I was using West System long before any of the others came along. The manuals, range of products to fit every situation, and well designed tools have all served me well. No matter what the situation, the epoxy has never failed. I know some of the alternatives are cheaper, but with this history of success, why would I change?
West System for decades. Pumps are great, easy to use. Wonderful technical bulletins. All kinds of choices for hardners and add ins. I guess it’s pricey but I’ve never used huge quantities so it wasn’t an issue.
I've used West System and MAS. I like the fact the MAS has less blush - at least in my experience. That said, for the same reason I also like the clear 207 hardener with the 105 system.
I was introduced to MAS epoxy via my CLC Skerry kit. Simple to use and trouble free. Works well in the warm Florida climate , where I have had other brands kick early (I only ever use slow here)
I have been using West System since it came out. I am reluctant to experiment and have a failure with something else. There are some less expensive alternatives, but the cost of materials is far less than the cost of labor, so why compromise.
I have used MAS (once), System3. and WEST. One of my frequent uses is to make quick curing putty out of epoxy and wood sanding dust. When cured it sands and carves well. Also, the wood flour in the mix makes a repair take clear finishes and stains about as well as you could hope for.The main complaint I have about all epoxies is that they are extremely runny, and seek out ways to find crevices and holes they way honey does on toast. I have learned to wear latex or vinyl gloves, but the stuff still makes a mess.
I used a slow curing epoxy (don't remember which brand) to harden the ends of kayak paddle blades. I did this by making a cardboard pocket or sleeve, filling it with a slow-cure epoxy, and immersing the blade(s) with the paddle held vertically. When cured, the excess then sanded and ground to restore shape of the blade. I did not reinforce with glass, as it always wears away at the edge way too soon, and adds unwanted weight. Idea came from the promo ads for "Git Rot," which promises to make wood as tough as a screwdriver handle. And thus it seems to do.
So far these paddle blades have withstood the usual fending off the bottom and various rocks with virtually no sign of wear or damage.
Aqua Set. Probably not available much outside of the Vancouver/ Lower Mainland area. Non critical 2-1 mix. Bit of moisture is okay and colder temps are fine down to 2C. And, it’s less expensive than most. Served me well over the years.
Also used a lot of Eco poxy in the past. Bit of an industrial product made in Manitoba. Excellent results with that one but haven’t seen it promoted in a while.
M.A.S because I could buy on sale . It has worked out well though . I can’t say anything negative . I have used West system which was a positive experience too
I've been using System 3's Silvertip products for years. Excellent non-blushing epoxy with good technical support. It's never failed me on boat after boat.
WEST are the guys who started the epoxy boatbuilding trend, have done a huge amount of research and testing, know their stuff and are extremely good at supporting their users all the way from their book on boatbuilding to prompt answers to queries. I like the product, have been using it since the 1970s with no failures, find that its tolerant of temperature and mix ratio, is readily available where I live and I'll stick with it, so to speak.
I have used the first three. West is hard to use and overpriced. It is old technology. S3 is the best but also overpriced. RAKA is cheap like me so I use it. But I am intrigued by the Epoxy King SC110 mentioned by Paul Howard in an earlier comment. Being slow, made in Texas, and containing UV inhibitors, I would bet money that it is the same as the DWX that Duckworks used to sell. That long pot life really does help in hot, Texas weather.
I was using West System long before any of the others came along. The manuals, range of products to fit every situation, and well designed tools have all served me well. No matter what the situation, the epoxy has never failed. I know some of the alternatives are cheaper, but with this history of success, why would I change?
West System for decades. Pumps are great, easy to use. Wonderful technical bulletins. All kinds of choices for hardners and add ins. I guess it’s pricey but I’ve never used huge quantities so it wasn’t an issue.
West System developed by superb boatbuilders Gougeons for other boatbuilders Excellent backup and technical advice you can trust
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System Three is relativly local, and has given me good support.
I've used West System and MAS. I like the fact the MAS has less blush - at least in my experience. That said, for the same reason I also like the clear 207 hardener with the 105 system.
I love the smell.
I was introduced to MAS epoxy via my CLC Skerry kit. Simple to use and trouble free. Works well in the warm Florida climate , where I have had other brands kick early (I only ever use slow here)
I have been using West System since it came out. I am reluctant to experiment and have a failure with something else. There are some less expensive alternatives, but the cost of materials is far less than the cost of labor, so why compromise.
I have used MAS (once), System3. and WEST. One of my frequent uses is to make quick curing putty out of epoxy and wood sanding dust. When cured it sands and carves well. Also, the wood flour in the mix makes a repair take clear finishes and stains about as well as you could hope for.The main complaint I have about all epoxies is that they are extremely runny, and seek out ways to find crevices and holes they way honey does on toast. I have learned to wear latex or vinyl gloves, but the stuff still makes a mess.
I used a slow curing epoxy (don't remember which brand) to harden the ends of kayak paddle blades. I did this by making a cardboard pocket or sleeve, filling it with a slow-cure epoxy, and immersing the blade(s) with the paddle held vertically. When cured, the excess then sanded and ground to restore shape of the blade. I did not reinforce with glass, as it always wears away at the edge way too soon, and adds unwanted weight. Idea came from the promo ads for "Git Rot," which promises to make wood as tough as a screwdriver handle. And thus it seems to do.
So far these paddle blades have withstood the usual fending off the bottom and various rocks with virtually no sign of wear or damage.
CLC. Kit boats recommended MAS epoxy so I got familiar with their products
I was very pleased with the results.
Aqua Set. Probably not available much outside of the Vancouver/ Lower Mainland area. Non critical 2-1 mix. Bit of moisture is okay and colder temps are fine down to 2C. And, it’s less expensive than most. Served me well over the years.
Also used a lot of Eco poxy in the past. Bit of an industrial product made in Manitoba. Excellent results with that one but haven’t seen it promoted in a while.
M.A.S because I could buy on sale . It has worked out well though . I can’t say anything negative . I have used West system which was a positive experience too
I've been using System 3's Silvertip products for years. Excellent non-blushing epoxy with good technical support. It's never failed me on boat after boat.
I now use West Epoxy, here in Ireland the alternative is Gurit which has very strong odors compared to West system.
WEST are the guys who started the epoxy boatbuilding trend, have done a huge amount of research and testing, know their stuff and are extremely good at supporting their users all the way from their book on boatbuilding to prompt answers to queries. I like the product, have been using it since the 1970s with no failures, find that its tolerant of temperature and mix ratio, is readily available where I live and I'll stick with it, so to speak.
I have used the first three. West is hard to use and overpriced. It is old technology. S3 is the best but also overpriced. RAKA is cheap like me so I use it. But I am intrigued by the Epoxy King SC110 mentioned by Paul Howard in an earlier comment. Being slow, made in Texas, and containing UV inhibitors, I would bet money that it is the same as the DWX that Duckworks used to sell. That long pot life really does help in hot, Texas weather.