:? This has probably been coverd before, what do you use for mixing epoxy? Ive been using tin foil, but cant get it flat enough and wind up losing some in the cracks. Come on Betty. You always have great ideas. O
I like to mix on a sheet of polyethylene using a table knife. You can cut a sheet out of the side of a plastic milk jug.
AgMD
For epoxy glue, I use a package of post-it notes. Just throw away the used one and you have a new surface for the next batch. For epoxy rod finish, I mix in a 1 ounce plastic cup and then transfer to foil for application of the finish. Hope this helps.
Brad
Oh, OK, Clyde!
Try this one. The little plastic cups you often get store bought flies in … line it with a muffin paper (they come in different sizes, one will fit which ever size plastic cup you get), and a popsicle stick (craft store, called Craft Sticks, 1000 for about $3.00). Measure your epoxy into the muffin paper lined plastic cup, mix with the craft stick, making sure to scrape around the sides so you get an even mix, apply it to the rod (or grip, or what ever) with the stick, then smooth with a brush. Pop the paper cup out of the plastic cup (there’ll be a bit of the mixture left in the paper cup) and lay it on the table with the craft stick left in it. Then you’ll have something to stick your finger in :shock: to know when the epoxy has set up completely! The stick left in the cup serves the same purpose as the finger, just neater!
Betty
For finish epoxy I mix in 20 mL glass sample vials with a plastic rod as the stirrer. Once it is thoroughly mixed I pour it out into an aluminum weigh boat. Works great for me, but I work in a chemistry lab and have access to this stuff. Might not be able to get the weigh pans and vials as easily as me.
When I’m mixing a very small batch to use on flies, I use a post-it note or a scrap of paper since bubbles are not a big issue. When mixing rod finish, I use an old shot glass in an epoxy mixer. The glass sits at about a 60 degree angle in the mixer and a short steel rod or ball bearing is placed in the glass. As the glass is rotated (about 20 rpm) the ball bearing stays in place causing the epoxy to be mixed. This method works great and produces well mixed epoxy with almost zero bubbles in about 4-5 minutes. There are several places to get an epoxy mixer including ebay and if you build more than a couple of rods per year, it is a very worthwhile investment IMHO.
Jim Smith
:lol: Betty, I have got too meet you sometime! You always find the humor. My favorite though was the glove in the zipper :lol: Seriously I like the idea. Ive wonderd about the wooden sticks. Too everyone else they are excellant ideas also. I knew I could count on the “family”
Clyde,
We had the pleasure of meeting Betty & her husband Cary at the Michigan Fish-In. It was worth the trip just to meet those two! Maybe next year they can stay the entire week & you can join us too. Betty is a doll!!
Mike
Clyde,
I can’t believe you remember the glove in the zipper! That’s just too funny!!
Mike,
Thank you. We’ve already decided we’re going to get a room at the lodge for the entire week, next year.
Betty
I use the plastic caps from pop or soda bottles. Seem to have an endless supply, and I can’t help wondering why I keep losing sleep because of it. JGW
For rod epoxy I use the little disposable plastic cups and for gluing epoxy I use the glossy pages of old magazines. Just spread it out, mix it up, then rip out the page and toss it - a never ending supply!
Bill O.
I use the lids that come on yogert cups. I mix it with an artists’ pallette knife .
Wow, quite a variety of methods used by you folks! I too use the Post-It note pads for mixing general use epoxy glues, then toss the paper after use, but for rod finishing epoxy like Flex Coat it is a bit more complex. I mix finishing epoxy in a 1 oz plastic measuring cup using a metal spatula. I have found that wood tends to produce too many bubbles. Once thoroughly mixed, I transfer the mixture into an aluminum tart tray and let it sit for a minute to level out. I started using a sheet of foil, but found I had problems containing the mixture so the tart tray solved the problem. I have come across many epoxy dilemas until I learned to get it right. IMO accurate measuring and very thorough mixing is the key to great epoxy results. The plastic cup is discarded and the tart tray is kept to check the hardening process, then discarded. Both items are a small price to pay to insure great results. Once applied to the rod, any bubble problems are eliminated using a bubble burster alcohol torch. 
To help with mixing and eliminating bubbles, try warming the epoxy tubes in a bowl of warm water, before dispensing the epoxy.
You will get a more precise measurement, the epoxy and hardener, will combine easier.
I cut the first coat, for penetration of the thread. denatured alcohol works just fine.
I found a really neat little stainless still mixing dish that is fairly hevy based. it is about the diameter of a tennis ball and is about 3/4" deep. what I do is heat the mixing bowl up to a little above ambient temperature and mix the epoxy or the Diamondite in that. With it being a little warmer than the stainless would be if I used it cool, it helps to thin out the mixture for easier application for the epoxy, but it is pure deadly to the diamondite as it makes it harden much quicker and the pot life really sucks. when I am finished, I just clean out the mixer bowl with a little acetone and it is ready for the next batch. I bought that on line and if I can remember where I bought it I will post it…
funny how getting older impacts the memory as it does…lol
I use the little one ounce plastic disposable mixing cups - I pay $2.99 for 100 of the buggers.
I mix mine in an upside down soft drink or beer can. The oval shape works great for any sized batch. Be sure to break off the tab or the empty can won’t sit level.
I took a square piece of slate left over from tiling our home. I cover the smooth side with heavy duty aluminum foil, making certain it is as flat as possible. Then mix the two parts with an ice cream stick and apply it to the blank. I always mix some extra just in case.
When doing the wraps, I use disposable plastic cups that I saved from my last trip to the local Baja Fresh. They work great provided you mix the rod wrap epoxy with a plastic stir stick, not wood. After mixing thoroughly for 2 minutes minimum, I pour the epoxy from on cup to the other and the bubbles almost disappear.
Both these ideas came from members of this bulletin board and have helped me big time!
Gene
Squeeze the epoxy into the corner of a plastic sandwich bag, twist the corner of the bag to form a small strawberry shaped pouch. Knead the pouch to mix, snip the corner of the bag off and you have a handy applicator.
No waste, no mess…
What a terrific idea. I’m building rods for Christmas and I’m gonna use this one!
Gene