G/Flex Weds Wood and Glass Crystal Goblets

By Tom Pawlak — GBI Technical Advisor

David Black is a creative boat builder, woodworker and artisan living in San Diego California. He is very familiar with all the WEST SYSTEM Epoxy resin/hardener combinations but recently has become a huge fan of G/flex Epoxy.

I love it when David calls because his projects are always interesting. He pushes the envelope of how epoxy can be used. His clients appreciate him too for his creative abilities. Do you have an idea for a new table for your mega yacht? Call David. Need a unique teak deck for your yacht that no one else will even consider installing? Call David. Need someone to design and build a one-of-a-kind interior for your new motor coach? David is your guy. If it is out of the ordinary and it tests the realm of possibility and good reason, count him in.

A few months back David called to ask what I thought about using G/flex 650 to glue hardwood to glass crystal. I said as long as both were clean and well abraded—no problem. Today he emailed pictures of what he had in mind at the time he’d asked the question. I think you’ll agree the glasses are amazing. Both sets of wine glass/goblets were made for use in toasting the brides and grooms at their wedding receptions.

David provided some of the details and methods he used to make these elegant wood and crystal glasses. If you are interested in making some for yourself or as gifts for others, read on.

Nikki and Robby’s goblets were made from glass crystal goblets with the stem removed via a diamond wet saw and eventually sanded with 220-grit sandpaper on all bonding surfaces prior to gluing. The cocobolo wood was sanded with 80-grit sandpaper and cleaned with acetone and paper towel multiple times to remove natural oils before gluing.

Hayley and John’s wedding goblets were made with tropical hardwood and glass crystal as well. The gluing area on these goblets is about the size of a dime. To be certain that this was enough gluing area, David “destruct tested” the joint on his prototype prior to making the actual goblets. He discovered that the G/flex tenaciously bonded the wood and glass crystal together.

G/flex 650 (the liquid version of G/flex) was used to glue the bottom of the goblets to the wood base. David allowed lots of time for the G/flex to soak in the wood before mating wood and glass together.

Cotton swabs and rubbing alcohol were used to clean up the G/flex that squeezed out while still uncured. Dry cheesecloth can also be used to wipe off uncured epoxy smudges.

The copper jewelry beads were glued into a concave recess in the goblet base with G/flex 650 as well. David ran a continuous length of polyester sewing thread through the beads twice so it would stay attached to the goblet circumference without lifting off as the knot was tightened. The polyester thread was used because of its strength and because it is a bit stretchy. Once again rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs were used to clean up the epoxy squeeze out from around individual beads.

If you decide to make a set of goblets for yourself, consider sending us photos so we can see your creations. Possibly they will show up as a readers’ project photo in a future issue of Epoxyworks. I’m sure David would love to see your creations there as well.