Epoxy brand-name suggestions?

[Eight Thumbs]

Hi Folks,

I've finally used up the last of my now nameless bottles of epoxy on an army of Copper Johns that I've been tying for a couple of friends. Whatever brand I had was a 30-minute epoxy and it seemed relatively resistant to yellowing. What brand of epoxy are you guys using these days? I'm looking for an epoxy that is readily available, five to six dollars for a generous quantity and resistant to yellowing. Brand name suggestions are greatly appreciated. I am not looking to get into that blue-light acrylic stuff because of the expense. Much thanks in advance to all. 8T

[Normand]

devcon is a good brand

is the epoxy really necessary? fish aren't asking for it.

[TyroneFly]

I have been using devcon 5 minute epoxy and have been very happy with the results. I find the devcon 10 minute epoxy to be good as well, but prefer the 5 minute as it fits my needs.

[Uncle Jesse]

I use whatever Walmart or Big Lot has the best price on; I get the twin syringe type to get accurate mixing and it doesn't last long enough to yellow in the container or on the fly. The twin syringe is probably more expensive than other methods but the mix comes out right about everytime.

[herefishy]

I tried one of the single syringe epoxies and it wouldn't mix right, so stick with the two syringe type.

[James Smith]

I like the Devcon brand 60 minute epoxy best. I find that the longer curing epoxies seem to yellow less with age especially after curing and it gives me much more working time so I can get several flies out of one batch.

Jim Smith

[Buddy Sanders]

I've always had good luck with the Devcon.

Their 5 minute cures clearer, but it's less durable than the 30 minute stuff.

I'm having trouble finding the 2-ton in clear cure, which was their 30 minute stuff. All I find now says it cures a light amber (the old stuff had an amber cast to it after a few days, but the 'new' 30 minute is really yellowish).

For an alternative that cures absolutely clear, I've been using the 'Tripple Thick' one part acrylic gloss. Takes longer than 5 minute epoxy to cure, but is faster than the 30 minute stuff. Only 'problem' with it is that it will cause runing with some markers.

If you don't need fast curing time, the rod wrap finishing epoxies tend to be much clearer than the glues. I prefer these for coating flies like Myakka Minnows or balsa popper bodies.

And I'm with Normand...I don't use epoxy or anything else on a Copper John type fly anymore. Fish don't care.

Buddy

[mahanvey]

I'm with James on the 60 minute stuff... I'm just too slow for anything else. The 60 minute Devcon gives me time to mix it and let it set next to me while I tie up about a half dozen to put the epoxy to. Generally I'm too impatient to mix the epoxy last because I don't get it mixed well and it doesn't set up well... so this is the way I have to do it. Then my fly wheel is filled with hooks and drying all night and I'm happy the next day.

On another note: I have found that I have trouble with yellowing with most all brands of epoxy that cure in less than thirty minutes. The thirty minute Devcon is usable, but starts out a yellowish clear and stays that way. One hour Devcon is the only thing I use any more, mainly because of the clarity when it dries and the ability to get the bubbles out of it when applying.

[Gadams]

Epoxy substitute. A commercial tyer tipped me off to a product called "Allene's Fabric Fusion". It requires no mixing, dries clear, and is thicker than epoxy, so less care is required to keep it in place while curing. I have used it, with good results on Copper Johns, and have seen it used quite successfully on saltwater patterns. I would say it could be used wherever epoxy is specified. It is available in most craft and fabric stores for about 8 bucks for a good sized bottle.

[Eight Thumbs]

Thanks to all who replied and offered suggestions. This is exactly the information that I was looking for. I'm particularly concerned with the yellowing or "ambering" problem so I'll try to find either a 30 minute or 60 Devcon, Triple Thick or Allenes Fabric Fusion.

Norm and Buddy, I agree with you about avoiding epoxy whenever possible. When I tie for friends and/or profit, I try to stick with the original pattern and if the original pattern calls for epoxy, the flies get epoxy. When tying for my own use, I avoid the glue because it's not really necessary as you both pointed out.. In fact, I think there are lots of things on most flies that are not really necessary for the fish. I'm looking for a new epoxy source because I'm going to be tying some Clousers very soon and my experience has been that the eye/head area gets torn up very quickly without protection. Thanks again for you help 8T