Old Devcon 10110

[itchyTF]

Wasn't sure where to put this or if it was even worth it to anyone. Anyway, I'm slowly putting together an AR10 (DPMS version) and wanted to check alignment of bolt raceway and buffer tube. So, I made a dual diameter aluminum rod to do just that (gotta use the lathe for something!). They lined up fairly well but noticed a little side slop and maybe a little up/down in the cavity for the rear lug. I thought why not bed that using the alignment bar to keep everything true. What to use? I have some old Devcon I thought I'd check out. Both the resin and hardener were like natural peanut butter without the oil mixed in! Checked the date - use by 2/2013! Heck, it's only 8 years past due. Thought I'd mix up a test sample. It was thick. The hardener was a little thinner than the resin so when mixed it was a little better but still quite thick. Unfortunately I don't remember how thick it was when it was new. Anyway it still cured hard as a rock. Looks like I'll be attempting to bed that area of the AR. Don't know if it will accomplish anything but what the heck!

 

[Big Mc]

Wasn't sure where to put this or if it was even worth it to anyone. Anyway, I'm slowly putting together an AR10 (DPMS version) and wanted to check alignment of bolt raceway and buffer tube. So, I made a dual diameter aluminum rod to do just that (gotta use the lathe for something!). They lined up fairly well but noticed a little side slop and maybe a little up/down in the cavity for the rear lug. I thought why not bed that using the alignment bar to keep everything true. What to use? I have some old Devcon I thought I'd check out. Both the resin and hardener were like natural peanut butter without the oil mixed in! Checked the date - use by 2/2013! Heck, it's only 8 years past due. Thought I'd mix up a test sample. It was thick. The hardener was a little thinner than the resin so when mixed it was a little better but still quite thick. Unfortunately I don't remember how thick it was when it was new. Anyway it still cured hard as a rock. Looks like I'll be attempting to bed that area of the AR. Don't know if it will accomplish anything but what the heck!

8 years hell it is like new. I have some I bought in 1977. Still works. Just my two cents. Tommy Mc I time stamp everything

 

[DiffEQ]

Cold Devcon is like taffy.
I keep mine in the garage.
I thought the same of mine and bought some new to bed a rifle.
Both old and new sat overnight before I mixed the bedding, and the new jars were just as hard to work with as the old!
Wife likes the house at 75°F, so I'll bring the Devcon in the day before and use it warm. Even with the epoxy warmed, a cold block of Philly cream cheese is super soft by comparison.

 

[timeout]

Wasn't sure where to put this or if it was even worth it to anyone. Anyway, I'm slowly putting together an AR10 (DPMS version) and wanted to check alignment of bolt raceway and buffer tube. So, I made a dual diameter aluminum rod to do just that (gotta use the lathe for something!). They lined up fairly well but noticed a little side slop and maybe a little up/down in the cavity for the rear lug. I thought why not bed that using the alignment bar to keep everything true. What to use? I have some old Devcon I thought I'd check out. Both the resin and hardener were like natural peanut butter without the oil mixed in! Checked the date - use by 2/2013! Heck, it's only 8 years past due. Thought I'd mix up a test sample. It was thick. The hardener was a little thinner than the resin so when mixed it was a little better but still quite thick. Unfortunately I don't remember how thick it was when it was new. Anyway it still cured hard as a rock. Looks like I'll be attempting to bed that area of the AR. Don't know if it will accomplish anything but what the heck!

IME the older putty gets pretty stiff and more difficult to mix thoroughly but it still sets up correctly. You did the right thing to try a test mix first.

 

[divingin]

Try putting a bit of each (separately) in a container, and then into hottish water. That works for new stuff when it's too cold to flow. No guarantees with older epoxy though.

 

[hpshooter]

Try putting a bit of each (separately) in a container, and then into hottish water. That works for new stuff when it's too cold to flow. No guarantees with older epoxy though.

I put the resin and catalyst under a bench lamp with a 60 watt bulb in it to warm it to around 70 F.