[jephotog]

The tiller on my new boat is delaminated badly. All the layers of wood are separating. My plan is to pour glue in between the layers. Then clamp them tight and leave overnight. Sand then stain the exterior. Good as new I hope. Question is which glue, Tightbond III or Epoxy?

 

[bheintz]

If I were doing the job I'd use Epoxy (System 3, West System, MAS, etc.) without any filler. Then Sand and Varnish it.

 

[mitiempo]

The nice thing about epoxy is it leaves an invisible glue line. Uv will yellow it but only if it is not protected by varnish.
Brian

 

[jaschrumpf]

Don't clamp so tight that you squeeze all the glue from between the laminate. That will reduce the holding power.

 

[sailingfool]

Absolutely use Gorilla glue, its the perfect aplication for that glue. Wet the wood prior to application, then calmp tightly.

 

[poopdeckpappy]

I second Gorilla glue but make sure it's the polyurethane adhesive ( maple in color ) and NOT Gorilla Wood glue.

Also, Gorilla has a Epoxy now with gap filling capabilities but I haven't tried it yet

 

[midnightsailor]

I do alot of laminating and repairs such as this and prefer to use epoxy and cotten fibers added . Gorialla glue is convenient but expands alot and if you are not careful will get alot of squeeze out that hardens and you have to remove also , it tends to form air bubbles in it. I just use west expoxy or some simlar epoxy and first wet out the parts to be repaired with raw epoxy , then mix in a little cotten fiber filler( it really helps bonding when laminating wood together) , then clamp up and wipe off any squeeze out while it is still wet. As previously pointed out in prior post, do not clamp up too tight or you will squeeze all the expoxy out, just enough to firmly bring the pieces together. After it sets, lightly sand off the tiller and revarnish. Rick

 

[Stillraining]

OK ..I have a question for you gorilla glue fans...every time I have used it for a wet application the glue dissolves..whats up with that?

 

[mitiempo]

I sometimes use Elmer's Ultimate glue which I believe is a polyurethane based glue, and I think similar to Gorilla glue. It is available in both interior and exterior versions. The one I use is exterior, but not for immersion in water. While the instructions clearly state surfaces must be dry, clean and free of dirt, oil and old glue, it is a moisture curing glue and they say to wipe both surfaces with a damp cloth a minute before gluing. I have used this glue only on projects inside the boat and only if it will not be seen as the glue line is visible. It also expands upon curing and the expanded bubbly glue must be cleaned off after curing. Epoxy is waterproof and cleanup is easier the downside being having to mix 2 parts to start with.
Brian

 

[poopdeckpappy]

midnightsailor, I agree, it dose naturally expand; I use a blade once it gets that cream color and the squeeze out is easily removed; I have never had a joint or repair fail but, I have never compare it to your method either

Stillraining, I don't know how to answer that, there is a polyvinyl based that is water resistant but it's also water saluble making it easy to clean up with water, then there's the urethane polymer based that 100% waterproof; Also there's a 24hr/100% cure time.

I like the stuff, it's strong and like midnight said, it's convenient as in easy to store onboard

 

[roline]

Stick with the epoxy, moisture cured urethanes will foam to fill the void and puke out of the cracks,creating bubble air volume instead of being solid. I've used MAS epoxy when the local store quite selling the west system, I was upset at first, but have a fondness for the stuff after several projects. Soaks in enough to the grain to form a great interfacial bonding layer and the slow and medium cure without the blush. Epoxy coat the tiller and cover with a varnish or cetol on top for UV protection.
I used the Gorilla brand glue on a project with mixed results, went to use it again to find it cured in the container..... back to expoxy to stay. Good luck with your project,,, post the results for us to learn from.

 

[TSOJOURNER]

I used West Epoxy mixed with filler for my Alberg 30 delaminated tiller. Worked great. As a wood worker I have tried Gorilla Glue severl times with less than stellar results. I have used titebond III with good results.

 

[jephotog]

Epoxy it will be

I have used the Gorilla glue before with mixed results the dark stuff worked well in some of my woodworking projects. I used some of the clear stuff to try to reattach some laminated backsplash that was lifting up. It is nice that it dries white or clear, can't remember which but expansion was a problem.

I will use epoxy. I have 3 gallons of Raka epoxy set aside for a canoe building project. I will thicken it up with wood flower. The next hurdle is getting it into the cracks. Both ends of the rudder are intact. But every layer in the middle is splitting. I will see if I can split the layers or try injecting some glue into the layers and see what happens. I am not sure how well thickened epoxy will work with a syringe. I'll let you know.

 

[mitiempo]

If the epoxy is too thick to suck up into the syringe, load it from the back.
Brian