RE: Cheap Alternatives to stuff at the hobby shop
I save the lids from coffee cans for mixing small amounts of epoxy. Just draw two equal lines and then mix. The next day when the remainder has dried, it just peels off and can be reused. In 28 of years of modeling, I'm only on my second 1000 box of craft sticks (popsicle sticks) great for mixing anything. And my recipe for after run oil is equal parts of Marvel Mystery oil for pneumatic tools and ATF fluid. Only had to mix that once.
This is a good thread. Lots of good ideas.