epoxy pumps... or gravity?
 

I'd like to get away from mini-pumps and their clogging and other hassles.

I've usually got about 3 different 4.5 gallon containers of West & ProSet
resin on the go, and 4 or 5 different hardeners.

Any thoughts on racking them upside down on a shelf, with a bit of plumbing,
and a tap for each container?
The real issue is measuring out accurate quantities - both large and small -
either by weight or volume.

With the pumps, often one shot is too large for a minor job, while a big
laminating or fairing job has me pumping dozens of times in a session (and
the thicker resins are incompatible with the std minipumps too).

Phil

www.philsfoils.com

epoxy pumps... or gravity?
 

On Mon, 29 Mar 2004 13:19:20 -0500, "Phil Locker" locker at magma dot
ca wrote:

I'd like to get away from mini-pumps and their clogging and other hassles.

With the pumps, often one shot is too large for a minor job, while a big
laminating or fairing job has me pumping dozens of times in a session (and
the thicker resins are incompatible with the std minipumps too).

I started out using the pumps, but now mostly just use disposable cups
with volume markings. I buy them in big stacks from System Three. If
find that it's faster than the pumps, and I've never had a batch of
epoxy not set right.

- Rick Tyler

--
"Ignorant voracity -- a wingless vulture -- can soar only into the
depths of ignominy." Patrick O'Brian

epoxy pumps... or gravity?
 

Phil,

I use a Michael Engineering Sticky Stuff Dispenser for the exact reasons
you list. The way these work is that the pump portion is actually below the
reservoir of resin (or hardener) which means the pump cylinder feeds with
suction underneath a body of resin that's being pushed down by gravity. No
false pumps or air 'pops'. I love mine.

You mention 4 or 5 different hardeners ...are they all mixed with resins
at different ratios? If so, the ideal product would be a single-cylinder
version of the Michael's pump for each, then you'd count pumps from each to
get your ratio right. I wonder if Michael Engineering would produce
something like this if you asked? The normal pump has a resin and hardener
reservoir and pumps from each, at the same time, at the right ratio. See
their web site at http://www.michaelengineering.com (no, I don't work for
them.)

Brian

http://www.advantagecomposites.com/tongass

"Phil Locker" locker at magma dot ca wrote in message
...

I'd like to get away from mini-pumps and their clogging and other hassles.

I've usually got about 3 different 4.5 gallon containers of West & ProSet
resin on the go, and 4 or 5 different hardeners.

Any thoughts on racking them upside down on a shelf, with a bit of
plumbing,
and a tap for each container?
The real issue is measuring out accurate quantities - both large and
small -
either by weight or volume.

With the pumps, often one shot is too large for a minor job, while a big
laminating or fairing job has me pumping dozens of times in a session (and
the thicker resins are incompatible with the std minipumps too).

Phil

www.philsfoils.com

epoxy pumps... or gravity?
 

"Brian D" wrote in message news:o1Nac.51548$K91.126932@attbi_s02...
Phil,

I use a Michael Engineering Sticky Stuff Dispenser for the exact reasons
you list. The way these work is that the pump portion is actually below the
reservoir of resin (or hardener) which means the pump cylinder feeds with
suction underneath a body of resin that's being pushed down by gravity. No
false pumps or air 'pops'. I love mine.

You mention 4 or 5 different hardeners ...are they all mixed with resins
at different ratios? If so, the ideal product would be a single-cylinder
version of the Michael's pump for each, then you'd count pumps from each to
get your ratio right. I wonder if Michael Engineering would produce
something like this if you asked? The normal pump has a resin and hardener
reservoir and pumps from each, at the same time, at the right ratio. See
their web site at http://www.michaelengineering.com (no, I don't work for
them.)

Brian

http://www.advantagecomposites.com/tongass

I always start the gears rolling when I see the guy at the hardware
store mixing the paint with that big cylinder. He just lifts the knob
to where he wants it to fill the cylinder, and lets go, voila, perfect
measure every time.
Scotty

"Phil Locker" locker at magma dot ca wrote in message
...

I'd like to get away from mini-pumps and their clogging and other hassles.

I've usually got about 3 different 4.5 gallon containers of West & ProSet
resin on the go, and 4 or 5 different hardeners.

Any thoughts on racking them upside down on a shelf, with a bit of
plumbing,
and a tap for each container?
The real issue is measuring out accurate quantities - both large and
small -
either by weight or volume.

With the pumps, often one shot is too large for a minor job, while a big
laminating or fairing job has me pumping dozens of times in a session (and
the thicker resins are incompatible with the std minipumps too).

Phil

www.philsfoils.com

epoxy pumps... or gravity?
 

Phil,

I use a Michael Engineering Sticky Stuff Dispenser for the exact reasons
you list. The way these work is that the pump portion is actually below
the
reservoir of resin (or hardener) which means the pump cylinder feeds with
suction underneath a body of resin that's being pushed down by gravity.
No
false pumps or air 'pops'. I love mine.

You mention 4 or 5 different hardeners ...are they all mixed with resins
at different ratios? If so, the ideal product would be a single-cylinder
version of the Michael's pump for each, then you'd count pumps from each
to
get your ratio right. I wonder if Michael Engineering would produce
something like this if you asked? The normal pump has a resin and
hardener
reservoir and pumps from each, at the same time, at the right ratio. See
their web site at http://www.michaelengineering.com (no, I don't work for
them.)

Looks like a good product, but could get pricy if someone uses too many
resin / hardener combinations.

Currently in the shop I use West 105 resin, 205 & 207 hardeners,
Proset 125 & 145 resins and 226 & 229 hardeners and am now exploring
epoxy surface coats and vinylester gelcoats....
Phil
www.philsfoils.com

Brian

http://www.advantagecomposites.com/tongass

"Phil Locker" locker at magma dot ca wrote in message
...

I'd like to get away from mini-pumps and their clogging and other
hassles.

I've usually got about 3 different 4.5 gallon containers of West &
ProSet
resin on the go, and 4 or 5 different hardeners.

Any thoughts on racking them upside down on a shelf, with a bit of
plumbing,
and a tap for each container?
The real issue is measuring out accurate quantities - both large and
small -
either by weight or volume.

With the pumps, often one shot is too large for a minor job, while a big
laminating or fairing job has me pumping dozens of times in a session
(and
the thicker resins are incompatible with the std minipumps too).

Phil

www.philsfoils.com