(Need help) Rodding problem

[SbergeronMG]

fourth pictures you can really see our glue and the glue they put for the dishwasher side to side
3rd is only their glue

[Matt Lansing]

I know from conversations that I have had with the guys at Bonstone that this kind of epoxy can absorb water vapor out of the air and it can contaminate the epoxy so when it sets it can expand slightly, especially if its mixed a little too hot.

We haven't had an issue with it in this regard, when we would get cracking the length of the rod slots it was usually from the guys getting the stone too hot with a torch drying out the rod slots.


But I would take a look at your epoxy handling conditions and if the cans are left open for extended periods of time then you may have your culprit here.

We actually use NAPA fiberglass resin for rodding and haven't had any issues with it. Just have to mix a ton of extra cream hardener in it to get it to cook off in 10 minutes or so but it doesn't burn like other polyesters and it will bond to the stainless rods and stone so its a win for us.

[Curtis R. Marburger]

We used a fast setting epoxy for a short time . we found the heat from epoxy setting and expanding was cracking the stone like in your pictures . switched back to touchstone 2 part

[Carmine Pantano]

I'm not sure how much this matters, but our slot is not as wide as yours. I was told once if the slot is too wide, it could compromise the strength also. Again, not sure how true that is.

[scott m]

I cant see the pictures for some reason, but that was my concern....A wide slot is a big NO NO......the rod should easily go in and out of slot, but no more.....

[JeffC]

I hate rodding and do it as little as possible(only once this year so far). I did a lot of tests on this year's ago and only one way makes it much stronger. To me it's more of an insurance it doesn't crumble to a million pieces. For true strength an aluminum L channel with one deep cut to accept the long part and a few shallow passes allow the rest of it to sit flush. I have found nothing better for strength. I also worked for a shop that used bondo for rodding and never had an issue with the stuff. Would also mix it up on install to fill in gaps to the cabinet with 3cm and if you use the white hardener for stone glue it stays grey and blends in with the color of the bottom of most stone