OK, about to build my 2nd model, using 5 minute epoxy for the 1st time, but the instructions on the pack are very vague. When it says to mix the hardener and the epoxy (using equal amounts) what is the best thing to use to mix with????

You squeeze out equal amounts from each tube onto something that can be discarded, like a piece of cardboard, scrap piece of wood, plastic or whatever. If you use a piece of plastic, the hardened epoxy can often be peeled off, and the plastic mixing board can be used multiple times.

Mixing the epoxy also required something disposable. Lollypop sticks work well. Pieces of scrap 1/4 square balsa work well too. I like to use a flat headed screwdriver. The hardened epoxy can be cut off the screwdriver with a knife. Recently I have beed using an old butter knife to mix my epoxy. It works well for spreading the epoxy on stuff.

All in all its mostly a case of using whatever comes to hand. Oh, and one other thing. Make sure you use a mixing board that is bigger than you expect to need. Once you have mixed epoxy a few times, you will get a feel for how much space is needed to mix on.

Start with 15 min epoxy.

5 min might not be enough working time for someone new to epoxy. If you want to go all-out and get the sample cups (the kind you go in in the hospital) and glue mixing brushes that works as well. Works better, in fact since the glue brushes (ask for acid brushes in a plumbing or electronics store) make evenly applying epoxy much easier.

This is also more epensive, but not by much if you buy stuff in bulk. If you plan to build lots of airplanes, or eventually complex ones I recommend this highly. Eventually you can start mixing in what are called microballoons or microbeads to make the process go quicker, fill gaps better, set faster and sand easier and smoother. I use 30-min or even 2-hour epoxy mixed with 25-50% microbeads over my 'glassed boat hulls. The stuff's still plenty strong, and it fills gaps with less weight than straight epoxy.

If you have any epoxy questions, feel free to email me at [email protected]

Thanks.

Hello, For small amounts of epoxy I use a 3X5 index card and mix and apply with a toothpick. (the stronger round type).
I buy index cards the at Wally World... $.46 for 100. I also have used a small cheap screwdriver like NCBrit mentioned...... lownslo.

I use the tops of coffee cans to do my mixing. You can use them over & over. When the epoxy cures, just bend the coffee can top & it pops right off.

check your local flea market for acid brushes. we've got a guy with a tool tent that sells 25 or 50 of'em for the same (or less, i don't remember) than what the hobbyshop wants for 5! if you want to use popscicle sticks you can pick up plenty of those at craft stores. or, you can just eat lots of popscicles...

When working with the 5-min epoxy, I like to mix it on Post-It Notes. They are the perfect size for most applications you can get to in 5 minutes and they are cheap and disposable. By leaving the note in place until you are done, you can see exactly where the epoxy is in it's curing time. This way, you'll know exactly when it is safe to unclamp and move on.

I mix and apply it with a 4" long stainless steel needle about an 1/8" in diameter. I made one up with a wooden handle on it and you can get great control over the stuff and get it just where you want it. You could use a thin knitting needle as a substitute.

I learned the Post-It and needle (actually called a bodkin) tricks from my other obsession, salt-water fly fishing. A few very productive flies call for sculpted bodies made from 5-min epoxy. You get very good at working with the stuff and keeping it balanced to form a perfect fish shape.

Hope this helps!

Ed

I use these too. Best thing going. They are free with damn near anything you buy in a can, (coffee, peanuts, etc) You mix up your epoxy with a piece of scrap balsa (I usually use a piece of scrap sheeting about 1/2" wide) and the next time you need to mix, the old stuff is cured and peels right off, good as new!

I prefer the cups because I get a more accurate measurement when mixing multiple oz. of epoxy. But lids are a good idea <eyes the peanut and empty coffee-can lids around his place... hmm>

Thanks guys, used a piece of formica topped wood, and mixed and spread using a Screwdriver, worked fine :-)

Sticks like cack to yer bedclothes as well

I won't ask what CACK is

LOL, obviously a very English expression then

Yea, you Brits make me nervous. My Mom was born and raised in Nottingham. She went back there a few months ago to visit her brother and look what she brought back!!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU PEOPLE EATING OVER THERE???

It's no wonder we wanted our Independence!

LOL!!! Only been to the USA once, to FLA about 11 years ago, and I think I realised then we were quite different breeds Saying that, we don't all walk round in Pinstripe Suits, and Bowler Hats you know

Incidentally, I'm 27 years of age next week, and have never eaten spotted dick, or any other kind LOL

...And just what is THIS stuff????


Treacle...a pudding?

Just what's in this stuff? LOL

I steal the plastic cups out of the bathroom my wife buys! They are about the same size as the epoxy cups at the hobby shop, White, and a lot cheaper! I belive they are madeby SOLO.

There are a couple of BBQ restaurants that I frequent. They have these little plastic cups used for sauces (with tops, but you won't need the tops). I take about 40 or so each time I go. Epoxy is mixed in these with 5 cent plastic hobby paint brushes I get at a local hardware store. The end which mixes depends on how I need to apply. If I need to coat something, I use the brush end, if not, the handle.

BTW, careful with 5 minute, I've noticed that it gets pretty hot when mixed. I don't use 5 minute for anything other than fuelproofing now (thinned either with heat or denatured alcohol, both of which increase curing time). I've found that it's not as strong as 15 and 30 minute epoxy to hold 2 parts together. This is especially true if you're trying to save weight by using as little glue as possible.

Buy or steal a large sack of small paper Dixie-like cups, they'll last forever. When you grab Chinese food, grab as many bamboo chop-sticks you can for mixing. With 5-min epoxy, you have to be fast...don't stir too long. I reach over to the sander right before mixing and adjust the bamboo to a tip that matches the work. Don't mix it on a rainy day, I hesitate if it's even muggy outside and I'm in the garage. Humidity does something weird and you won't get a good set...turns out like Jello and you will be cursed. Keep the tubes inside at room temp. If it's hot in your shop, warm epoxy sets off even faster. Let the cup cure next to the plane and check later by poking the hardened pool with an Exacto for piece of mind. Also, buy the good stuff.....I've had less problems with Pacer and Devcon products. If possible, learn the new thick C/A techniques with accelerator sprays if you have to build fast.
Jack

Paper dixie cups get my vote, but yes 5 minute gets hot if there's a fair amount. Another thing to use is magazines. Each page is good for many small mixes and applications and you can't beat the price. 5 minute doesn't get hot if spread out on a magazine page.

Spotted Dick
Ingredients
(6 servings)
8 oz Self-raising flour
1 pn Of salt
4 oz Margarine
2 oz Castor sugar (Superfine)
4 oz To 6 oz sultanas (Big raisins)
6 tb Water Instructions
1) Have ready a sheet of foil or a double thickness of greaseproof paper brushed with melted margarine. 2) Make the pudding crust: Sieve the flour and the salt. Rub in the margarine. Add the sugar and sultanas. Mix in the water to make a soft dough. 3) Turn out onto a floured board and form into a roll. 4) Wrap loosely but securely in the greaseproof paper or foil. Tie or seal the ends. 5) Place in the steamer and cover tightly. Steam for 1.1/2 to 2 hours. 6) Serve with hot custard sauce or sprinkle with castor sugar. Variation: At stage 3: Put the mixture in a medium-sized (1.1/2 pint) pudding basin with a round of greaseproof paper in the bottom and brush all round inside with melted margarine. Smooth the top. Cover with foil, or double greaseproof paper brushed underneath with melted margarine and steam for 1.1/2 to 2 hours. Serve with hot Custard sauce or sprinkle with castor sugar.

Whew! Thanks for clearing that up Brett.

Not enough sultanas and it should really be suet pastry. But anyway who's going to take dessert criticism from the people whose idea of haute cuisine is something called a Mud Pie ?

In case anyone is still interested IMO the thing about mixing epoxy is to keep the proportions correct and mix for long enough. A quick stir round is not enough. I generally prefer to mix it on something flat rather than in a cup. In a cup it heats up and that reduces the working time.

Steve

One point on the Dixie cups. If you can, try and get the ones without the wax covering. If you're anything like me you can get pretty excited and scrape a bunch of the wax into the mix while you’re stirring it up.

Jake C.

theres 1 thing that you need to know about epoxy...it can be a stinky,nasty,gooey pain in the arse so just take ur time.