Gunsmithing Best adhesive for scope base bedding?

[Mech45]

I have a Eliseo S1 tube gun I am working on. It only has two small 6-32 screws that hold the scope base on instead of the four on the standard base. So far this is the only thing I don't like about this kit. If I bed this base to the action with a good expoxy do you think it will keep from working loose? It is a SS Savage action and the mount is aluminum,what is the best adhesive to use for this? JB, marine tex, Devcon? Is a four hour cure time OK or do you get that much more strength from a 24hr cure? Thanks for the help!

Chris

 

[cdmurphy]

Re: Best adhesive for scope base bedding?

Epoxies are great in shear (parallel to the bond) but not that great in tension (trying to separate the bond). If you really need a decent bond, you need to mechanically roughen the surfaces to be bonded, ideally by sand blasting with a very coarse grit. Try to keep any possible oils off the surfaces, and then clean very will with something like brake cleaner to degrease them. After that, a quick rinse with acetone to remove any surface moisture right before you apply the epoxy. (Epoxy does not like water. Just a little on your surfaces will really weaken the bond. Try to find the slowest setting epoxy you can find, as generally the faster the crosslinking, the weaker it is.

- Cameron

 

[USMCj]

Re: Best adhesive for scope base bedding?

just clean the both surfaces with acetone, apply JB weld making sure non get intot he holes, and install the base. Do not tighten the screws too much, just snug them by hand making sure all of the excess JB weld comes out of the sides. You do not want to tighten them enough where you introduce stress on the base. Clean the excess JB with q tips and such before it sets. After it sets tighten the screws to spec and be done with it.

JB weld bonds well enough where I dont think you will need to rough up either surface.

 

[Mech45]

Re: Best adhesive for scope base bedding?

Thanks for the info, Gary Eliseo returned my email and also recommended bedding it to the action. I'm looking into another base like a Farrell instead of the CSS base and then using taller rings, MK-4 or badger, something stout. The Farrel uses four screws and bedded to the action shouldn't be a problem. Thanks again!

Chris

 

[Mech45]

Re: Best adhesive for scope base bedding?

Whats the best release agent to use on the screws to make sure they don't get glued to the action? I would like to use something I already have or is easy to get,will imperial sizing wax work or is there something better? Thanks!

Chris

 

[USMCj]

Re: Best adhesive for scope base bedding?

I use Kiwi neutral show polish. The one that comes in a small tin can. But Imerial was might work just the same.

 

[Mech45]

Re: Best adhesive for scope base bedding?

Thanks! Kiwi is something I have or can get easy enough.

Chris

 

[dinosdeuce]

Re: Best adhesive for scope base bedding?

I just bedded a Farrell using JB Weld with KIWI as the release agent on the receiver and the screws with no problem.

 

[pshell]

Re: Best adhesive for scope base bedding?

I have done the same as dinosdeuce. Used some neutral kiwi shoe polish as my release agent and used JB weld for epoxy. I've been shooting it for 3 years or so without any problems. I roughed up the base with some emery cloth, but coated the receiver and screws with the Kiwi so I can remove it if need be. I have only removed the base twice (Farrell) and the bedding has not chipped off. Apply the Kiwi twice. Let it haze the first time, then re-apply. Best of luck.

 

[USMCj]

Re: Best adhesive for scope base bedding?

No need to reaply Kiwi. Apply once, let it haze over, buff it with a soft cloth and bed the base. You do not need to have a clump of wax on there for it to work, buffing it into the steel will leave a very fine layer of wax on the metal. That is the whole point of bedding, to get as close as you can to the shape of the metal you are bedding to, and not to the thick layer of wax sitting on top of the metal.