Michael Storer Boat Design 

Epoxy gluing endgrain in joints - plywood / scarfing / butts

Some Joint failures can be a result of the end grain timber absorbing too much epoxy out of the joint.

In many types of joins and in many boat building situations there is end grain being glued.  This is becoming more common with both modern construction methods and also because timber of good length is harder to source.  Some sort of joining to length is necessary.

The prevention of this takes very little time indeed, here the method is explained.  With epoxy the join does not need to be super accurate and if the sizing of the glue area is correct there is no need for extra fastenings except temporarily to hold things together while the glue sets up.

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Gluing Endgrain

Gluing timber end grain with epoxySee drawing of endgrain right..

The basic problem is that end grain is highly absorbent so it can steal the resin from the join leaving insufficient for good bonding.  The trick ... is to feed the end grain some mixed resin before the glue mix is put on

Remember that generally epoxy needs to have the correct powder modifier added to the mixed resin and hardener for most types of gluing.

When gluing endgrain with epoxy it is a two stage process.

1/ Mix enough resin and hardener to do the job. Stir well. Brush the mixed epoxy onto the endgrain.

2/ Wait 5 minutes.  This allows the epoxy to soak in.  Brush more epoxy on the endgrain. 

3/ Now add the high strength gluing powder to the epoxy in the container and apply to gluing surfaces.

4/ And hold in place by normal method - clamps or temporary fasteners or tape until the epoxy sets up.