Preview: Mastering Epoxy with Russell Brown, Part 2 – Filleting in Two Steps

13 Responses So Far to “Mastering Epoxy with Russell Brown, Part 2 – Filleting in Two Steps”

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  Andrew Robb says:

  Is there a McMaster part number for the chisel sticks please. I have tried to find them without luck. Cheers Andrew

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    Nate Rooks says:

    They are WEST System specific, and thus not on McMaster. McMaster does seem to have some tongue-depresser shaped plastic ones, but you’d need to modify those.

    Here are the ones Russell uses/modifies, and they’re much cheaper than the McMaster option:
    https://www.fisheriessupply.com/west-system-804-mixing-sticks

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  Chris King says:

  I find the mini pumps dribble when they are just sitting there. So I often have a little puddle of unmixed epoxy below the pumps. Do you have any tips for preventing this?

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    Nate Rooks says:

    We typically wipe the nozzle of the pump after use, and keep a paper towel under them when storing.

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  Jim Mathieson says:

  If I had Russels techniques and cardboard squares and his patience ,I wouldn’t have a serious Epoxy allergy. Thanks Russel & OCH…

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  Charles Rider says:

  One minor detail: don’t throw mixed resin in the “trash” if you have made a mistake, you might be throwing away a whole cup. This could easily ignite if put in an enclosed area.

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  Ants Uiga says:

  Russell has developed excellent boat building skills. The special aspect is his willingness to share those skills in this video series as well as three books he has publishes. There may be other with similar skills, but until I meet them or have an opportunity to learn from them, Russell fills the teacher role.

  Boat building proceeds smoothly when the construction, assembly and finish steps are considered in an overall procedure. Russell’s three books present the information. I am always looking for learning from better workers than me.

  My first boat was built in 1960, a Minimax hydroplane from Popular Mechanics/ Popular Science using two part resorcinal glue. Boat building has never been a profession, but always a enjoyable hobby. The aspect that brings enjoyment is doing something well, doing it efficiently, and having a result that I am satisfied with.

  Russell gives the tools and details to make my work better. Thanks Russsell.

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    Captain Keith Korporaal says:

    Ants – Your comment brought back memories! With a few buddies, back in 1962, we built 3 of the same Minimax hydros in our wood shop class, using the Popular Mechanics plans. Later that year I built an 8’ pram dingy from Popular Mechanics… and still have this boat!! Resorcinol glue still holding its bond after all these years. And yet, now, so glad to have epoxy and these Russell Brown videos. Thanks to all!

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  Miro Peternelj says:

  What solvent is used for cleaning tools (brushes, sticks…)
  Is the pot time with 207 long enough to reuse the thicken epoxy for filleting again?

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    Nate Rooks says:

    Miro – Depending on the application, either rubbing alcohol or acetone is used. I think Russell prefers alcohol.

    207 has a nice long pot life, even in the extra-warm conditions Russell tries to keep his shop. The excess can be put back in the baggie and used for the next round of fillets. One caution with that is that when it’s in the bag it’s in such a clump that it’s extra prone to exotherm/kicking off.

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  J.D. Bondy says:

  I am curious to know what is happening outside of the camera’s field. What do you do with the extra epoxy at the end of the fillet stick? Do you have an empty cup waiting for the waste? What do you set the squeezie bag on in order to keep things clean?

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    Nate Rooks says:

    Good questions, JD! The extra epoxy goes back into the (now empty) mixing cup. If there’s a lot left with more fillets to do, it can refill the squeezie bag.

    Cup, tools, squeezie bag, etc. all get set on cardboard pallets when not being used. Russell keeps a bunch of square cardboard bits around – on the work bench, in the boat, anywhere sticky things will need to go.

    One of the most impressive things about his work is his attention to cleanliness. I’ve started to implement it in my own epoxy work and while at first it seems a bit overkill, it ends up making the process easier, cleanup faster, and results better.

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  Conbert Benneck says:

  This video alone, is worth every dollar of your subscription price. Expert know-how; preparations; and demonstrations of how to do fillets is superb. I just wish that I had had access to this information years ago when I built two OPTIMISTS; a Bolger CAR TOPPER; a Bolger, NYMPH, and reinsulated the inside of my sailboat ice box to make it more efficient. Doing the fillets as an amateur was difficult; at times frustrating; and required a lot of sanding clean-up on fillets in the usual boat – upside-down and backwards – due to lack of experience and knowledge of how to do it properly.

  This is