Right now I am using Epo-Grip liquid fast set. It sets up in about the time it takes me to spread it and put the earliner in and quickly position the skin. Is their an epoxy glue that will hold as good as the fast set but give me slightly more working time? I can do a pretty good job with it but I would like a little more time to be able to get the skin perfectly positioned. I hate to card ears so the new epoxy will have to be able to be used without having to use carding. Also, I tint the fast set pink before I use it and I love the results. I will have to be able to do this with the new epoxy also. I know this is alot to ask, but any help is appreciated. Thanks, Ryan
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Are you fitting your earliner first and making sure everything fits? How hot is it in your shop? How long is it taking you to set the earliner?
I've used Liquid Fast Set for about 10 years now and never had any problems getting all that done within the 5-7 minutes it takes for the epoxy to kick off. If you heat the epoxy or keep it at temperatures above 80 degrees, it WILL REACT faster. Cooler temperatures make it take longer.
The Epo-Grip line has a number of other choices but as far as I know, you go from the 5 minute epoxy to the 6 hour epoxy. I don't THINK there's anything in between. You could add some xylol to the mix to slow it down some, but I think that's pushing your luck.
What are you tinting with ? Maybe this is what speeds up the reaction ?
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I agree with George. I never have any problem getting everything in place before it kicks. I did try to tint with red Tempra powder, the same stuff I used to use in Buckeye, and it turned the epoxy dark purple to black when it kicked. I haven't tried to tint it again but would like to find the right combo to get the color I desire.
I know you are sold on epoxy, but for commercial pieces, i like to use a combo of bondo over an ear liner. Gives plenty of working time, good adhesion and you get the strength and proper shape of the ear liner. Plus, I like to put a blob of bondo in the tip before sliding in the liner, gives me a little more to work with and makes sure the tips are nice and crisp.
At the risk of repeating myself (for the millionth time) Bondo is a FILLER and not an adhesive. It will flake off a plastic earliner like snot off a windshield. Try my way and then try your way. When both have kicked, then try to pull both of them OUT. Bet you'll destroy the ear my way, but with yours, it'll peel right out. BTW Bondo kicks off just as quickly as epoxy and even quicker if you add more hardener. Epoxy MUST be used in equal parts and actually IS an ADHESIVE.
I disagree. I respect your opinion, but I have mounts that are 12 years old using that method and no drumming. You have to scuff up the earliner, drill holes in it, and clean the ear hide with acetone first.
We used that method in the early 60's when the earliners first were made of plastic. You have to cut holes in them so the bondo can attach itself (just like you do on autobody work. Ever seen a car with Bondo after a collision? You'll see it's not an adhesive.) You may not see the drumming, but I'd bet the farm that if you wet the skin on those ears, you could STILL pull the Bondo out in one piece. Bondo is fiberglass resin with microballoons. It, like many products we taxidermists use, wasn't designed for that purpose and though it was a filler until we got better products, it's still a stop-gap. You can ask Steve Steinbring. I used his Epo-Grip line of adhesives when I built custom furniture 15 years ago. I got tired of my liners drumming, so I tried the "furniture glue" and it worked. One day his curiosity got the best of him and he asked me what a taxidermist was doing with his Liquid Fast Set. I told him and, as they say, the rest is history.
Steve and/or George...tell Ryan about the #30 paste I was using. Clear paste, was it? It sets in ten minutes or so, and can be tinted. I had plenty of application time, adjustment time, and even a bit or tweeking and cleaning time before it set up. I know it wasnt sold for that procedure, but it did work for me.
Bondo AND liners? Yucko, thats just way too heavy for my liking.