REFLECTOR: Michaels Epoxy Pump or handpumps ?

[Tom Falls]

I do something similar . . . But. . . . I bought just the pumps that are for West  Systems epoxy, and I use them on the EZpoxy cans. There are 4 pumps in the kit from Aircraft Spuce. The two I ended up using require 2 strokes of hardener to 1 stroke of resin to get 44:100.

I pumped multiple times of hardener into a cup and weighed it, and did the same for the resin into a separate cup to verify the strokes needed from each to get the right ratio.

Then I made a chart of Hardener strokes + Resin strokes = Epoxy (grams). For example, 1+0.5=20.5 grams, 2+1=43 grams, 3+1.5=64 grams, etc.

I weigh the cloth then mix an equal weight approximately of epoxy. That way I start with close to a 50:50 cloth:epoxy layup and end up with closer to the optimum 60:40 cloth:epoxy ratio by the time I'm done squeegeeing away the excess epoxy.

Tom

On Jan 30, 2012, at 9:41 AM, John Dibble <aminetech at bluefrog.com> wrote:

> I second that.  I've never used a pump.  I use a scale that measures to 0.01 gram.  I can mix as little as 5 grams with high precision for those really little jobs.
> John
> Jack Prock wrote:
>> Hi Patrick, I have the expensive Michaels pump and it works great when moving a lot of epoxy through it, like when I was buildingmy wings and canard. But, if you aren't using a lot of epoxy, the pump tends to get gummed up.After I finished the big pieces, over time the epoxy tended to get sludgy and hard to move through the pump.I spent more time cleaning it than using it. If you only have small parts, just buy a good electronic scale and use hand pumping to measure outthe ratio. This works fine and you won't waste time with all that cleaning. My epoxy pump is now cleanedand empty and sitting in storage, while I finish the rest of the plane. Jack
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Patrick Sieders
>> To: reflector at tvbf.org
>> Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 7:07 PM
>> Subject: REFLECTOR: Michaels Epoxy Pump or handpumps ?
>>  
>> Hello All,
>> I would like some input into what epoxy pumps to buy. I know the difference, my question is more about if it’s worth it looking at the state of my project.
>> Some may remember that I took over Tom Tolton’s XL5 Fg. Since the airplane hull is pretty much done, I am looking at some smaller epoxy projects to finish it up. 
>> So should I buy the more expensive Michaels ratio pump or could I suffice with the handpumps ?
>> Take a look at my project as it sits in my garage right now ( http://www.sieders.com/sieders/velocity/index.htm ) and I would love to hear your opinion.
>> Thanks,
>> Patrick Sieders
>> Nashville TN USA
>> XL5-FG
>> 
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