[Jewelry making - Article 00347] - Re: [Orchid] Mixing epoxy

[linlahlum]

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    I take a strip of aluminum foil, and wrap it around an empty plastic
    cassette tape box. It is centered on the non-opening side; then the
    ends tuck into the opening. Close the box and the foil is taut. Now
    you have a mini portable palette. I mix with an old metal artists'
    palette knife, small diamond shape blade, about 25mm. I use this one
    only for epoxy. I mix very thoroughly, folding the resin and
    hardener back and forth into each other, scraping up from the
    bottom, inwards from the sides, etc. The palette knife, designed for
    blending of colors, is absolutely perfect for this. As soon as the
    epoxy is mixed, I clean the palette knife with alcohol. Alcohol is
    not the perfect solvent, but it works as long as the epoxy has not
    set up too much, and I always have it around. Spills and oozes clean
    up with alcohol too. 

    I apply the epoxy with a toothpick, and leave it in the glue so I
    know when the batch is set. Tear off the foil and use the cassette
    box with a new piece of foil next time. I only use slow-setting
    epoxies such as 330 and 220. I don't trust the strength of the
    five-minute variety. I will set up the glued work with a swing-arm
    lamp pulled close, to accelerate the setting with mild heat if
    necessary. 

    In years past I epoxied almost every day. The aluminum foil and
    palette knife have worked very well. 

Good luck.
Lin Lahlum


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