Acra-Weld
Have used it for years to repair stocks
Would you recommend this?
Yes, I would recommend to a friend
Great product. Very consistent results.
When starting a new cartridge, before putting the mixing tip on, it's important to slowly feed a little out of the cartridge until you see both sides feeding epoxy and hardener out. Then, you will get a proper ratio of epoxy to hardener when you put the mixing tip on.
Terrific adhesive but applicator is cost
This Acra-Weld is the very best epoxy adhesive for most any repair to any type firearm. It will bond broken stocks, adhere sights, ribs, etc and can be colored with the dyes. The applicator mixing tips are very wasteful and expensive since you lose a tip every time you use the epoxy. I highly recommend the Acra-Weld adhesive but not the mixing tips. Just dispense the epoxy out on a mixing pad and use the tongue depressors to mix and apply.
WELD IS AN APPROPRIATE DESCRIPTION
Acra-Weld has been used at Coles Gun Shop for many years (as long as I remember, helping at Coles for some 25 years until 2005). This product works. Due to it's thicker viscosity it is the best product for installing threaded-on muzzle breaks or compensator for pistols, etc. Once installed the comp will not come loose in normal shooting (Can personally attest to one pistol with a Clark Pin Master Comp installed with Acra-Weld on a 1911 pistol, having over 40,000 rounds fired through the pistol in five years). Some epoxy materials are very thin or viscous. Despite the best tooling, two sets of threads may not be a 'tight' fit; and the epoxy works best when it is able to 'Fill the Voids' for near 100% contact between the two threaded surfaces, something Acra-Weld does very well. Another must for anyone's epoxy, the surfaces where the epoxy is to be applied must be CLEAN; free of any oils, dirt, etc. which would affect adhesion. An Epoxy bonding on top of dirt has the Epoxy attached to the dirt, NOT the substrate below. Oily surfaces are worse regarding their affect on adhesion. Metal surfaces if all else fails, use xylene/xylol based solvents, xylene will absorb small traces of moisture on a surface, then when the solvent flashes, the solvent will take the moisture with it. NOTE: YOU MUST .... Use all normal precautions including GOOD ventilation when using solvents or any epoxy material, if in doubt, request MSDS sheet for the safe use of a product. This Particularly holds TRUE for getting the epoxy materials on your fingers or other parts of your body (noting words 'permanent' and 'epoxy bond'). #1- The product must be mixed in equal proportions,50/50 and mixed until the mixed material is uniform in color, using the mixing tubes go SLOW at start to ensure both sides dispensing equally. Also, as with most epoxy material's, when the two parts are mixed there is heat generated.. the larger the mass of epoxy the greater the heat, and the higher heat DOES shorten the 'dwell' or 'working time' for the Acra-Weld. The theoretical 2-3 minute version is only good for small jobs. Once mixed if the mixture sits as a mass/lump you may not get the full 2-minutes (spreading on plastic sheet or sandwich bag type material with a tooth pick, then using a stick to gather material prior to placing where it will be used. Use Care when going directly from the tubes to the job. Acra-weld must be thorough mixed (uniform color),, and often forgotten with epoxies is> #2- it is important that there should be a minute or two for the mixed Weld to 'Sweat-in' or the 'catalyzed process' has initialized ( A fast mix then on the project has two problems, first being the Acra-Weld may not be thoroughly mixed, and second the mixture may not have set long enough for the catalyzed process to have 'kicked in'). Contrary to one review, we never had any project not WELD using Acra-Weld. If the one catalyze side was left open which will ruin it's ability to catalyze the two parts.. OR if the mixture wasn't 50/50, normally within +/- 10% at most, particularly if low on the catalyze side then the Acra-Weld will not work.. no more than any product when mixing instructions are not followed Personally am not a fan of mixing tubes (have extra tubes) as once used they are done. If you have a project where a permanent long term bond is needed
Not Good for Long Storage
I like to keep a small supply on hand for quick repairs. The Acra-Weld I had on hand to do a small job had polymerized in the tube. It was sealed in the tube as received. Don't plan on keeping this product in reserve for any length of time. Customer Service needed the PO number before consideration of replacement.
Must have a bad batch
Used it as advised by the Brownell's customer service operator for the xs shotgun sight. The applicator worked so-so, not evenly mixing the epoxy. decided to manually mix the two-part epoxy. Three hours later, epoxy is still not setting at all. Even a test sample not setting in the paper cup. Not up to Brownell's quality. May have ruined my barrel.
