Re: Epoxy?

[PNWSpeyFlyTyr]

Kent/Gang,

Assuming you don't tie on a rotary vice,  I would recommend buying a dryer specifically for epoxy.  I have built a few dryers and the only downfall is the noise...
Commercial ones are a lot less quiet and doesn't bother the SO and me having to leave the flies in the garage to cure improperly (unless it is summer time).    
I don't bother with rotation devices unless I am mass producing (5 or more dozen) flies at a time.  Even then, I use 30 minute epoxy for the big jobs.   For 5 minute jobs, I mix the epoxy for one minute or so.  During the next few minutes, I ensure all stray material is out of the way.  Prior to the epoxy setting apply while it is still workable and rotate the fly in my vise.  Cure time is 2 - 6 hours depending on how warm the house is.  Ideal temps are 65 - 70 degrees.

If your flies are sticky after the 6 hours (a max for 5 min epoxy) the mixture wasn't even.  Your flies can still be fished in a couple of days or so.  It eventually hardens properly.

Here are a couple tips for epoxy:

1) The longer the cure time, the longer it is going to take before the epoxy "yellows."       
2) Want a faster set/cure time?  Mix the epoxy on tin foil and apply a heat source under the tin foil.  Not only does this remove the bubbles, but it accelerates the set time by a chemical reaction of the heat.

Devcon can be purchased at Lowe's, Home Depot or Kmart.  Cost is roughly 2.70 a tube.  

John Abbott