Well, I finally did it! Yesterday I mixed a batch of epoxy and applied it to a rod I was completing only to find four hours later that it still hadn't started to harden. This was my first epoxy failure in well over 100 mixed batches and looking back I had several clues that something was wrong during the application.

The first clue was that the mixed epoxy was stiffer than usual when I started to apply it. It also developed more bubbles than usual in mixing. When applied the bubbles didn't release well and leveling wasn't normal. Not having mixed a previous batch like this I ignored all these signs and thought, 'the epoxy gods aren't smiling on me today'.

Thanks to all of the good info I've read in this and other forums over the years I wasn't panicked yet. I left the rod on the turner while removing all of the epoxy that would come off on my spatula and applied a carefully measured one to one mix. This second batch applied easily and released bubbles easily and best of all cured on time.

Just a reminder to all that at times the mind does wander but there may be a cure at hand for your mistakes.
Also don't mix 2 1/2 cc's of resin with 2 cc's of hardener unless you have time to experiment.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

2 1/2 cc of resin mixed with 2 1/2 cc of resin will positi0on you for entrance to the proper place of worship. I suspect the custom structure shown is highly applicalbe to both of us! I will return it to the place of origin for a short visit if you think your pain would be minimized.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

"No brain, no pain"! Just a short 'old timers trip' for a peek at the future.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

Stan I would venture to say you did the one thing that guarantees a failure 100% of the time, mix exactly 3cc of resin to 3cc of resin and it will NOT cure and it is something a good number of us have or will do glad it came out ok
John

Stan you have to quit sniffing so much Sage and Juniper!!!!!

LOLOLOLOLOLO

John, That is certainly another possibility! In my advanced years I seem to be exploring a lot of new ground as well as procedures. Every day brings a new experience.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

That wasn't a problem in my formative years. Perhaps the cumulative effect is now catching up.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

Stan,

Set your bottles up and look at the level of each. There should be the same amount in both bottles. If one is a bit lower than the other, you probably mixed 2 parts resin or 2 parts hardener. I did this once, on my second rod. Haven't repeated the error since, however, and I doubt you will either.

All the various finish epoxies work as advertised so when something like this crops up, you know you've made an error somewhere.

.................

Tom has a point on the bottles IF you started with the same amount in each one! I have seen some that have more in them than others and I've ended up with one bottle that had some left over. I stick syringes in the tops of my bottles that STAY there until the finish gone, no "off" measuring here.

DR

Tom,
I was right down to the bitter end on my bottles. Thats why I was shooting for 2 1/2 cc's. I've checked as you suggest and believe I was a bit short on the hardener. I have syringes in the caps and the resin being thicker takes a while to fill the bottle neck and displace air. I usually always measure it first. The hardener runs more freely and I draw it out second. I think I would have noticed this difference had I used the resin twice and I doubt if I had 5 cc's left in it.
The main thing I think I learned is that if the mix characteristics don't react normally you should smell a rat and discard the batch. You're going to end up mixing a new one anyway.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/08/2008 04:12PM by Stan Grace.

Tom,
Double post

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/08/2008 04:11PM by Stan Grace.

Actually, you achieve the same difference between the bottles if you spill one.

Then later, you gotta figure out what to do with the rest of the bottle you didn't spill.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

That is why I use a measuring cup/ I mix no less thana 1/2 oz at a time.
Good Wraps Bob