I was just reading the user's guide for West System and they have four
descriptive categories for epoxy and its uses. Syrup, ketchup,
mayonnaise and peanut butter. They recommend wetting out laminations
with syrup and then spreading ketchup (with a notched trowel) on one
or both pieces. So, yes, you should use a filler, or at least follow
the manufactures (epoxy) recommendations.
http://www.formica.co.uk/index.cfm?F...y&ContentID=82

As for grain, I've never hear that it had one, in the same sense that
wood has a grain. I presume it has a grain, in the same sense that
roller processed plastics have a grain, but just like other plastics,
it doesn't have a lateral bias with respect to expansion and
contraction. Way back when I was young, I remember the surface
material and the substrate had different coefficients of linear
expansion which would cause cupping or dishing of un-laminated
material. However, the same precautions as with any veneering on solid
wood, the opposite surface needs to also be laminated to prevent
warping.

Shawn

"pete" wrote in message
...
| Hi all,
| I am just about to bond some formica (plastic laminate) to plywood
| using epoxy. Am I right in assuming that because the surfaces are
flat
| and smooth, I won't need to add microfibres or other fillers? I
| anticipate coating both surfaces and I intend pressing the surfaces
| together under a veneer press.
|
| I'd appreceate any input on this as I have never used epoxy like
this
| before, nor bonded formica using epoxy.
|
| On similar point, someone mentioned to me that formica had a grain
in
| its construction; if this is correct, does it have an effect on the
| way it pulls? I ask because normally when pressing veneers, they
| should be cross grained at 90 degrees to the veneers below.
|
| Thanks
|
| Pete

I'm wrong... I took my own asvice, and read the manufacturer
information. Guess what, Formica does have a grain, just like real
wood.
"Laminates expand and contract twice as much in their cross-grain
direction as they do in their grain (parallel with the sanding lines)
direction. Always align the sanding lines of the front and back
laminates in the same direction and, wherever possible, align the
grain direction of the laminate with the longest panel dimension. It
is also advisable to align the grain and cross-grain directions of the
laminates with that of the substrate."
http://images.formica.com/assets/pdfs/5 PanelWarpBrief.pdf
COOL...

Shawn

"Mungo Bulge" wrote in message
...
|I was just reading the user's guide for West System and they have
four
| descriptive categories for epoxy and its uses. Syrup, ketchup,
| mayonnaise and peanut butter. They recommend wetting out laminations
| with syrup and then spreading ketchup (with a notched trowel) on one
| or both pieces. So, yes, you should use a filler, or at least follow
| the manufactures (epoxy) recommendations.
| http://www.formica.co.uk/index.cfm?F...y&ContentID=82
|
| As for grain, I've never hear that it had one, in the same sense
that
wrong |
| Shawn
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