Among other things that I have put off over time has been a epoxy mixer. Again this is another thing that I shouldn't have overlooked. I don't worry about bubbles now unless I'm just doing quick repairs and hand mixing. I would recommend using one if you want to get around those tiny little bubbles that drive you nuts.

Sammy,
I never worry about mixing epoxy, fast, slow or somewhere in betwen.
I also never worry about bubbles.
I simply mix the 1:1 mix - by volume epoxy in a container for 120 seconds using a flat blade.

I apply the finish, and then go over all of the coated wraps with a heat gun if necessary, to thin, let the epoxy flow, and also drive out any bubbles that might happened to have been in the mix.

Quick, simple and easy.

Take care
Roger

Even heated epoxy has micro bubbles left in it. The difference in clarity can be seen, or I should say noticed, by the naked eye, even though the micro bubbles can't be. The precise, slow, mechanical mixed batch will be brighter and clearer nearly every time.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/16/2009 09:28PM by Tom Kirkman.

I agree Sammy. Since using a mixer I have enjoyed very consistent mixes without worries. I set a timer for 4 minutes and remove dust from wraps and flame fuzzies during that time.

Chuck

I feel a power mixer is the greatest, I will never mix by hand again. Make sure to get some stainless steel marbles to put in the mix.

Bill

Ohio Rod Builders

Canton, Ohio

Bill,

When using a power mixer, I assume that you you are referring to the type that uses a tilted rotating cup, with some stainless steel balls in the cup being stirred by the rotation of the cup?

If so, what cleaning procedure do you use for the stainless balls so that you can use them on the next mix.

Do you just wipe them off with an alchol soaked paper towel or drop them in a bottle of alchol to clean or??????

I dislike wasting a lot of finish and I assume that if you have more than about one ball in the finish, you end up with a bit of finish being wiped away during the cleanup of the balls?

Thanks much.
Roger

Roger

After mixing my finish I pour the steel ball onto the foil right along with the finish. After completely finishing my wraps I take a small magnet and pick the ball out of the left over finish and drop it into a alcohol wetted paper towel for cleaning. No need to hurry cleaning the ball, and the only wasted finish is the leftovers I'm not going to use anyway.

Rog

Roger,

Yes, that is the unit I use. It is great and you will not regret gfetting one.

I also pour the ball and all onto the foil. when done i simply pick up the ball with a paper towell and was with denatured alcohol. There is no waste.


Bill

Ohio Rod Builders

Canton, Ohio