Hey you guys, hope you're all doing great and haven't come in contact with the Corona Virus!!

I've been kind of on a search for a better epoxy finish and epoxy glue mixing cup. I just bought a set of four Silicone, 1 ounce, reusable, mixing cups. They have no markings at all on the inside. In fact, they are shiny smooth. On the outside there is only a 1/2oz marker and a 1oz marker so they're kind of useless if you need the markings. As for their shape, they have a wider base than most so they'll be a pretty stable. Even I shouldn't be able to knock them over. They're quite nice. They're kind of spendy at $9.99 for four of them. But, given they're reusable these Silicone cups could keep how many thousands of plastic cups, with a little hardened epoxy in them, from making their way to the landfill?

I'd like your thoughts about these? I rarely, if at all, use the markings on the side of measuring cups to measure out epoxy. I'm either using enough to use syringes to measure or I'm using too little to hit any of the markings. I use US Composite's thin laminating epoxy (#635, 3 to 1 mixture) to glue up my reel seats and any cork or EVA. I use syringes for this epoxy. I add Cabosil once they're mixed to thicken it for these different gluing processes.

If you've found these Silicone cups useful, please chime in.

Tom

Epoxy won't stick to the little plastic cups, either. Just squeeze the sides a few times and the epoxy "plug" will pop lose and you can dump it out and reuse the cup.

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That's true Tom...thanks!

I like using aluminum for mixing in. Seems to improve the open time by drawing away the heat. Both finish and handle/seat epoxy. After much experimenting I now use the bottom of a 12oz aluminum beer or soda can. The "punt" on the bottom is perfect for the amounts I use and they are easy to clean. If I forget then they only cost a nickle.

This is true. The more surface area you have the epoxy exposed to, the more exothermic heat will be able to dissipate thereby increasing pot life.

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I mix mine on a piece of aluminum foil about 5” by 6” doubled over so I have 2 layers. I use a spatula to mix it. When done mixing I spread it out and then hit it with some heat from the alcohol torch (bubble buster). Been doing it like this for many years with great results.

I mix my epoxy in the plastic cups then transfer to aluminum foil after mixing. By the time I get the rod dryer turned on and brush in hand, any air bubbles have already disappeared.

To just clarify; I use a cup to mix, then I pour it into an aluminum dish. I thought you were supposed to mix in one container then pour it onto/into something that's flat aluminum that allows it to spread out and remain cool?

Tom Harder Wrote:
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> To just clarify; I use a cup to mix, then I pour
> it into an aluminum dish. I thought you were
> supposed to mix in one container then pour it
> onto/into something that's flat aluminum that
> allows it to spread out and remain cool?

That is always a good method to use.

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12oz. can crushed to aprox. 2" in height with "the crusher".

I like those aluminum dishes mudhole sells. I mix in the regular plastic cups and pour it out onto the aluminum. It's really simple and has given me no issues.

Robert, that's exactly what I do. I like those dishes too. You get 25, stored in a nice little box, for a few bucks. Well worth the money as far as I'm concerned. They're thicker than foil. Maybe equivalent to 3 layers of foil.These are what I used for the finish comparison I posted a couple of weeks ago.