Icky Messy Sticky

[chache]

Just a thought or a hint, for those of you using 2 part Epoxy for the first time. I haven't yet seen this mentioned on this board,
But Hey,  I'm Gnu!      (That's a Linux reference)
These are not my original ideas. I got them from other people. Just passin 'em on...

Ok
1) Epoxy,  flows much better if it is used in warm temperatures. If you are having slow flowing icky stuff, warm it up, in a pot of hot water. Heat the water, remove it from the heat source, and set the both bottles in the heated water. It won't take long to flow well.
Does it work with "Titebond" ??  I dunno! Try it out and see.

Here's another tip or three... and a solution...

2) Use the bottom of a soda can to mix epoxy for your Rib assembly. It's just about enough for a rib, and you won't be wasting any.  Use some tin snips, to remove the can from it's bottom, and it wont slide as easily.

3) If you find that isn't enough volume for you, use a  2 oz. paper Bathroom cup.
It is what I used to laminate my spars.  But.... be aware it tips easily.. getting the
Icky Messy Sticky stuff, in places you really didn't want it to go.......

Solution??
Go to the cupboard, and empty one of those pasta boxes. Cut a hole in the largest
side of the box closer to one end. Then cut another hole  next to it, for your applicator stick, brush or whatever. (See photo)
The tiny tiny sticky epoxy threads will land on the box, near the cup..
not drip on your work, your clothes, your table your.........


I used a plastic cup for this photo demonstration. It's better, if used with
a paper cup.    At least that's my preference.

If and when the epoxy cures in the cup, place another cup, right on top. I have found this works well,  till about the fourth cup.. then I just remove the set from the first cup on, and use the box again. My box is still in use, after 9 weeks,
cost--- $00.00, so it's also economical.

.....and "Economical" is my middle name!
Some can't pronounce that word, and just call me cheap! save your brushes, by suspending them in some Acetone. Don't let the bristles touch the bottom and the epoxy will drip off. the GOO, is not reusable, but it's just what you can't scrape off the brush.


Oh Yeah..... I used a $.50 cent 1" brush, from WalMart, with the bristles cut about halfway back  as my tool of choice for spreading epoxy. This makes them stiffer
and it's easier to spread the gooey stuff. If you're not cheap, you can just throw it away.

Chache

[chache]

Why a paper cup is my preference...

1) The plastic cup, is very smooth on the sides and may not stay down in the
cut hole. Could I live with that? Yes... but it just may pop out at a critical moment...when your hands are full.
Especially when there is just a trace of epoxy left and it sticks to the brush...

No big deal, but it is a distraction you must deal with, when it happens...

The paper cup, sits better in the hole.

2) To build some stiffness to the cup the manufacturers add bends to the bottom, so the bottom isn't flat, but has a channel on its perimeter, this is where the first part you pour into the cup, gets missed when mixing, and a thorough mix is difficult. At least more so than the flat bottom of the paper cup. This to me, is unacceptable.

Not only does it waste product, but one could inadvertently brush
unmixed resin ...or Hardner, into the glue joint. This, would substantially weaken the joint.  but you'd never know till the joint failed.

Chache

[Kamcoman77]

Thanks for putting a few tips all in one place. I am also not one to waste a lot of supplies if I can reuse things. Instead of the larger cups, I have been using plastic dessert cups I get from applesauce, diced peaches, etc. Some of the store brands have cups that are perfectly smooth inside. This lets me mix T-88 with no problems. Once the glue cures, I can flex the cup to pop out the epoxy and reuse the cup.

[chache]

<Kamcoman,>  That too is a good idea.  And you can still use the anti- spill box!
That's a win win!
Chache

[Maxray]

Great idea!! I really like the pasta box idea. I was hot gluing my mixing cups on a disposable
paper plate then stacking my new cups over the used ones after pulling out the hardened epoxy..
Your idea makes much more sense.
I use these 1oz. graduated epoxy mixing cups when building R/C airplanes and my Eagle.
Very cheap. Like the ones that come with cough syrup..
https://www.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXK360

[Maxray]

Here is my hot water bath for T-88. It's cold in my workshop and the
epoxy is like cold honey. It's a lab hot plate attached to a digital temperature controller
with a probe set at 80 degrees. Works great! I have a spare lab hot water bath if anyone wants it.