Help please... Gluing EPS

[SUPerb]

Hello folks

I want to start building/ shaping an EPS core 14 footer but i cant seem to find a block 14 feet long locally. What they have available is 2 meters long.

My question is can i have them glue two blocks together then cut from the blank the desired shape??

Im guessing its not a good idea... has it been done? What do u guys think?

Thanx in advance

Zane...

[TallDude]

They do it all the time with the unlimited race boards. My board was CNC'd in two pieces because usually the CNC machines that can do a stringerless 1# foam board accurately, only go to 12'. They did a 12' section and a 7' section then did mitered cuts, and glued it together. They built a miter box just for splicing longer boards together. There are CNC machines that will do a longer board, but without a stringer and such light foam, they have a problem keeping it stable while it's being cut. I hear that 'Gorilla Glue' is what a lot of people use. If you are hand shaping it, I would glue it together first.

[SUPerb]

Ah ok thats good news thanx for the input!

So yes i am hand shaping it... shall i do a scarf joint or just a butt joint to join the two lengths together?

[aircube]

The gorilla glue is stronger than the foam, so i don't think it matters much.  I used a permanant spray on foam glue and it holds great.

[lazymodo]

If you use gorilla glue it gets a little tricky to shape around the glue joint. Another option would be epoxy thickened with cabosil. Make it really thick like peanut butter, until its almost dry.This tends to be a little softer and easier to shape.
Tall dude where do you get your boards cut?

[SUPerb]

Is cabosil something like the white silcate powder?
well i have both the epoxy route and gorilla glue... so ill see what i decide to use.

Alright so ill go ahead and order another 2 meter block and glue it to the one i have!

Ill take your word

Thanx fellaz...

[Dwight (DW)]

Gorilla Glue works great. The planer shapes it without any issue. Cab-o-sil would not be shape-able. You'd be screwed if you use epoxy and any filler.

Gorilla Glue only messes you up a tiny bit when rail shaping with a screen. Otherwise no big deal.

[SwellHunter]

Haven't tried it yet but I just picked up the large tube of weldbond at michaels. It lists Styrofoam on the back. Might do a test panel tonight, I'll post the results if I do.  I glued my first and only board with epoxy micro-balloon mixture and a strip of 3" 6oz tape down the center for a springer and a bit of extra strength. If you do this make sure the glass is inside where you'll sand, heard its a pain to shape if it does. Other glues that I've "heard" work are gorilla white and roo glue.

Hunter

[TallDude]

Hey Lazymodo,
Brian at ProCAM cut my unlimited board. Brian just always does a clean job, and the boards only need a little detail sanding when he's done. He uses Shape3D, and can use different file types as well.  ProCAM, Huntington Beach, CA 92649, (brian.lindsey@procam.us)
 If you go to Shape3D's site, it lists everyone who has one of their CNC machines. There might be one in your area.

TD

[CMC]

Not sure what Gorilla Glue is but you want to use an expanding polyurethane.  Just dont use too much as it will push the join apart.

[aircube]

Gorilla glue is a one part moisture activated polyurethane glue.  It foams and expands much like a two part PU foam, but is denser and stronger.  Don't get it on anything other than what you are gluing, its pretty sticky/messy.

[createinquiry]

Not trying to correct, just trying to learn...

I was under the impression that you wanted to use the white gorilla glue (not the woodworkers white) with the EPS, as opposed to the standard brown polyurethane gorilla glue.

Will both of them work with EPS?

[Absolutetrip]

I use the brown gorilla glue works great but does not hotwire easy though.

[Dwight (DW)]

I use the brown gorilla glue works great but does not hotwire easy though.

Ron,

It didn't slow my hotwire down at all. But I did do a super light coat.

[lazymodo]

Hey it worked for me .No screwing either. And being that gorilla glue costs about 3 times as much as epoxy, ,,,,,,,,,,GG 36 oz. =$26 .Resinresearch 128oz= $77.