Is it possible to insert resin into the microwave in order to warm it up?
I’ve read of people doing it with epoxy resin for 10-20 seconds, but I haven’t tried it myself
i havent tried it and i really dont know a whole lot about epoxy resin but puting a whole bunch of chemicals in a mircowave doesnt sound like a real good idea to me.
i could be totaly wrong on this but, it sounds like it could be possible to blow your house sky high. and i bet an insurance company wont pay for that mistake.
Hey Joely,
I have tried it and it works to warm up resin. I don’t know about the significant risks involved though. I can say that when I heat up my resin in the microwave, I use so much less catalyst. The resin flows much better and is more predictable to handle specially in colder climates. Although I’ve tried it, I’ve stopped using this method as sometimes the resin boils and I really don’t want to be inhaling resin fumes (as well as having gel times in less than 30 sec! ha!). I now use a container the same as my resin tub and fill it 1/4 with hot water. I then place my resin tub with resin on top of it. 'Sorta like a double boiler. It works just like the microwave, and less fumes I would think. But if you’re in the experimenting mood go ahead and try microwaving. But remember just to leave it for a few minutes (or seconds, depending on the resin amount) as the resin heats up really quick. Oh yeah, I’ve only tried it with poly resin not epoxy.
Rio
i wouldn’t put in the microwave you heat food in that would be a bad idea. mommy this steak maskes me feel all light headed weeeee
Are you sure it works ok, without any problems in a microwave? I don’t wanna get hurt or nothing.
I’ve done it plenty of times. 15 second cycles and test with a stir stick - it thins out when warm. Works good after adding cold, chunky surfacing agent too. I’ve also used it with epoxy and it warms it up for thinner, easier flow and faster cure times in cold temperatures.
HOWEVER, I recently read here where somebody had an explosion just opening a can of resin(?!) and I’m NOT advising anyone to do what I do.
If you have an old microwave and wanted to try this outside as an experiment, please do so at your own risk.
I regularly heat up small amounts of epoxy in the microwave, for between 10 and 15 seconds, no more. Our workshop is cold in winter and this saves keeping the resin in a heated cabinet all the time, also works with 5 min epoxy glue really well as it thins it nicely. Have had no explosions yet!!! Wouldnt fancy polyester though, way too volatile.
i really think the double boiler concept is really the best idea. you will have a much lower and controled temp to deal with.
i live in central florida and parts south of us are well known as the crystal meth capital of the world. they make that stuff but heating chemicals in microwaves. every couple months you will hear about some meth lab that blew its self sky high.
i know we are comparing apples to oranges here but its still chemicals. and like john said any time chemicals and extreme heat mix you need to be really careful.
one guy on here can tell you he was pretty close to losing his twig and giggle berrys when he was trying to open a can of resin.
and jim the genius can tell you about his close call right around christmas.
i can tell you something for sure you will never catch me heating my resin in the microwave
What exactly is the double boiler concept?
ok a double boiler also a ban marie in the cooking world. what you do is take a large pot tray or bowl. and fill that with warm water then put your resin into a smaller bowl and put that bowl into the warm water.
this way you are heating through conduction( i think thats the right kind of heat transfer, that i am talking about.
anyways it gradualy warms up the temp of the resin without having to do it to fast and worrying about explosions or to fast of a cure time.
Quote:
i live in central florida and parts south of us are well known as the crystal meth capital of the world.
i’m from “parts south of us”…and that’s all i’ll say about that.
Yes, you can put it in the micro, epoxy, poly, and AST(it is a requirement to micro it)…so there you go. I’d stick to solar res. …Late…
…UP SIDE…If you use your microwave range in this fasion,you may get good results.
…DOWN SIDE…The microwave range becomes a detenator…BOOM!
…The only this worst would be to leave a metal spoon in the bowl of resin while nuking it.Herb
…I Got it Good…
i wasnt trying to imply anything soulstice i was just trying to make a point that the tampa bay polk county lakeland area is the crystal meth capital of the world.
i was just trying to argue a point that putting resin in a mircowave may not be the greatest idea, and sometimes when you mix chemicals in a mircowave you get an awful big explosion.
i’m from south florida on the east coast…we’re more into the MDMA than meth…but either way, they both need labs. and i wasn’t suggesting any implication…in fact, you were pretty blunt…and i was agreeing with you!
i dont know if you saw it or not but last week off of the cape the coasties pulled in 4 boats with $150 million dollars worth of coke on it. the had to shoot out the engines before the guys finaly stoped.
sorry for the confusion on my part
nah, i didn’t know about that bust. although, every time i go to the bahamas i see balloons while crossing the gulf stream (one time we even saw a helicopter make a pick-up…there was a guy leaning out the helicopter door with an m-16…we motored outta there FAST). also, a lifeguard buddy of mine told me he found a brick that washed up on shore at my local break…i don’t doubt it for a second. i’ve seen cuban refugees make landfall…why not drugs, too?!
Turbohog, thanks for the great advice. I finished glassing the bottom of my board today, thanks to you!