BoatBanter.com - Epoxy Fillers

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I have been using Phenolic Micro Balloons while taping the outer
chines, transom, and bow of my drift boat (especially to hold the tape
in place on the vertical surfaces) and as fairing compound to smooth
everything out after taping, because of the ease of sanding, but have
noticed tha glass micro balloons are about 1/2 as expensive as the
Phenolic balloons.

What are the strengths/weaknesses of using the glass balloons vs the
phenolic vs wood flour (which I used over the tape on the fillets of
the inner chines)?

I have also been considering using in the future a mixture of micro
fibers and some type of balloons w/ maybe a little fumed silica in the
future for my chine work, with micro balloons for fairing and
smoothing.

What are the relative merits of the different fillers above mentioned?

Thanks!

A while back I wrote an entire article about epoxy 'tools' and included a
vast array of fillers {check the archives at www.duckworksmagazine.com . . .
under 'Columns'}

Basically, my STRUCTURAL 'filler of choice' is wood flour. In addition to
it's capabilities as a filler, it also has thixotopic properties. Silica is
more of a 'thixotopic additive' than an actual filler . . . as in
'non-sagging'. In addition, it cures VERY hard. Phenolic and Glass Micro
Balloons are in the COSMETIC class of fillers, along with Talc . . . hence
the ease of sanding. Because their surface is then rather porous, a further
'painting' with un-thickened epoxy is recommended.

Take a look at any number of booklets on the subject from almost any of the
usual suppliers {I use RAKA from Larry Steves}. Get familiar with the
properties of all the typical fillers. Then you can either use them 'as is',
or mix them to 'custom match' the filler to YOUR particular task. Along with
Wood Flour, I keep on hand {in order of 'hardness'} Fumed Silica, Phenolic
Balloons, Glass Balloons, and Talc. I also keep Glass Fibers {1/4 inch} and
Milled Glass Fibers {1/32 inch}for when I need extra strength of
cohesiveness.

Regards & Good Luck,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop

"raposaNegra" wrote in message
om...
I have been using Phenolic Micro Balloons while taping the outer
chines, transom, and bow of my drift boat (especially to hold the tape
in place on the vertical surfaces) and as fairing compound to smooth
everything out after taping, because of the ease of sanding, but have
noticed tha glass micro balloons are about 1/2 as expensive as the
Phenolic balloons.

What are the strengths/weaknesses of using the glass balloons vs the
phenolic vs wood flour (which I used over the tape on the fillets of
the inner chines)?

I have also been considering using in the future a mixture of micro
fibers and some type of balloons w/ maybe a little fumed silica in the
future for my chine work, with micro balloons for fairing and
smoothing.

What are the relative merits of the different fillers above mentioned?

Thanks!

Don't forget to think about wheat flour. 5 lb. is US $1.75. The
missus probably has some older stuff perhaps so make a test. I mix up
my 2:1 expoy to make three ounces, and found that 2/3 Cup bread flour
makes a very thick putty. It does not finish smooth, but very rough.
A thinner mix will flow some. Also it mixes in the epoxy much better
than talc.

I pay US $5 for a 1 lb. can of talc or micro baloons.

--
I don't speak for Intel
Michael Kelly (the one in Folsom)
"and nobody is fooled except the usual fools."
--Jonah Goldberg

"Michael Kelly writes:

I pay US $5 for a 1 lb. can of talc or micro baloons.

OK for talc, but for microballoons you are getting screwed.

Lew

Lew Hodgett wrote:
"Michael Kelly writes:

I pay US $5 for a 1 lb. can of talc or micro baloons.

OK for talc, but for microballoons you are getting screwed.

A pound of microballons has got to be an awful lot of material. I
thought they were sold by volume.

"Brian Nystrom" writes:

A pound of microballons has got to be an awful lot of material. I
thought they were sold by volume.

I buy mine in 30 lb bags which is 4 cubic ft.

Lew

There's a cabinet shop near me. I get the woodflour I want for free.
They wish I'd take more.

Check your yellow pages. Chances are the a place near you.

--
Matt Langenfeld
JEM Watercraft
jemwatercraft.com

Lew Hodgett wrote:
"Michael Kelly writes:

I pay US $5 for a 1 lb. can of talc or micro baloons.

OK for talc, but for microballoons you are getting screwed.

Lew

"Matt Langenfeld" writes:
\ There's a cabinet shop near me. I get the woodflour I want for free.
They wish I'd take more.

It's worth what you pay for it.

Great way to waste good epoxy.

As the old saying goes, "Buy em books, they eat the covers."

Lew

Check your yellow pages. Chances are the a place near you.

--
Matt Langenfeld
JEM Watercraft
jemwatercraft.com

Lew Hodgett wrote:
"Michael Kelly writes:

I pay US $5 for a 1 lb. can of talc or micro baloons.

OK for talc, but for microballoons you are getting screwed.

Lew

Lew Hodgett wrote:
"Matt Langenfeld" writes:
\ There's a cabinet shop near me. I get the woodflour I want for free.

They wish I'd take more.

It's worth what you pay for it.

Great way to waste good epoxy.

As the old saying goes, "Buy em books, they eat the covers."

Forget it Lew. Until they understand what fumed silica and microballons
do it is no use to argue.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"Glenn Ashmore" writes:

Forget it Lew. Until they understand what fumed silica and microballons
do it is no use to argue.

Agreed, but sometimes I get bored.

Lew