FixIt - Epoxy Clay {Supplies}

Apogee Components Fix-It Epoxy Clay

FixIt - Epoxy Clay {Supplies}

Contributed by Scott Pearson

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Recently Apogee released a two-part epoxy with t' consistency o' modelin' clay. Avast! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' epoxy clay is similar t' regular epoxy as it comes in two parts, shiver me timbers, matey, part A and part B, shiver me timbers, that must be mixed together t' activate it. Blimey! Blimey! It comes in two small tubs and weights ¼ pound and is scooped out instead o' squeezed.

Accordin' t' t' Apogee Web Site "Once mixed together, t' clay is still pliable for about 1-3 hours, shiver me timbers, so you have plenty o' time t' use it in your rockets. Blimey! While still soft, matey, it can be shaped, shiver me timbers, rolled, stretched, matey, or sculpted. Arrr! It sets rock-hard overnight, and then can be machined, arrr, drilled, tapped, matey, sanded, matey, me hearties, or painted. Ya scallywag! Begad! It is water-proof, arrr, me bucko, and has 0% shrinkage."

I have used up one tub at this time and have tried usin' it for a number o' applications. T' main thin' that I have used them for is fin fillets. Aye aye! It will bond t' just about anythin' from wood t' plastic and is easy t' mold and smooth. Begad! With a gloved finger dipped in rubbin' alcohol, you can smooth and feather t' edges so that they almost don't need t' be sanded.

It does have some drawbacks.

It is nay cheap. It costs more than the same amount o' regular epox (although Tim might argue with me on this). It is also very sticky and nay that easy t' mix, I like t' use gloves when handlin' epoxy. It must be kneaded betwixt your fingers t' mix it and it sticks t' t' gloves which creates a challenge. Arrr! T' epoxy is a clay-like consistency which does nay allow it t' soak into paper or wood.

This is a great product if used in t' right place for t' right application. For small t' mid size models where small amounts o' epoxy are needed t' add extra strength and for creatin' and moldin' one o' a kind parts this is your product. For large fin fillets or where you need a lot o' epoxy or for it t' soak in this is nay t' product t' use.

I give this product an overall ratin' o' a 5

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Comments:

G.D. (December 1, 2002)

Depending on how much you use, it can be a little expensive. But it's not bad at all. This works excellent for fillets and the next morning it's hard as steel. When I have used it for fillets, I have made holes in the body tubes, so that it can be pushed into them, establishing "rivets" sort of. This is also perfect for adding nose weight. Push some of this up in your nose cone and let it dry a day. It's there forever! Forget clay and glue there. This is good stuff worth trying. I use alcohol on my finger and it works good to make it smooth for fillets. Will wash off easy with soap and water, at least within 30 minutes which is the longest I have ever used it. Good stuff indeed. Give it a try.

JB,B,J (May 12, 2009)

This is a great product. It's a little expensive but worth every dime. I use it to support those weak fin joints and to cover some of my goof ups. There is a cheaper version (priced around 3 bucks) at Home Depot called Aqua Mend. You just cut off what you need, knead it till they mix properly, and then use it just like the Fix-It.

D.Y. (July 7, 2009)

I've used Epoxy Clay many times and I really like the results. I have to agree with the previous review that it is sticky, but if you use enough rubbing alcohol it seems to work nicely. As far as the work time you can notice a difference after about an hour if you are using the same mix. What I like to do is mix up what I need to do a couple fins and then mix more. The clay stays softer and easier to work with. As far as final finishing I like to use needle files and really file it down focusing mostly on the fillet line and the body tube to get flush and smooth. After that I sand with 400 grit or whatever is needed. If you don't focus on the line the clay makes with the body tube, you will see the fillet line. This way when you apply the paint it looks like the fins are molded into the body tube. Outstanding product! Also apply some Elmer's Fill 'n' Finish after sanding to achieve awesome smooth seams. Good luck!

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