Here are three cheap tricks that I use.
1. The bottom of an empty beer can is a perfect mixing bowl for two part rod finish.
2. Use a melon ball tool to get equal parts of gel epoxies like U-40 Rod Bond.
3. Shop at Michael's craft store for 144 packs of disposable brushes, at under $8.00.

Thanks for sharing your tips.

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

Like your ideas a lot. How do,you get the paste out of the Mellon ball scoop?

Gone to have to drink a few more beers I guess !!

Tom



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/25/2013 11:09PM by Tom Wewerka.

Great idea... disposable plastic spoons would make for easier clean up over the melon scoop maybe.

I use a full soda can, that's been kept in the fridge, when I mix bonding epoxies: ie 5 minute or two hour. I clean the can bottom, then mix the epoxy there, like Gary. The cold temp keeps it from setting up as fast, and the weight of the soda keeps the can from tipping over.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/26/2013 12:36AM by Chris Herrera.

What works for you is awesome, and I'd generally not attempt to change that.

I like the idea of a cool mixing vessel to extend working time, but I'd be afraid a full can from the fridge would form condensation and mix with the epoxy. I guess this can depend on where you live, but in the humid South a cold soft drink can will form condensation within seconds.

For paste epoxies (ie. Rod Bond) I break a wooden popsicle stick in two and just eyeball it. That's the beauty of Rod Bond...what looks like equal parts works every time...precise measurements aren't critical.

I'm also a fan of cheap brushes. I can easily justify the cost of a disposable $0.05 brush.

I use empty beer cans...That's half the fun...Wink.
If you need some heat, to break bubbles or on a cold day, hold a lighter to the open pouring / drinking hole.
The melon baller is metal and wipes off just fine with alcohol and a paper towel.
I use a stainless, mini spatula to move and mix the paste.
The baller has a hole in the bottom, probably so the melon balls fall out without sticking.
If you use it as a scoop, then level it with the mini spatula, like a cook would use a measuring spoon, the excess squeezes out threw the hole in the bottom.
Eyeballing is okay, but I like to measure, the bond is stronger and both jars run out at the same time.

After you apply drink the contents
Just don't put the can down
Cool -- stick them to the wall ???

Bill - willierods.com

Along a similar line, I have found that the use of an end of a disposable brush instead of my fat index finger makes narrow trim bands a lot easier to control and finish (see article in library if you don't know what I'm talking about).

The foot of a spinning reel cut off of an old never-used reel makes a nice guide for getting the alignment right on the first couple guides of a spinning rod build.

Ever see the 20 flavor boxes of Jelly Belly jelly beans? Save the box for misc small guide storage- 20 compartments, clear cover, white compartments, write with a Sharpie on the clear cover over the compartments for ID of the guides, enjoy the Jelly Bellys.

Anyone have a tip for wrapping the tiptop trim and the first guide of a tip section on a hand wrapper (no support for the limber tip)? I know, get a lathe, but these are "cheap tricks."