JB Weld Waterweld and/or Loctite repair epoxy for dipole insulators??

[Jayson]

I recently came across some JB Weld Waterweld and Loctite repair putty. I
have used this two part hand moldable epoxy for various indoor projects and
have met with success on a number of occasions. I am now preparing to erect
a dipole and I am wondering how well this epoxy would work for the center/
end insulators? My main concerns are UV, weathering and of course
longitudinal strength. Anyone have experiences/ recommendations they can
share?

Thank you.

[Jeffrey Angus]

On 11/23/2011 8:37 AM, Jayson wrote:
> I recently came across some JB Weld Waterweld and Loctite repair putty.

I'm not familiar with these specific products, but I know
from experience the standard JB Weld is conductive. Not a
good choice for repairing insulated parts.

Jeff

--
"Everything from Crackers to Coffins"

[Jayson]

You sure about that?

http://jbweld.net/faq.php#faq009

"Jeffrey Angus" <grend...@aim.com> wrote in message
news:jaj36p$g3f$1...@dont-email.me...

[Wayne]

"Jayson" <jayso...@aol.net> wrote in message
news:jaj0eh$u4e$1...@dont-email.me...

I thought that one of the parts had some powdered steel or something in it.
Anyway....make a sample and test it in the microwave.

[Jayson]

No, according to their website, standard JB Weld and Waterweld are
nonconductive. I have some hardened Waterweld here that I just tested with
the ohmeter and there is no conductivity. They do have a steel reinforced
one thought that would be conductive I suspect.

Why would I want to test this stuff in the microwave?

"Wayne" <mygarb...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:jaj4u3$stq$1...@dont-email.me...

[Jeffrey Angus]

On 11/23/2011 9:57 AM, Jayson wrote:
> Why would I want to test this stuff in the microwave?

Dielectric losses.

Make sure you have a cup of water in there while you do
it. But afterwards check the blob of material to make
sure it stayed at room temperature.

[Wayne]

On Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:21:05 -0600, Jeffrey Angus
<grend...@aim.com> wrote:
> On 11/23/2011 9:57 AM, Jayson wrote:
> > Why would I want to test this stuff in the microwave?


> Dielectric losses.


> Make sure you have a cup of water in there while you do
> it. But afterwards check the blob of material to make
> sure it stayed at room temperature.


> Jeff




> --

Yeah...what Jeff said. :-)
--Wayne
W5GIE

[dave]

These are cheap enough, eh?

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/antsup/3720.html

[Michael Coslo]

On 11/23/2011 10:57 AM, Jayson wrote:
> No, according to their website, standard JB Weld and Waterweld are
> nonconductive. I have some hardened Waterweld here that I just tested
> with the ohmeter and there is no conductivity. They do have a steel
> reinforced one thought that would be conductive I suspect.
>
> Why would I want to test this stuff in the microwave?

Remember that testing with an ohm meter is testing at DC. RF wise, it
might be a different story.

Regardless of matters of conductivity, insulators are cheap enough that
they would be a better choice than repairing a broken insulator. I'd be
very skeptical of the structural integrity of such a repair, especially
if the break was not caused by impact. That would mean that the break
was caused by structural stresses, and would likely recur.

- 73 de Mike N3LI -

[Jayson]

Thanks to all. I decided not to use the Waterweld due to the uncertainties.
I tried to use what coax seal I had left since Radio Shack no longer sells
it and I lacked time to get more, so what coax seal didn't seal I covered
with electrical tape followed by a couple of coats of liquid electrical
tape.

I think my original question here was a little misleading. I really wasn't
needing a support insulator, but a proper seal. I was building a folded
gain dipole for 20 meters out of 300 ohm twin lead, so the ends had to be
sealed as well as the two center places where the beams connect. Hard to
explain, but I sealed as above. Hope it holds up.

Jayson

"dave" <da...@dave.dave> wrote in message
news:69qdnb7DCodHqlPT...@earthlink.com...

[Jeffrey Angus]

On 11/25/2011 8:11 AM, Jayson wrote:
>
> I think my original question here was a little misleading. I really
> wasn't needing a support insulator, but a proper seal.

You can put several coats of "Liquid electrical tape" over the
connections. That's flexible and water proof.

[Wayne]

"Jayson" wrote in message news:jao7m0$psl$1...@dont-email.me...

>Thanks to all. I decided not to use the Waterweld due to the
>uncertainties. I tried to use what coax seal I had left since Radio Shack
>no longer sells it and I lacked time to get more, so what coax seal didn't
>seal I covered with electrical tape followed by a couple of coats of liquid
>electrical tape.
>
>I think my original question here was a little misleading. I really wasn't
>needing a support insulator, but a proper seal. I was building a folded
>gain dipole for 20 meters out of 300 ohm twin lead, so the ends had to be
>sealed as well as the two center places where the beams connect. Hard to
>explain, but I sealed as above. Hope it holds up.
>
>Jayson

-
OK, good luck.

But, I was hoping to see someone microwave test the JB. Might do it myself,
just out of curiosity if I get tired of watching the squirrels run up and
down the tree out back :)

Wayne
W5GIE