It is absolutely CRITICAL that you use UN-Waxed cups. This was mentioned in another reply but I feel that it did not stress how critical that is. I have quite a bit of experience with different epoxies including FPL-16 and T88 in gluing wood. A friend came to me asking why his Tailwind rib joints were not staying together. The culprit was the WAXED bathroom cups he was mixing in. The epoxy picks up or absorbs the wax and as it cures, forms a very thin film on the wood surface. The Tailwind ribs could be disassembled with very little pressure. The joints came apart with virtually no fiber breakage of the wood. It would have been disasterous if the error had not been found at this early stage. He was sharp enough to realize he had a problem when he broke joints getting a rib out of the jig after a 24 hr cure!
Epoxy depends on a molecular link to properly cure and achieve the manufacturers design physicals. Therefore it is very important to get the ratio correct. (Polyesters depend on a catalyst action as opposed to the molecular link and are not as critical. A drop of hardener will cure a gallon of Bondo, although very slowly!)
I cannot find a reference for a ratio by weight for FPL-16. I like the suggestion of the syringes from the Farm Store and plan on checking them out. Good luck with your project!
Originally Posted by Pacer90A
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