Epoxy: a tip

[Dan Gaylin]

Hi folks,

if you are like me, and occasionally use epoxy and really appreciate it when it is the right tool for the job, BUT do not love mixing it up, and have occasionally gotten the ratios wrong with resultant problems…

…RUN, don’t walk, to pick up the System 3 gun, cartridge and mixing nozzle of either their Quickcure, or T88, depending on your project’s need. I used mine for the first time on a project this weekend and it is sooo nice. Insert the cartridge, stick on the nozzle, prime it, and then squeeze the trigger to release however much epoxy you need, perfectly mixed, in a very well controlled stream/bead. When you are done easily remove the cartridge and reseal it with the included cap.

it is a little pricey but so convenient.

[Stan Calow]

Thanks Dan. I didnt even know you could get T-88 in 50 ml cartridges.

[Dan Gaylin]

Stan,

yeah I had seen these systems with some pretty expensive 3M pro grade adhesives when I was trying to find a rather specialized one for very strong metal to metal bonds. Then I saw the System Three units and I bought one some months ago. But I hadn’t broken it out because it was another step and unfamiliar. So I was still doing it “the old way”. Finally this weekend I decided to try it and I was just amazed at how well the whole thing works.

[Howard Pollack]

Do you need to put on a brand new mixing tip each time you use the epoxy? -Howard

[Dan Gaylin]

Howard,

yes a fresh nozzle each time. A six pack of nozzles sells for about $9

[Dave Sabo]

Seems to me there is a lot of waste with that system.

I understand the convenience though.

[Tom M King]

A bit wasteful, but you can run a tiny bead right where you need it. The guns have gotten cheaper than they used to be, but I bought mine from Golfworks, along with the nozzles. I use a number of the 3M DP adhesives for different things.

https://www.golfworks.com/epoxy-mixing-dispensing-gun-with-1-1-2-1-plungers/p/vb1005/

[Dave Sabo]

A bit wasteful, but you can run a tiny bead right where you need it. The guns have gotten cheaper than they used to be, but I bought mine from Golfworks, along with the nozzles. I use a number of the 3M DP adhesives for different things.

https://www.golfworks.com/epoxy-mixing-dispensing-gun-with-1-1-2-1-plungers/p/vb1005/

Can do that too with this and toothpick :

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/paint-and-supplies/tape-glues-and-adhesives/glues-and-epoxy/12769?store=14976&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI15P5v7Xr9QIVDRpMCh0uswuAEAQYASAB EgK6DvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

-or—

This if ya really love the mixing tube.

https://www.rockler.com/loctite-quick-set-epoxy?country=US&sid=V91040&promo=shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgLa81bXr9QIVV__jBx3A9Qn5EAkYASAB EgJtrvD_BwE

[Maurice Mcmurry]

I am too cheap to use the mix tips much. I also don't like to waste the glue that is left inside. I use 5 to 1 and 1 to 1 double barrel guns for foundation repair and Corian fabrication. The mix tips work best when I need a lot and am able to pump fast. I use a digital scale and old yogurt cups for woodworking. The double tubes work fine without the mix tips too, I just squeeze into a yogurt cup or dixie cup. It is easy to contaminate the tube either way.

[Tom M King]

I wouldn't have wanted to glue the plastic fender on my dually back together with a toothpick. I forgot to take pictures past that day.

There are several things around the farm here held together in similar fashion.

[Dave Sabo]

I wouldn't have wanted to glue the plastic fender on my dually back together with a toothpick. I forgot to take pictures past that day.

There are several things around the farm here held together in similar fashion.

Nice sandbag there. :rolleyes:

You said a tiny bit , not a thin bead running for two counties.

Cleaver repair though. Prob. shoulda bought a Ford though. :p

[Tom M King]

I've been driving that truck since Nov. 2000. It has 357,000 miles on it. No truck payment for over 21 years. It's one of the few things I've ever bought that ended up being better than I thought it would be.

I put layers of fiberglass cloth, and mat saturated with West Systems under that fender to make it much stiffer. That's what the mixing cup on the cardboard was for.

Edited to add: I test drove a Ford, but didn't want a loud diesel.

[Tom M King]

I used double sided releasable tape, and mixing sticks to keep the surface aligned as close as I could until the DP 1000 (or 100-don't remember exactly) kicked. Probably used 2 dozen mixing nozzles, and a couple of duotubes of DP1000.

[James Baldwin]

Since I have owned boats I've been using System 3 for years and I bought the pumps that attach to the containers. Mixes it in the right proportions. I also have mixed it with the fillers for extra bonding and making fairings. Used to have to order it but the local Woodcrafters store stocks it now. Great stuff. Jim

[Stan Calow]

Seems to me there is a lot of waste with that system.

I understand the convenience though.

I just like the idea of getting the mixture ratio right without messy measuring or eyeballing it. I always end up with too much and wasting it anyway.

[Matt Day]

West Systems 105 for me. 1 pump resin, 1 pump hardener, mix. That’s it.

[Tony Shea]

I also really like the West System 105 pump system. I'm not a huge fan of mixing epoxies either so spent the money on the pump system. To check the accuracy I also weighed my first couple of batches and was very surprised at how accurate the pumps were. At this point I trust them and have yet to have any issue. It converted me to a West System fan.

[Tom M King]

I use a lot of West Systems too. I keep a sleeve of unwaxed paper cups for pumping into for mixing, and little plastic ones for tiny batches. The paper ones I like are kind of short, and wide. You can see one on the cardboard under the truck fender in the first picture.

[Maurice Mcmurry]

The pumps with the scale works best for me. I keep track of just how many grams are needed for various tasks.

[Thomas Colson]

I got a thing of 1000 tiny little plastic bottles (think visine eye drop size) with needle applicator tips (think covid shot needle) for I dunno, 19$. Lifetime supply. Great for filling the occasional (dead) bug hole in reclaimed barn wood, nail hole, etc, without getting more epoxy on the work piece than in the hole.

I use the west system after trying every single one of the amazon "table top" brands. Dixie cup and one pump is all I need. The extra cost is worth the less mess.

[Dave Cav]

I keep a cheap digital scale and a selection of disposable cups around for mixing epoxy. The scale has to be replaced every few years because no matter how careful I am, it still gets nasty.

[Maurice Mcmurry]

I try to remember to cover my scale with waxed paper or plastic wrap. I often forget. I use denatured alcohol to clean up. I often use a soldering acid brush to apply the glue. I keep the acid brush in a jar with denatured or acetone and reuse it several times. (having had parents who lived through the depression)