Advice on Gluing Iroko

[Adrian]

I’m making an Iroko cockpit grating and need to “Glue and Screw”, I’ve heard that I need to use a special waterproof glue because of the oil in the wood, can anyone recommend a glue and advise on any special preparation I need to make.

Thanks

Adrian

 

[Strathglass]

I have been using epoxy to glue iroko for many years. I usually coat both sides with neat epoxy and then immediately bond them using a thin epoxy / silica / microfibres or other mixture depending on application. I also now use polyurethene glue ( Screwfix ) for all non structural applications.

 

[Gaffer]

I would use an epoxy adhesive such as West. Buy the dispensing pumps which go in the appropriate containers and exactly the correct quantity of adhesive and hardner will be used. It is costly in the first place but they should last for years.
As far as preparation is concerned, swab the areas to be glued with something which will remove the oil from the wood, White spirit or thinners No. 3 would do it. Acetone would also do if you have any. Make sure whatever you do use is fully flashed off before you apply the adhesive. Once the two parts of the adhesive have been fully mixed, apply it to both sides of the area with a small paint brush. If by any chance your carpentry is not perfect, some colloidal silica can be added to the epoxy to fill any gaps, but be very carefull not to breathe any of the colloidal sillica dust.

 

[Guest]

I have used Bolcotan polyurathane and had no probelms above or below water line, and it is a lot less messy than epoxy plus it is a 'one part' just poor ot of the pot and clamp, works on damp wood as well. Although it is recomended to clean oily woods with white spirit I havn't found much iroko oily enough to need it, depends on the stock.
(bolcotan is available through Robins timber if you cant get it locally but the postage is nearly as much as the glue!)

Roly, Voya Con Dios, Glasson, Lancaster http://www.voya.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk//MW1/Intropage.htm