Epoxy Resin or Polyester Resin is a two-part mix with an epoxy base and a hardener; only a few drops of hardener are needed per 10 or so ounce of epoxy base. Epoxy Resin require proper mixing ratio and should be mixed in small amounts, larger amounts will generally set faster.

Material: Wood - Metal - Fiberglass

Good: Fairly easy to work with - Great for fiber glassing.

Bad: Will attack foam - Mixing amounts are critical - smells bad - dry time is slow.

Epoxy is a two-part mix with a 1 to 1 or 3 to 1 mix and much easier to work with then epoxy resins. Epoxy 1 to 1 mix comes in different pre-set hardening times, 5 - 10 - 15 - 20 minutes. It also comes in a finishing epoxy with is used for fiberglass, it’s much thinner so it’s able to soak into the fibers. The 5 - 10 - 15 - 20 minute epoxies are generally used to glue things together such as wood, plastics or foam and not for fiber glassing. There much to thick to be used for fiber glassing and will not soak into the fibers. The 3 to 1 mix epoxy is thinner and is great for fiber glassing, you can thicken it with Corbicil or Micro Balloons if needed.

Material: Wood - Plastic - Foam - Metal - Fiberglass

Good: Very easy to work with - Great for fiber glassing ( Finishing Epoxy only ) - Works great for gluing just about anything together.

Bad: Costs more.

Cyanoacrylate: The "CA" glues an great to work with but take a bit of getting used to because of there fast dry times. They can by applied to just about any application. Generally they come in three types.

Thick CA is well, thick. The thicker the CA the slower it dries, about 15 -20 seconds here. I personally don’t ever use this type CA. The only application really is when lamination pieces together, or gap filling. I will use an epoxy to the job instead.

Material: Wood - Metal - Plastic

Good: Very easy to work with - Good for laminating - Slow dry time.

Bad: Will attack foam - Smells bad - Short shelf life - Fogs up clear plastic - Slow dry time.

Medium CA is most commonly used. The dry time is about 10 -15 seconds and will work for just about any application. It also is thick enough for gap filling and beads along the edges for more strength. Use it in small amounts.

Material: Wood - Metal - Plastic

Good: Very easy to work with - Good for any application. - Quick dry time

Bad: Will attack foam - Smells bad - Short shelf life - Fogs up clear plastic - Quick dry time

Thin CA is great but takes some getting used to because it dries instantly. Use this for small items where you do not want any gap filling or beading. Use in very small amounts. Thin CA will also soak into wood from more strength or run along edges very nicely with little or no beading.

Good: Good for small items - Very quick dry time.

Bad: Will attack foam - Smells bad - Short shelf life - Fogs up clear plastic - Can be dangers stuff, will glue fingers together instantly - Very quick dry time

Other CA’s

Accelerator: Spray this on applied CA’s to dry faster, use in small mounts.

Thin CA non-fogging: Use this for clear plastics, it will not fog it up like regular CA’s.

Fine tip applicators are a must for small parts.

3M Adhesive spryer is great stuff when working with foam. When building a hull out of foam you can use this stuff to glue the foam sections together. Remember the strength does not come from the foam, instead it comes from the fiberglass, you simply need to hold things together before fiber glassing. 3M is quick, easy to work with and is very forgiving.

Material: Wood - Foam - plastic

Good: Good for laminating foam - Very easy to work with - Dries fast.

Bad: Strength is limited except in cogitation with fiberglass.