what to use on optics

[lulighttec]

Adam,

Do you know of something like this that takes a bit longer to set? And where it might be found? I'm looking for something that sets in 10-15 min or longer.

Any off-the-shelf 5-minute epoxy will work, but I've had *great* luck with JB-Quick. It dries to a grey finish so it's easy to see where the glue is, and you can cut through it with an exact-o knife if you need to remove the optic. I've used it for dichros, mirrors, and PBS cubes.

Adam

[dsli_jon]

...And where it might be found? I'm looking for something that sets in 10-15 min or longer.

*ahem* Not Adam, but.. Try your local Auto Parts store.. Usually (especially the 'older-school ones', akin to the way an older 'ACE-type' hardware store actually has hardware.. they are a great source for all types of RTVs / silicones / 2 part-epoxies and variants, and a plethora of great 'tapes' (ie: 3M 'VHB' glass and metal-mounting tapes, *awesome*..) foil-tapes, etc, etc.. Depending on the 'depth' of your local-place, 'Your mileage may vary' but, in general, I've found Auto-supply places to host wealth of great-stuff for the 'DIYer'..

..Also, fwiw, I've found many interesting 'tool / mod-werk' solutions in 'other industries' that you might not, otherwise, think would 'be relevant', ie: Did some 'Lasertising' at a Sailing trade-show a buncha years back, and.. WOW.. discovered some *amazing* / cool tools / rigging-devices I never knew existed, that have been absolute *gems* for show-production / temp-rigging, etc.. Would never have thought to 'go shopping for laser-show stuff' in that industry, had I not happened on those items at the show... Jus sayin..

fwiw...
j

[lulighttec]

*ahem* Not Adam, but.. Try your local Auto Parts store.. Usually (especially the 'older-school ones', akin to the way an older 'ACE-type' hardware store actually has hardware.. they are a great source for all types of RTVs / silicones / 2 part-epoxies and variants, and a plethora of great 'tapes' (ie: 3M 'VHB' glass and metal-mounting tapes, *awesome*..) foil-tapes, etc, etc.. Depending on the 'depth' of your local-place, 'Your mileage may vary' but, in general, I've found Auto-supply places to host wealth of great-stuff for the 'DIYer'..

fwiw...
j

So, no worries about you being Jon instead of Adam! But you might be a good person to ask my next question. As I mentioned, I'm using it to mount a KTP in front of a C-Mount Diode in a TO-3 can with the front removed (weird, I know, but that's how it came). I was looking at the outgas specs of JB Weld on NASA's database, and found that it's not listed in the "low-outgassing" materials because the TML wasn't under 1%. However, the TML is only 3.3%, and the CVCM is 0.14-%, and I'm wondering if that's low enough for what I need. Any thoughts? If it works, that would be great, because it would be easier to pick up than Hysol 1C or something like that.

(For those who are wondering, TML=Total Mass Loss, and CVCM=Collected Volatile Condensable Materials.

[dsli_jon]

Hey Bud -

...As I mentioned, I'm using it to mount a KTP in front of a C-Mount Diode..

Ah, I guess I missed the 'where u mentioned-that-part' otherwise, I would have said, for that, I'd go with a UV-cure.. 'gooey enough' to allow positioning / max-tweekage, w/o 'walking', but much more solid a long-term solution than 'JB weld'... 2-part Epoxies are more for, like, snugging a colli-lens in a mount, or, a prism-to-mount, 'setting' locking-screws on a deck, etc.. 'Intracavity optics' (such as a KTP really-is..) benefit from the über-bond, and 'super-low-drift' / shrinkage of UV-cure.. Here's some 'local-experience / heros', with the stuff:

http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...hlight=uv-cure

http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...hlight=uv-cure

http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...hlight=uv-cure ..uh, Brilliant!

fwiw..
j