Action bedding with Carbon particle epoxy?

[philip140]

Hi everyone, I have a Boyd’s laminate stock coming soon that I will be using to replace the tupperware stock on my Weatherby Vanguard .243.
Devcon, Marine-Tex and other popular bedding compounds are hard to source and expensive to buy in my neck of the woods here in Canada, so I am limited to JB Weld and slow cure epoxy mixed with short strand glass fibers, both of which I have had good luck with in the past. But I want to try something different.
So, I got to thinking, what if I used slow cure epoxy filled with Carbon/Graphite powder? This idea is not new since is has been used as a coating on boat hulls for impact and abrasion resistance before.
Am I on to something here or has this been tried before and failed? I'm sure I am not the first to think of this but I can't find any info on the web about using it for bedding purposes.
I don't know if it would have any benefit over steel particles, but I’m pretty sure it would have strength benefits over glass particles used in other glass bedding compounds just like carbon fiber is stronger than fiberglass.

Has anybody got and thoughts on this or know of anyone who has tried this before?

Thanks all.

Phil

 

[msnations]

there is a bit of difference in structure between carbon based materials. graphite is arranged in planes that are only losely held together...which is why it is a superior lubricant but wouldn't work well for your application.Short cut carbon fiber would work just the same as glass fibers. Keep in mind carbon fiber particulates are very abrasive and might mark the finish on an action if you get fine dust into the epoxy...

-Mark

 

[philip140]

Yes, what I have is powdered carbon rather than powdered graphite, sorry. I don't think I could get hold of carbon fibers, I would rather that to be honest as it would probably be stronger as well as looking pretty good!

Phil

 

[tunered]

Go with the JB Weld, the only reason its not reccomended is because you can buy it anywhere, its good stuff. ed

 

[Stonewall]

Try emailing http://robertsoncomposites.com/

Glenn ;D

 

[w123driver]

JB weld and Devcon in squeeze tube packaging (not Devcon 1Lb putty) are identical compound, just marketed by different companies. I use JB weld for pillar epoxying (I do pillars and bedding separately) and it works just fine. Does not shrink and hardens to rock solid. The only reason I use Devcon putty for bedding because it is has very high viscosity and wont creep. I used marine tex and it is great stuff, but for in my opinion Devcon putty is the best. I think pillars are not even needed with Devcon bedding.

 

[Larryh128]

I is amazing to me how many guys including myself use J-B weld for bedding & you never hear anything about it except in forums. : I was told years ago that "J-B is no good for bedding-too hard" . I've got a bunch of rifles that would disagree. ;D

 

[whiskey08]

score hi gunsmithing has a compound with carbon fiber, he's bedded to stocks for me. So far no chips or any other damage

http://www.scorehi.com/

 

[philip140]

Thanks guys, I appreciae the advice, I think I'll stick with the JB Weld then, but I'm still thinking of adding some fine carbon powder to darken the colour and create a thicker compound since I remember JB Weld being quite runny. Is this a bad idea?

 

[RonAKA]

I think carbon particles will do nothing for strength. You need fiber or cloth. If you want dark, then I would get some Devcon Plastic Steel Putty. Try this link below, and put your postal code in the Distributor Search bar.

http://www.devcon.com/

http://www.devcon.com/prodfiles/pdfs/fam_tds_101.pdf

It would be better to include a layer of fiberglass cloth if you want to improve strength.