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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 15, 2023 13:16:50 GMT -5
So, I've read that Epoxy 330 (E330) can be cured in about 15-20 minutes if using a heat gun, putting it under an incandescent bulb, and even using a hair dryer.
Does anyone know if the pieces can be "baked" to speed up the curing time? I have a crock-pot which I can set the temperature on...and I'm wondering if anyone else has ever tried curing the epoxy in an oven/crock pot/toaster oven before...
I know I can experiment and find out...but just wondering if anyone has tried it and whether there are any dos or don'ts about it...
*For the record, I bought the crock pot specifically to use for "lapidary" related things...I didn't steal my wife's! LOL
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Post by opalpyrexia on Jan 15, 2023 13:26:56 GMT -5
Yes, Jason, I routinely use an incandescent bulb when epoxying doublets. The bulb is usually about 2.5 to 3 inches above the doublet. I also loosely wrap a coiled piece of black paper surrounding the edge of the lamp and the piece, but ALWAYS leave a gap in the paper for some air flow. I'll take a photo and post it... ... it's a 2x4 sitting on my flat lap, which sits on a cart with a lamp. Takes about 20-25 minutes for a full cure. (Doesn't hurt opal.  ) |
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 15, 2023 13:50:12 GMT -5
Yes, Jason, I routinely use an incandescent bulb when epoxying doublets. The bulb is usually about 2.5 to 3 inches above the doublet. I also loosely wrap a coiled piece of black paper surrounding the edge of the lamp and the piece, but ALWAYS leave a gap in the paper for some air flow. I'll take a photo and post it... ... it's a 2x4 sitting on my flat lap, which sits on a cart with a lamp. Takes about 20-25 minutes for a full cure. (Doesn't hurt opal. ) Thanks for chiming in Gary. I thought about tagging you on this one!  What wattage is the bulb you're using? |
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Post by opalpyrexia on Jan 15, 2023 14:14:49 GMT -5
I've used 100 watt, but the one that I'm using now is 75.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 15, 2023 14:34:12 GMT -5
I use a light bulb all the time to cure epoxy. Heat is heat. It really doesn't matter what source it's from.
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Post by mohs on Jan 15, 2023 14:57:23 GMT -5
I heated the hearts
with 40 watts candencent
on the Pixie
the stone would get pretty hot
butte I did it phases
think the hot cool transmutation
could only be beneficial to the
drying properties of the Epoxy330
usually i'd wait 24 hours for a total seal
altho sometime I take that heart out
after a couple hours of heat treatment
and gringohs on tha puppy
careful your mileage mat vary,,,mps
dees I can;t type naymore
I suse to be pretty good at finding the keys
not fast
buytte fauly accurate
nomor
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 15, 2023 21:47:13 GMT -5
I've used 100 watt, but the one that I'm using now is 75. Awesome! Thanks Gary! I use a light bulb all the time to cure epoxy. Heat is heat. It really doesn't matter what source it's from. So...are you thinking the "crock pot" heat method would work? *I should just put some in there and find out! LOL - I suppose it's not going to hurt anything... I heated the hearts with 40 watts candencent on the Pixie the stone would get pretty hot butte I did it phases think the hot cool transmutation could only be beneficial to the drying properties of the Epoxy330 usually i'd wait 24 hours for a total seal altho sometime I take that heart out after a couple hours of heat treatment and gringohs on tha puppy careful your mileage mat vary,,,mps dees I can;t type naymore I suse to be pretty good at finding the keys not fast buytte fauly accurate nomor Thanks Ed! Don't worry...I understand what you're sayin'! |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 15, 2023 22:22:08 GMT -5
jasoninsd - Yep. I would maybe put something underneath it like aluminum foil to catch anything that may ooze out. Don't know that it will, but better safe than sorry.
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 15, 2023 22:36:14 GMT -5
jasoninsd - Yep. I would maybe put something underneath it like aluminum foil to catch anything that may ooze out. Don't know that it will, but better safe than sorry. Good thinking! I had thought I might cut a teflon baking sheet sheet thingy to fit the bottom of the crock pot. I was going to try and use the crock pot for stabilizing rather than using the oven...so I bought the sheets to use in it for that. |
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Now replaced with fake plastic. 
stly
