Opinions on product for glass bedding a stock that was overcut by a newbie

Hey guys, have a relative who overcut a barrel inlet by a pathetic margin. (Mostly on the bottom) He decided glass bedding could help him out. He asked me which product would be the best, Devocon or Acraglass? I have no clue.
My question is: Which of the two aforementioned products would be best? He has chiseled out a 42" swamped barrel in a Curly Maple stock. Please only respond with opinions if you have used the product or know someone who had a result to comment on.
Thanks
Larry

AcraGlass I have used it for years it is great

Larry (Omaha) said:

Hey guys, have a relative who overcut a barrel inlet by a pathetic margin. (Mostly on the bottom) He decided glass bedding could help him out. He asked me which product would be the best, Devocon or Acraglass? I have no clue.

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I use both, depending on the application. For this type of ‘opportunity’ I would suggest Acraglas with a small amount of dye added so as to match the final finish color of the stock.

Having used numerous bedding products my current preference is JB Kwick. It sets in 6 minutes.

Since this project is a m/l barrel , low tech methods can be used. Harbor Freight epoxie , quick setting 5 min. type is adequate and cheap. Brown epoxie dye from Brownells is good to tint the glue making it almost invisible. The most frustrating part of the bedding process is barrel release agent. I quit using messy uncertain products like Brownells release agent, bear grease , and etc.. Since the mid 1970's , I've had exceptional success using grocery plastic bag film. This is easy beyond belief. Cut the plastic so a strip of it will cover the stock inlet side of the barrel with one thickness , and tape the two edges of the strip at the top flat of the m/l barrel to hold it in place. Saran Wrap can be used , but Grocery plastic is free. Another benefit seen , is the entire barrel need not be done it once , but bedding sections of the channel makes it easy and manageable. Another universal barrel bedding tip , a snug clamp can be used at the breech plugs end , but it's not good to clamp the rest of the barrel solidly into the barrel channel so as to possibly bend the barrel in the loose channel. Very gentle clamping is best . I've used this barrel bedding process many times with total success. Straight barrels , tapered and flavored barrels that don't fit , and are poorly inlet , cracked stocks in the barrel channel , etc.. I try to accomplise tasks quickly , and w/o excess unnecessary expense. Fifty plus yrs. of barrel bedding when necessary............oldwoodchas.

any pictures available? it may be in this case that a thin wood veneer epoxied into place would be advantageous. see dave_persons post about the Elliot carbine.

oldwoodchas. said:

The most frustrating part of the bedding process is barrel release agent. I quit using messy uncertain products like Brownells release agent, bear grease , and etc..

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I’ve been using the same can of Johnson Paste Wax as a release agent for over 40 years without issue. Believe they no longer make the JPW, but any good neutral colored shoe polish would work.

deerstalkert said:

any pictures available? it may be in this case that a thin wood veneer epoxied into place would be advantageous. see dave_persons post about the Elliot carbine.

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No, but thanks anyway.
Larry

If you're going to use Accraglass, (which is a very good product....I've used it often on "those other rifles") I'd suggest getting the "Gel" type as opposed to the original. The original is sort of like trying to heard cats.

Acra glas is good but runny. I've used cabosil many times to thicken it up. Avoid the quick setting epoxies unless it's a small job with no chance of error. The stuff can set up while you're still trying to get things into place. The idea of glueing in a shim is an excellent one.

https://www.amazon.com/Cabosil-Fume...cphy=9030195&hvtargid=pla-1657304407579&psc=1

SDSmlf said:

I’ve been using the same can of Johnson Paste Wax as a release agent for over 40 years without issue. Believe they no longer make the JPW, but any good neutral colored shoe polish would work.

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I think mine dates back to the early/mid 70's.

Have been using AcraGlas since the 70's, good stuff if ya follow directions and don't try to hurry or cut corners. Have everything handy and within arms reach before ya start so ya don't have to try and hunt down, dig out, or wish you had available. Once you start there is no time for a coffee break.

I use this stuff.

https://www.kennysarchery.com/finish

It's pricey but in my case I have it on hand for other purposes. I'm pretty sure acra glass gel is the same stuff.

ChuckJonesWagon said:

If you're going to use Accraglass, (which is a very good product....I've used it often on "those other rifles") I'd suggest getting the "Gel" type as opposed to the original. The original is sort of like trying to heard cats.

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Yes! I've bedded barrels with both the gel...which is kinda the consistency of soft butter...and the liquid. Way easier to use the gel version. Have had great results with Acraglas. Had one kit that came with a rather poor barrel inlet...too wide in some spots. Colored Acraglas gel bedded and it's completely unnoticable.

ArmorerRoy said:

Having used numerous bedding products my current preference is JB Kwick. It sets in 6 minutes.

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What do you use as release agent for that?

wiscoaster said:

What do you use as release agent for that?

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A plastic shopping bag for barrels or spray PAM for stuff with multiple angles. If you use plastic bag pull it tight and tape it so there is no wrinkles. JB Kwik works like any other bedding but it sets quickly. You can wax the part too but that takes longer. Brownells sells Accra release but PAM works better.

There are a lot of things that will work to prevent epoxy from sticking. I use Partall paste for flats and AG mold release spray for corners and hard to reach places. It's not like they're expensive. Spend the extra two dollars and get what the pros use.

how about pro bed 2000. i like it. anyone else use it??

Acragel is the easiest to work with. Clean up can be done with vinegar. I use release agent from Brownells, or a heavy coat of paste wax.
I've worked with pre-inlet stocks in the past that had gaps. I cut thin strips of wood to fill them in. After stain and finish, they disappear. I'm personally against using the modern epoxies on muzzleloaders, just on general principles.
If you are using Acragel or similar to fill exposed areas, color them black. It works out much better than trying to match with the brown dyes.

Larry (Omaha) said:

Hey guys, have a relative who overcut a barrel inlet by a pathetic margin. (Mostly on the bottom) He decided glass bedding could help him out. He asked me which product would be the best, Devocon or Acraglass? I have no clue.
My question is: Which of the two aforementioned products would be best? He has chiseled out a 42" swamped barrel in a Curly Maple stock. Please only respond with opinions if you have used the product or know someone who had a result to comment on.
Thanks
Larry

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I saw ( many years back) two “ originals “ that had been bedded with pine resin and horse hair.

Wncman said:

I saw ( many years back) two “ originals “ that had been bedded with pine resin and horse hair.

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Great idea ! I will tell my relative. Thanks, but I have a feeling he won't like help in this direction.
Larry