WEIGHING EPOXY - with a Rodmaker's scale
© Tapani Salmi 2005

Many glues (especially epoxies) consists of two components, mixed either in equal amounts (1:1) or using different partitions (eg 1:2, 2:3). These are typically masses of the components - if you try to use eg. drops you may get totally a wrong result. Using a balanced level with some coins as counterweights it is very easy to measure the glue components directly to the mixing cup.

The idea is to use a balanced level, eg a plastic or metallic ruler like a see-saw. You need very simple material: a ruler, some round object for an axle (eg. a round pen), mixing cup, some coins or other objects with equal mass.

Fix a round pen beneath the ruler in the middle using tape. You now have a minimal see-saw. Put the mixing cup to the other end of the ruler and some counterweight to the other end to keep the seewsaw in balance. You may fix the cup and the counterweight with a piece of tape.

Pour the proper amount of component A of epoxy to the cup. The cup goes down.

Now take one or several coins and put them to the right location of the opposite side of the ruler to return the balance.

Thereafter put addtionally the same number of coins on the ruler - the side with coins goes down and cup goes up.

Now add slowly the component B as much as needed to return again the balance. Now you have equal amount of A and B in the cup
If the wanted proportion of the components is other than 1:1 you have to use the corresponding amount of coins: if the partitions are 2:3 you have first to put 2 coins to balance with component A and then add 3 coins before adding B to restore the balance.

Now you have the components in the cup to be mixed. If the (fast curing) epoxy becomes hot and cures too fast, pour that to a shallow cup to keep it cooler. Be careful with epoxy - your skin and eyes are easily sensitized and you may develope allergic reactions. It is always safest to use vinyl gloves!

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