2:1 Resin Pumps?

Dave Diefenderfer

Dave Diefenderfer

Well-known member
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Has anyone found resin metering pumps that can be ordered 2:1? US Composite pumps are just 1oz per stroke pumps, you have to count your pumps to make the ratio... I liked the West System pumps, but can't find similar for generic resins? Are the US Composites pumps "repairable"? Perhaps I can insert a stop in one of the pumps to limit the stroke? Suppose I could do that on the handle rather than internal? Any experience out there?

TIA, Dave
 
Raka's 2:1 pumps are just a sleeve on the outside of the piston (a split piece of plastic tube that pops on). They work OK, but they aren't great. There are really nice calibrated pumps out there, but I haven't used them.
 
Have you considered mixing by weight as opposed to volume? The ratio is different, but quite easy to work with. I use an industrial 2 part epoxy and can mix in large or tiny batches using a 5# digital scale that shows 1/10th of an ounce. No worry about gummed up pumps, just pour into a container and figure the ratio (for me it's 4:1).

Dispensing without Mini Pumps (Weight/volume measure) - To measure 105 Resin and 205 or 206 Hardener by weight or volume, combine five parts resin with one part hardener. To measure 105 Resin and 207 or 209 Hardener by volume, combine three parts resin with one part hardener (by weight, 3.5 parts resin-1 part hardener)​
 
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FWIW, I found that the metered pumps from RAKA--which required counting pumps to get the right mix--were not all that accurate, especially as the level of material in the container got low. I ended up marking my mixing cups to get the right mixture, so I didn't have to worry about losing count on larger batches.
 
I've always used the RAKA pumps and they worked just fine unless your fluid was thick (cold) or you started getting bubbles in the pump. More recently I went to the store and got a couple hundred mini dixie cups like you would use in your bathroom. I know where on the cup one pump is and brim full is two pumps.
 
So then what? You transfer the dixie cup of resin and the dixie cup of hardener to a mixing container? Don't you waste a lot of material clinging to the cup, and then your ratio is off because you lost an equal amount of cling, though your ratio is not 1:1? In the past I used West System, and red solo cups. 1 pump resin, 1 pump hardener into the same cup, mix a minute and use.... if I wanted more I just did more pumps... I suppose I can make a table of various mix sizes and use the scale, but that just looks like more opportunity for error?

But I appreciate the input, that is why I asked!

Dave
 
FWIW, I found that the metered pumps from RAKA--which required counting pumps to get the right mix--were not all that accurate, especially as the level of material in the container got low. I ended up marking my mixing cups to get the right mixture, so I didn't have to worry about losing count on larger batches.
Click to expand...


yep on the above and as Pete said, the warmer the epoxy is the better.
 
Dave,

I have a whole box of wooden tongue depressors that I scrape the sides with. No, I don't lose much. The ratio doesn't have to be to 6 sigma to work. I have built 3 boats and used probably 20 gallons of epoxy in total - the point being that small errors in mixology do occur and "for the most part" are acceptable. I qualify that because "I" haven't had a problem but others might. I don't know what the tolerance is for the mix ratio but, based on my experience, wouldn't be surprised if it was 5%. Obviously ................. your mileage may vary.
 
I used larger plastic cups (the ones I remember from college keg parties), and, using water to measure the first one for the right ratio, marked them with a Sharpie marker--one line for the resin, a second line for the kicker. Then I would pump resin up to the first line, add hardener up to the second, then mix in the same container. If I was working fast and getting lazy I might make two batches in the same cup, but most of the time I simply discarded the cup at the end and started with a new one.

The size sleeve you'd buy for a one-kegger got me through my 15 foot sculling boat . . . . .

Someone (Jamestown?? West Marine??) also sells cups that are marked up with a variety of units and mixing ratios, but they were too expensive and potentially confusing for me.
 
First boat I used pumps from west system, second and third boat used pumps from raka 4th boat my pumps gummed up so I did half the boat with cups like Jeff did. Used water to get the fill mark for the resin then add the appropriate amount for the hardener for the second line. Easy to do and you don't lose count of how many pumps. I plan on using cups for my next build whenever that will be. Hopefully this summer after I move.
 
Dave, I use West pumps with U.S.Composites epoxy. The technique is simple, just transfer the U.S.Composites materials into the West systems containers. Now the west pumps work! I've been doing this for about 5 years now and I'm still using the same pumps.
 
Howard,
What are the ratios of the west system pumps?

I have US composite fast which I think is 4 to 1 and medium which is 3 to 1 I also have some west system pumps which I always liked because of the one pump to one pump ratio they used.
 
Buy 2 or 3 collapsible water jugs that have a valve and pour your epoxy in them and then go to a surgical supply store and buy graduated cups in bulk. No pumping and perfect ratios.

31sXk-6UDYL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

 
've built some large boats...50-58' using 2:1. Michael engineering makes a pump called a goo grinder. One reservoir is 2.5 gallons the other is a 5 gallon bucket. I've actually got an extra. Pm if you're interested. I'm certainly not looking for retail pricing but will warn that new they cost what a decent fully equipped gunning float costs.... $1500. Anyway sounds like you've already gotten sound advice. Frank
Middletonboatworks.net
 
Dave, the West fast hardner is 4:1. They also sell a 3 pump set that contains a pump for resin, a pump for fast hardner and a pump for slow hardner.
 
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