[SEL] SEL Digest, Vol 61, Issue 29

[Jerry Evans]

At 06:00 PM 29/04/2009, you wrote:
>Message: 7
>Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:48:47 -0400
>From: "Jim Hardman" <Jim at hardmanfamily.net>
>Subject: Re: [SEL] New epoxy product
>To: "The SEL email discussion list" <sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>
>
>Jerry, and all,
>Some epoxies will stand up to hot water,
><snip>
>Just because the fomulator says his product has "unlimited uses"
><another snip>
>For most engine applications, epoxies are acceptable choices for
>reconstruction where high temperatures are not expected.  Anything over the
>boiling point of water can be trouble for a lot of epoxies.  And the
>presence of water can compound the problem.
>
>This is not a blanket condemnation of epoxies for repairing water jackets.
>It is, however, a wake up call that all epoxies are NOT the same and that
>specialty compounds are generally available for most applications.  Do your
>homework and contact the maker for approval for your particular job.
><yet another snip>
>Jim in Vermont

Hi Jim,
         Many thanks for your input - please excuse the <snips's> above 
they are in no way meant as condemnation of your valued reply - just to 
make this reply easier to read and keep the list mail "uncluttered".
         You did supply very relevant answers to another "epoxy related" 
mail I sent to the list a year or so ago and, at that time it was also very 
good information. Thanks again.
         I posted this subject to the list as I thought that it would be of 
interest to the members.
         I, in no way, recommended (or otherwise) the product, I only 
mentioned that it was interesting. I have not used it (but have ordered 
some to "try"). I also mentioned that I had contacted the manufacturers for 
more details but this has not been forthcoming.
         My interest was sparked by the fact that a well respected local 
restorer had used the product and was impressed by it.
         Your comments were relevant but please consider that there may be 
other uses for the product where it is totally acceptable - I really liked 
the way he repaired that "flywheel" on the vintage wine press and also that 
small "cover" he made for an oil well. Neither of those uses involved 
"water" or "moisture" or to a lesser extent "temperature".
         Of course there are many "purists" in our ranks and to them, if 
it's not cast iron then it's "no good" or "not original" - in fact, to 
them, if it is not an original casting then it's also "no good" - I have no 
argument with them but not all of us can afford that kind of attitude.
         I agree totally with your statement "cut & pasted""Just because 
the fomulator says his product has "unlimited uses etc.". That's just 
advertising and very vague - I'd like to think that most of us would not 
fall for that. (Which is why I've asked for more specs and also ordered a 
pack to try.)
         There are a lot of statements in their advertising that are very 
vague as well as a lack of actual specifications, but the product does have 
some "possible uses" which is why I made the post in the first place.
         FWIW: I have my doubts about that water jacket repair to a small 
outboard engine but it's not up to me to judge - time will tell! (and yes, 
it's not original !!). What the heck, if it works and does pass the test of 
time then another vintage engine runs again even though a "purist" will not 
pay any bucks for it. I restore my engines for my own pleasure - not to 
sell to someone who has big bucks and if I have to use modern materials 
then so be it !

         Once again, I neither endorse nor condemn the product. I only 
posted it because I thought it would be of interest to the list. For all I 
know, the "hard metals" that they claim to be used as a filler (or was it 
dense metals?) could just be magnesium sweepings off the local beach ! :-)

Keep the revs up (or down)
Jerry Evans
Near Johannesburg in Sunny South Africa.
Etched Brass Engine Plates made to order:
<www.oldengine.org/members/evans/plates/index.htm>