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STEEL BED KIT Reviews & Ratings

What is STEEL BED? Simply the most-advanced, toughest- ever bedding and stabilizing, steel-bearing, epoxy compound for wood and fiberglass gun stocks. Designed specifically for GUNS, to give the incredible impact resistance that’s possible only by surrounding the action with a layer of solid, never-rust stainless steel and the skin-tight, epoxy-matrix fit so vital for superb accuracy. Through a unique blending process, there’s actually more stainless steel (by weight) than epoxy in STEEL BED - 2½ times more steel than in competitive products. STEEL BED shrinks less than 1⁄10 of 1% and won’t compress, crumble or “sugar” under the most punishing magnum or semi- auto recoil. Fiberglass stockmakers use it to support the recoil lugs of their lightweight mountain rifles; military armorers and civilian shooters use it under the most grueling conditions without breakdown or deterioration. We tested and abused STEEL BED every way possible and, once we were convinced of its amazing superiority, test samples went to armorers, gunsmiths and competitive shooters. They tested STEEL BED in “real life” situations - it met and exceeded every demand made of it! No cracking, crazing or “sugaring”. Group sizes got smaller. All the guns tested - semi-auto, 1000 yard, bolt-action match rifles, benchrest guns and hunting rifles - performed better after bedding with STEEL BED. Because of the extremely high stainless steel content, it’s tough to dye STEEL BED to match wood tones but, our latest dyes are so powerful that you can get a useable brown color for wood stocks and a very good black for synthetics. Another choice is to paint the STEEL BED along with the synthetic stock. If you want the best possible color match on a wood stock, you can use STEEL BED for recoil lugs and pillar bedding and ACRAGLAS® or ACRAGLAS GEL® (which are more easily dyed) in those places where the bedding will be visible. STEEL BED really is the ultimate, steel-bearing bedding compound. Besides being incredibly strong and tough, it’s very easy to use. The mixing ratio is a simple, 1-part Resin to 1-part Hardener, by volume, and the creamy, no-run texture means STEEL BED will stay where it’s put. STEEL BED KIT - (1) 1½ fl. oz. (44 ml) net contents jar Resin; (1) 1½ fl. oz. (44 ml) net contents jar Hardener; (1) 7/8 oz. (26 ml) net contents jar Acraglas Non-Flammable™ Release Agent; (1) Measuring Spoon, (1) Re-useable Poly Mixing Dish, (2) Mixing Sticks (1) Brown Dye Pak, (1) Black Dye Pak and (2) Release Agent Applicators; Instructions. STEEL BED SHOP KIT - (1) 8 fl. oz. (237 ml) net contents jar Resin; (1) 8 fl. oz. (237 ml) net contents jar Hardener; (1) 3 oz. (88.7 ml) net contents jar Acraglas Non-Flammable™ Release Agent; (1) Measuring Spoon Set, (5) Re-useable Poly Mixing Dishes, (25) Mixing Sticks (5) Brown Dye Paks, (5) Black Dye and (25) Release Agent Applicators; Instructions.

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Reviews Summary

Steel Bed Kit receives mixed reviews. Users praise its strong performance and ease of use, especially for heavy recoiling rifles. However, challenges with color matching and inconsistent mixing issues were common. While many found it superior to competitors like Acra Glas, some had negative experiences with curing and application. Overall, it’s seen as a reliable option for serious gun enthusiasts.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Product Performance

75%

Users frequently commend the performance of Steel Bed Kit, especially when used for heavy recoiling rifles. It is noted for its strength and ability to fill voids effectively, contributing to improved accuracy. However, experiences may vary, with some users facing challenges in achieving consistent results.

Ease of Use

65%

While many reviewers find the Steel Bed Kit easy to work with, there are considerations to keep in mind, such as curing times and mixing techniques. Proper preparation and following instructions can lead to better outcomes, but some users reported difficulties with application, especially in tight spaces.

Color Matching

60%

A recurring theme is the struggle to effectively color match the Steel Bed Kit. Users reported that the product tends to set a gray color that is challenging to dye or customize, particularly for aesthetic purposes. This limitation is significant enough to be a deciding factor for some potential buyers.

Mixing Issues

50%

Several reviews highlight issues with mixing, where the components can become thick or inconsistent, leading to negative results. Users stress the importance of thorough mixing and specific environmental conditions to achieve the desired consistency before application.

Value for Money

55%

Many users find the Steel Bed Kit to be a worthwhile investment, especially when considering the quantity received compared to other kits. The ability to bed multiple rifles per kit contributes to its perceived value, although it is priced higher than some competitors.

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I like it

I like it. Not the easiest stuff to use but you can't beat the results. You have to trim it and shape it soon after it sets up like the next days. When it's fully cured it's hard as a rock. The major con is it's gray and you can't color it to match wood. Much better than Acra Glas. Epoxy bedding seems to deteriorate after 20 years or so, not Steel Bed. I like Acra Glas for repairs, Steel Bed is thicker and It is rather expensive.

by PAUL S. on August 23, 2023

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Get this instead of the all in one kit

I used this to finish a bedding job when the original kit ran out. A few things: get this instead of the kit. Use an old set of measuring spoons and an old plastic container you wont mind throwing away, as well as a bunch of popsicle sticks for mixing. Second, do the bedding well above 70 Fahrenheit; the resin/harsher mix is too stiff otherwise and takes a lot longer to cure. Third, for the amount you get, youll save the $50 getting the 8 ounce kit instead of the 1.25 ounce all-in-one kit. I cant complain about the 8 ounce kit, though the steel-bed does leave some voids that I have to fill in during sanding. Otherwise, its a great kit. The dye kits dont do that great of a job in coloring the bedding material; it leaves a brown-gray or green-gray look. Ill have enough bedding compound left over from this job to do a lot more rifles and will probably go bad before I can use it all.

Great product

One of the best bedding products out there for heavy recoiling rifles. Used properly, it is easy to use with no running or dripping. I would have given it 5 stars, but for the fact that it is very difficult to match colors. The high metal count prevents the dye from being effective. But if you can live with black, it is great! Its also a very good value, as I can do at least 6 guns per kit. Overall, a very good product.

Good stuff - but it sets up quickley

Good product, just be careful because it will set faster than the instructions say - I almost had a big accident (mechanical lock) but was able to recover. I will use it again, but will not let it set as long as the instructions call for before smoothing removing the excess.

This is the good stuff

I have at least 7 different kinds of epoxy to choose from in my shop, but I consider this to be the good stuff. It isn't as easy to color match as Acra Glass (other than black), but it mixes smooth and consistent, and is just the right consistency for bedding. Thin enough to work into nooks and crannies with a tooth-pick, but thick enough to stay put. The cured hardness and strength are UNBELIEVABLE! Steel Bed takes the beating that only the really obnoxious calibers can dish out. This stuff would clearly be great in all kinds of repairs, including household, automotive, and industrial. I like it better than even Devcon, but since it costs 6x more than Devcon, I think that I'll reserve it for bedding the really big magnums, and use Devcon and Acra products for everything else.

Tough and Reliable.

Used Steel-Bed on the last three custom varmint rifles I stocked. Two Remington's and one Savage Precision Target Action. It's consistency is between Devcon Aluminum Putty and Liquid. The material takes a bit longer to mix than some products to obtain a color match, but produces a hard glass smooth uniform color surface when properly mixed. It also worked well in adhering aluminum pillars. Rifles equipped with laminated wood stocks bedded in Steel-Bed have taken hundreds of varmints, without any shifting of zero or loss of accuracy. I just ordered another Steel-Bed kit for a new stock, confident that it will perform.

Great compound

This stuff is great; a little harder to get into tight places that glass but super strong and stable; shouldn't crack and sugar like glass. I used it on a Weatherby Mark V 300 Weatherby mag and with my handloads I am shooting a .423" group. The steel bed accounting for about half of that with Weatherby's sub par composite stocks that lack the aluminum bedding. I will use this on all my weapons from now on.

this is good stuff

I used this to bed some mauser actions that i cut and turned into short actions, bedded in featherweight stocks and was super impressed with how easy that it was to work with. Make sure you clean it up qiickly if you have any errant spots,just as easy to work with as acra-glass.