I'm looking for opinions on what is the best Epoxy for general boat repair
and Cedar strip Canoe kits? I'm going to sell them on a website that has
been in existence for over 2 years and I am expanding the product line. I
won't mention the website because I don't want to spam this group or any
other group for that mater. I'm just looking for help in offering what is
best for the end user. I'm thinking of West Systems, MAS Epoxies, System 3
and RAKA Epoxies. Any help will be appreciated..

Thank you

Put your web site link in your signature, that's not spam.
I like to see other people boats, built for profit or not.
--
Jacques
http://www.bateau.com

"Brian McCafferty" wrote in message
. com...
I'm looking for opinions on what is the best Epoxy for general boat repair
and Cedar strip Canoe kits? I'm going to sell them on a website that has
been in existence for over 2 years and I am expanding the product line. I
won't mention the website because I don't want to spam this group or any
other group for that mater. I'm just looking for help in offering what is
best for the end user. I'm thinking of West Systems, MAS Epoxies, System 3
and RAKA Epoxies. Any help will be appreciated..

Thank you

"Brian McCafferty" writes:

I'm looking for opinions on what is the best Epoxy for general boat repair
and Cedar strip Canoe kits? I'm going to sell them on a website that has
been in existence for over 2 years and I am expanding the product line.
snip

When it comes to laminating resin, snot is snot, just stick with one
manufacturer.

If you expect to make any money, you buy 500 lb drums and repackage it
yourself.

There are only about 4-5 base resin suppliers in the world.

The money is not in the resin, it's in the hardeners.

Again, repackaging hardeners is where your money will be made.

Having said that, you now address a whole series of issues including
equipment, storage, liability, etc, which will impact your margins.

If you are going to sell kits, you also have to repackage fillers.

Good money if you do it right, but fillers are a basic PITA.

What about glass?

Repackage from rolls?

Don't forget, glass has a shelf life.

What about supplies? Disposable suits, gloves, spreaders, plastic buckets,
etc, etc.

Somebody has to sell them for these kits.

What about abrasives?

Somebody has to sell them for these kits.

I won't even go near the wood part of this project, but a similar series of
questions exist.

HTH


--
Lew

S/A: Challenge, The Bullet Proof Boat, (Under Construction in the Southland)
Visit: http://home.earthlink.net/~lewhodgett for Pictures

Lew Hodgett wrote:

"Brian McCafferty" writes:

I'm looking for opinions on what is the best Epoxy for general boat repair
and Cedar strip Canoe kits? I'm going to sell them on a website that has
been in existence for over 2 years and I am expanding the product line.
snip

When it comes to laminating resin, snot is snot, just stick with one
manufacturer.

If you expect to make any money, you buy 500 lb drums and repackage it
yourself.

There are only about 4-5 base resin suppliers in the world.

The money is not in the resin, it's in the hardeners.

Again, repackaging hardeners is where your money will be made.

Having said that, you now address a whole series of issues including
equipment, storage, liability, etc, which will impact your margins.

If you are going to sell kits, you also have to repackage fillers.

Good money if you do it right, but fillers are a basic PITA.

What about glass?

Repackage from rolls?

Don't forget, glass has a shelf life.

What about supplies? Disposable suits, gloves, spreaders, plastic buckets,
etc, etc.

Somebody has to sell them for these kits.

What about abrasives?

Somebody has to sell them for these kits.

I won't even go near the wood part of this project, but a similar series of
questions exist.

HTH
-----------------------------

issues to consider:


how brittle?
Does it blush?
exotherm - will it melt the mixing cup or smoke (exotherm varies with each
epoxy)
Viscosity?
hazmat or non hazmat to ship?
can be private labeled?
Mix ratio (the closer the numbers the better)? Price (of course)?

email support -good test - as to be faxed/mailed or emailed an MSDS for the
resin in cure. Everyone in the 'chemicals' business considers MSDS requests a
'pain in the ass' so if they respond back, and respond quickly, you probably
have a vendor that will provide support even when he knows a request for MSDS is
some one shopping or comparing (or even a competitor) and will probably not lead
to a sale.

Email a question on Friday night and see if you get a response before monday!

- my pet peeve is websites with no product prices. I also find many epoxy sites
confusing when you need to buy the curing agent and the resin separately instead
of as a kit (and I'm in the business).

RE other folks comments: There are about 3 or 4 different epoxy resins and
about 60 or 70 different curing agents (plus other possible fillers,
additives,etc)

Some of the small cheap vendors buy in bulk from the 3 or 4 raw resin/curing
agent suppliers (generally giant international chem companies) - repackage and
resell. We, and the other 'primary' marine epoxy vendors, use the 'raw'
resins/curing agents for the big suppliers and then 'doctor' them to create the
so-called 'greatest' marine epoxy. ( as much art as it is science) - sort of
like 'fixing' the frozen pizza from the supermarket!

Cheers! paul



================================================== =====
PAUL OMAN ----- Progressive Epoxy Polymers, Inc.
Frog Pond Hollow - 48 Wildwood Dr - Pittsfield NH 03263
Boating site: http://www.epoxyproducts.com/marine.html
================================================== ======

"Brian McCafferty" wrote in message .com...
I'm looking for opinions on what is the best Epoxy for general boat repair
and Cedar strip Canoe kits? I'm going to sell them on a website that has
been in existence for over 2 years and I am expanding the product line. I
won't mention the website because I don't want to spam this group or any
other group for that mater. I'm just looking for help in offering what is
best for the end user. I'm thinking of West Systems, MAS Epoxies, System 3
and RAKA Epoxies. Any help will be appreciated..

Thank you

If you are going to sell kits, you should probably use the glue you
are currently using to build them. That way if the customer has a
question, you can answer it properly. Scotty

On Tue, 9 Dec 2003 11:24:42 -0500, "Brian McCafferty"
wrote:


Dont Bother even considering raka their support is for ****

I sent them 5 emails for a price quote and got back exactly 0 replies
This is a digital age if you put an email address on your website you
better damn sure answer them or you will get NON-customers like me
who will NEVER buy from you



Rant mode on:
I dont care what kind of business it is if you are not going to
provide the service dont open the business even if your selling
widgets if you can't answer your email dont offer it as an option

Rant mode off

Praise mode on
One of the few places I have found lately that answers their email
answers even the stupid questions of the newbies is Jacques of
bateau.com .... he ships his plans out super fast sends out updates
if required and in general is there for his customers!!!!

praise mode off



I'm looking for opinions on what is the best Epoxy for general boat repair
and Cedar strip Canoe kits? I'm going to sell them on a website that has
been in existence for over 2 years and I am expanding the product line. I
won't mention the website because I don't want to spam this group or any
other group for that mater. I'm just looking for help in offering what is
best for the end user. I'm thinking of West Systems, MAS Epoxies, System 3
and RAKA Epoxies. Any help will be appreciated..

Thank you

That's interesting, as everyone I know who's dealt with Raka has said
that Larry is very helpful and responsive. I've heard nothing but good
things about his products, too.

Time Walker wrote:

On Tue, 9 Dec 2003 11:24:42 -0500, "Brian McCafferty"
wrote:


Dont Bother even considering raka their support is for ****

I sent them 5 emails for a price quote and got back exactly 0 replies
This is a digital age if you put an email address on your website you
better damn sure answer them or you will get NON-customers like me
who will NEVER buy from you

I guess I should have said I plan to offer Epoxies on my web site not Kits
for Canoes. I have been selling fiberglass, Kevlar, and Polyester and other
resins now in large and small quantities since 2001. My website is very
Familiar to most everyone here "I would assume" and its being redesigned
for a January of February launch date. I'll be offering Epoxies,
Abrasives, Safety Equipment, Laminating Tools, Chopper and Spray Guns,
Adhesives, Partall mold release Products and More..

I just wanted to know what you all thought would be a good epoxies to offer
on the new improved website.

The ones I've considered, without getting into pouring off from drums is
MAS, West, Raka and System 3. What do you guys think would be a good
general purpose Epoxies for Canoes and Boat repair.

I get a lot of people buying the plans elsewhere then buying the 60" cloth
from my company. I have been sending my glass customers elsewhere for
epoxies such as Raka. Now that I'll be offering epoxies to customer direct
I want to make sure that I have proven product that will satisfy my existing
customers and future ones. I want to make sure its a good reliable
product. I'm leaning towards MAS because of the low Viscosity and their
distributor pricing is
more attractive and should be lower in price for the end user. Any
Thoughts?

Thanks for your help.
Brian

Don't forget Industrial Formulators (the cold cure allows us Canuks to work
year round) and East System (for finish coat)

"Brian McCafferty" wrote in message
.com...
I guess I should have said I plan to offer Epoxies on my web site not Kits
for Canoes. I have been selling fiberglass, Kevlar, and Polyester and
other
resins now in large and small quantities since 2001. My website is very
Familiar to most everyone here "I would assume" and its being redesigned
for a January of February launch date. I'll be offering Epoxies,
Abrasives, Safety Equipment, Laminating Tools, Chopper and Spray Guns,
Adhesives, Partall mold release Products and More..

I just wanted to know what you all thought would be a good epoxies to
offer
on the new improved website.

The ones I've considered, without getting into pouring off from drums is
MAS, West, Raka and System 3. What do you guys think would be a good
general purpose Epoxies for Canoes and Boat repair.

I get a lot of people buying the plans elsewhere then buying the 60" cloth
from my company. I have been sending my glass customers elsewhere for
epoxies such as Raka. Now that I'll be offering epoxies to customer
direct
I want to make sure that I have proven product that will satisfy my
existing
customers and future ones. I want to make sure its a good reliable
product. I'm leaning towards MAS because of the low Viscosity and their
distributor pricing is
more attractive and should be lower in price for the end user. Any
Thoughts?

Thanks for your help.
Brian

Please elaborate on Industrial Formulators and East System.

Thank you.

Ron Alexander wrote:
Don't forget Industrial Formulators (the cold cure allows us Canuks to work
year round) and East System (for finish coat)

"Brian McCafferty" wrote in message
.com...

I guess I should have said I plan to offer Epoxies on my web site not Kits
for Canoes. I have been selling fiberglass, Kevlar, and Polyester and

other

resins now in large and small quantities since 2001. My website is very
Familiar to most everyone here "I would assume" and its being redesigned
for a January of February launch date. I'll be offering Epoxies,
Abrasives, Safety Equipment, Laminating Tools, Chopper and Spray Guns,
Adhesives, Partall mold release Products and More..

I just wanted to know what you all thought would be a good epoxies to

offer

on the new improved website.

The ones I've considered, without getting into pouring off from drums is
MAS, West, Raka and System 3. What do you guys think would be a good
general purpose Epoxies for Canoes and Boat repair.

I get a lot of people buying the plans elsewhere then buying the 60" cloth
from my company. I have been sending my glass customers elsewhere for
epoxies such as Raka. Now that I'll be offering epoxies to customer

direct

I want to make sure that I have proven product that will satisfy my

existing

customers and future ones. I want to make sure its a good reliable
product. I'm leaning towards MAS because of the low Viscosity and their
distributor pricing is
more attractive and should be lower in price for the end user. Any
Thoughts?

Thanks for your help.
Brian