little you use for each application, you only get to use it twice with the included mixing tubes.

For what I intended to use if for, this was a poor choice of adhesives.  I was pointing that out to others for consideration when they purchase epoxy.

The mixing tubes are faster and easier than measuring out the epoxy and the hardener and mixing it on a throw away hard hard surface. 

If I need a large amount of epoxy for a single or two applications, then I would buy this again.  But for smaller jobs, the old fashioned 2-tube version is more economical.