Cork Rings

[Korn Dunker]

What do y'all use to glue up cork rings. I am replacing the cork on my wading staff. The dog enjoyed the old cork very much!

[GonetoSeed]

I use U40 Rod Bond. I like it because it is a paste epoxy and not as messy. Any good 2 ton will work. The key is to not use too much. I apply across the full face of the ring and then scape it off with a plastic card, leaving a just wet looking film.

Some builds are using the polyurethane glues (Gorilla,etc) and like the bonding but you have to deal with the foaming. Also, I've heard that some builders are using Titebond 3 and having good results.

[mmarkey]

I use U40 also. But I devised a really simple cork press.

I took a 1/4 inch threaded rod and wrapped it with Teflon Plumbing Tape. Then glued up my cork and applied pressure with a washer and nut on both ends. The teflon keeps the epoxy fromsticking to the threaded rod. Just breaks free easily when it's cured.

Worked For me.

[Korn Dunker]

I'll try it.

[Ivan]

Avalable locally. Weldwood plastic epoxy resin.

[GUTHOOKED]

Titebond III has been working well for me. It doesn't seem to leave as noticeable of a line as epoxy sometimes can.

MM - I use the same setup for clamping rings, but I never thought of the teflon tape. Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely have to try that.

[GonetoSeed]

Neat idea with the Teflon tape. I've been using parrafin and I'm going to switch. Thanks.

[Robert Hicks]

While we are on the topic.... I have been playing around with slicing rings down. I'm looking for a glue that will leave a nice little "glue line" between rings...to show them off, I guess you could say. I have tried the titebond for dark wood, tried mixing food coloring in with it....and just can't get a good glue line. Anyone have a clue? I have heard that you can use some sort of red oxide mixed in the glue....Haven't tried it yet.

[GonetoSeed]

Golden Witch sells a pigment that darkens the glue line. The last time I was on their site they had a picture of a grip in progress. You can also let Testors model paint set and pour off the solvent keeping the pigments in the bottom of the bottle. The pigments that are used to color fiberglass gel coat (available at Boat US) will also work to darken/color the epoxy. Mix up the epoxy and use a tooth pick or similiar to add pigment until you get the color darkeness you want and then apply the epoxy as normal.

I've also used dark mahagony (sp?) stain to stain the faces of the sliced rings. I rubbed it on and then wiped the excess off so that just the face was dark. The glue line doesn't show, but you get a very thin, but distinctive line where the faces of the rings come together.

How are you slicing? Are you using a jig? I have done mine free-hand on the lathe and some of them turn out with slightly different thicknesses on the same ring. One side is 1/8 the other 3/64 or so. It wasn't much of a problem until I made the glue lines noticeable.

[GUTHOOKED]

http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/photopost/data/500/8430MVC-002F-med.JPG

[GonetoSeed]

Thanks Danny.

[Robert Hicks]

I'm using a jig...It's pretty much the same as the one that GW sales. I'm using a small bandsaw with a 14tpi blade. (I think it's 14 anyway) I had a blade with less teeth but it was ripping he cork too much. I'm not getting an even cut on my rings either, so I may ditch the bandsaw and try something like Danny has there. Testors pint....hmmmm now the color options are endless ;)