Excuse a rookie question please. My rod kit did not come with mixing cups. Should they be a particular material ? 2 part flex coat epoxy from H&H. I'm getting excited now first project. Built rod wrapper from plans I found, have all parts in. have marked spline. and taped off temporary guide spacing. will work cork grip and reel seat tonight. Just want to make sure all my ducks are in a row. Building 3pc 8-6" 5 wt. matte charcoa blank (maker unknown) will have garnet wraps. standard walnut insert on U3 uplocking seat. Any other advise appreciated as well.
thanks Eric

You can purchase compatible mixing cups at one of the suppliers on the left, or, like me, use those 2oz. "sample" cups that restaurants use. You can find them at any restaurant supply store.


Walt

Grab a shot glass to mix in since you don't have the cups, wash it out with alcohol after. Once you SLOWLY mix the finish for several minutes, pour it out on a piece of aluminum foil for a longer working time. Good luck! and welcome to the addiction!

DR

One of the best things to buy and use is a simple shot glass. It can be kept clean, has nothing in it to react with the epoxy and can be cleaned out with a quick wipe from an alcohol soaked paper towel. Unless you drop it, it'll last forever.

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I found a stack of 100 cups identical to what come with a FlexCoat Kit at a local hooby house that specializes in remote control planes/cars/boats. I guess they use them to mix paint it. I paid about $10 bucks for the bunch. 100 cups will last most builders a long time. BUT, after these are gone, I will try a shot glass.

Your local pharmacy will usually be willing to let you have a few of the plastic cups they keep for folks to use when dispensing medicine in liquid form. They are even graduated for mixing accuracy. 35mm film cannisters will work too-and can be cleaned and reused. Probably hold you until your next rod-there will be another.

I place a doubled piece of heavy duty aluminum foil in a pickle jar lid and and shape the foil to the lid. Tilt it to one side slightly while mixing, then set level after mixing is complete. After the epoxy has set up, just throw the foil into the trash and use a new piece for the next time. Small ashtrays work well too.

Eric

Hi, I use communion cups like the ones in the communion tray on the Lord's Table when used at Church services. They work fine for small projects and etc. I also use the alum. foil placed in a jar lid which also works fine. Reggie M. Finch

I bought a Pac Bay Mixer that uses the 2 oz condiment cups as Walt mentioned above. Withe mixer you just put the 2 parts in the cup with the mixing ball and turn it on. Let it mix for about 3 minutes, then pour it out on the shiny side of a piec of foil. Off you go!! Absolutely no bubbles. But until you get to that point use a shot glass works awesome.

Bill in WV

Eric, I use a plastic lid from a coffee can, works well

i get mine from Mud Hole...something like $3.95 for a 100

I have used a glass cup from a craft store made for those little candles. Real cheap. Poured the epoxy onto foil after mixing. Now I use the plastic cups from the rod supply sponsors on the left.

I use the small 1 oz plastic cups like are sold by so many suppliers but I uses the same cup over and over, I just let what ever is left set up in the cup, that way I can use the epoxy that's left to gauge drying time. When the cup is full after a week or so of mixing, I just turn it over and dump out the lump of hardened epoxy or start over with a fresh cup.
I have a power mixer but I tend to just mix by hand, mostly just because I've done it this way for so many years.

I use a small 2 oz. cup and line it with tinfoil. I find that I get less bubbles with the tinfoil. I also heat it under a 75 watt bulb that hangs over my work bench. I think the tinfoil helps heat it quickly under the low heat source I use. I can build 20 rods with the same cup. I save all the tinfoil that my wife was throwing away that is in good shape. Just rinse it off. I guess since I would consider myself a tree hugger, I'm saving an aluminum Christmas tree from being cut down!