help with etex - 7 days - still not dry...

[yogreek]

Mixed correctly, basement fairly warm, around 65, never below 60.

The box says 72 hours at 70 degrees.

I did lay it on thick.

Where did I go wrong - will my first amateurish plugs ever dry?

On a positive note, I was pleased to discover plug building is very calming on the nerves...

Thanks for listening.

[Roccus]

if it's still tacky in 6 hours ya didnt mix it right, you did something wrong, it happens, you : A got the proportions wrong, or B) didnt mix it thourghly....

I use a teaspoon to measure, I always add the hardener first, carefully measure each teaspoon and scrape the spoon clean with a tounge depressor or simular object, do it after each spoon full, repeat witht the resin... mix thourougly, scrape the sides of the container and keep mixing until the mixture clears itself and is gassing freely....

reapply a thin coat to all the plugs and all will be fine....anyone who has worked with two part epoxy has had it happen at least once, sometimes you just get distracted, you think you did it right, but you didnt.. been there done that!

[yogreek]

Thanks Roccus - will do.

[Sudsy]

Originally Posted by Roccus

I use a teaspoon to measure, I always add the hardener first, carefully measure each teaspoon and scrape the spoon clean with a tounge depressor or simular object, do it after each spoon full, repeat witht the resin

And, Roc didn't say it because it is so obvious, but use separate teaspoons.

I do it a little differently. I pick up a 200 count of measured medicine cups at the local surgical supply and pour to the lines
I used to use clear film canisters and make two equal marks with a magic marker (got em free at the film development places) but no one uses 35mm film anymore and my supplies dried up.

[The Point]

Listen to Roc he is a man with much knowledge,that he is willing to share.
I would think you didn't mix it well enough or the mixture was off.

[Rickski]

I was able to score a precsion parts counter scale cheap. Place container on scale, zero, pour in part a, and the exact amount of part B. Mix well and apply.

[Roccus]

I dont even use a different tea spoons, I use the same one, just scrape it real good.. I havent had an issue in 3 years, that's more than 300 plugs....but until you solve the riddle,I'd sticjkl with the two spoon method.. one less thing to go wrong.

[jimi4290]

dont feel bad...its happened to a bunch of builders at least once.

[Ed White]

Like the little girl with the curls, when it's good, etex is very good, but when it's bad, etex is very, very bad.

[VTBasser]

Originally Posted by Rickski

I was able to score a precsion parts counter scale cheap. Place container on scale, zero, pour in part a, and the exact amount of part B. Mix well and apply.

I am new to etex since the Devcon supply at wallymart has disappeared. But my observations showed me that the resin weighs a little more than the hardner. You will want to use a little more by weight of the hardner if you are measuring by weight. See the chart. I think I have the numbers right.

[Rickski]

Originally Posted by VTBasser

You will want to use a little more by weight of the hardner if you are measuring by weight. See the chart. I think I have the numbers right.

Cool chart. That gets hung next to the scale. I think system 3 is similar were one weighs more by volume than the other. System 3 is 2 to 1 mix.

[Roccus]

guys, go by unit measure... always measure hardener first... it's the industry standard.. and you will not have problems as long as you are reasonably accurate....be sure to mix thourouly mixing is just as important as measuring.. I've got a bunch trussed up in my spinner, I'm going to epoxy tonight... I'll take some pictures and do a how to on it....

[yogreek]

FYI, the teaspoon method worked. Problem solved.

Thanks for all the great info.

[jimi4290]

Originally Posted by yogreek

FYI, the teaspoon method worked. Problem solved.

Thanks for all the great info.

of course it works. when roc speaks...listen. he has put in more time learning than we can comprehend. i have never read a post from him that doesnt offer help....and ive read almost all of them.

[Mark P]

The Roc E-tex Post should by stickafied. That little torch trick had my batch from last night looking glassy Thank You.