stemhead fitting

[Ardenfour]

The stemhead fitting of my boat, presently removed, does not fit the profile of the stem very well, and there are gaps between the stainless and grp of up to 5mm at places. If I mix up an epoxy filler, locate the fitting in it's correct position without fully tightening it down, how do I ensure the epoxy doesn't bond to the metal, allowing future removal?
And should the epoxy mix contain the fibres or the baloons, or whatever else?

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Use the microfibres for strength, balloons if you want to be able to sand it down. As you're mainly interested in gap filling I suggest the balloons. To stop the epoxy sticking to the metal you can spray it with 2 or 3 coats of hair laquer (nick it off the memsahibs dressing table)

 

[Ardenfour]

Good tip andy, thanks for that

 

[oldsaltoz]

G'day Peter,

This is a high stress area and as such I would use epoxy and fibres mixed to a toothpaste consistency, spread plenty on and ensure no air is trapped.

Coat the underside of the fitting with any wax based polish and secure the fitting, all but fully tightened.

Remove all the mixture that is squeezed out as it's very hard to sand off after it cures, Acetone will wipe it clean, just don't have too much on the cloth or you will contaminate the mix.


Andavagoodeaster........

 

[cliff]

Ballons or fibres - your choice.
Anti stick - cling film. Cover teh bottom of your stemhead fitting with a couple of layers of cling film when bedding down into the epoxy mix.
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[kds]

I used 5 mm. square section bar around sides and bow, which I had welded below the plate edges.. This covers the gap and strengthens. Then you can use flexible sealer.
Ken

 

[sailorman]

If your "Bedding" in epoxy dont screw-down coz the screws wont ever come out again /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[Ardenfour]

thanks guys for all the help and advice