Ready Steady Eddy

[Wobblycogs]

It's interesting you say you'll make it hot in the shed as I was just wondering whether it would be better to make the environment warmer or cooler. The mixture will certainly start of with a lower viscosity if it's warmer but it will also set faster as well (a rule of thumb from chemistry is a reaction will go twice as fast for every 10 deg C warmer) which means there is less time for it to find a level everywhere. I can't help feeling you'd be better off working with it as cold as you can to give it time to spread out before it sets. It says it'll cure down to 8 deg C if you are willing to accept a reduction in mechanical strength. Might be worth an experiment, make up a small amount cold and pour it onto a piece of scrap, see how far it spreads then repeat with a warm batch / environment.

[njhussey]

It's interesting you say you'll make it hot in the shed as I was just wondering whether it would be better to make the environment warmer or cooler. The mixture will certainly start of with a lower viscosity if it's warmer but it will also set faster as well (a rule of thumb from chemistry is a reaction will go twice as fast for every 10 deg C warmer) which means there is less time for it to find a level everywhere.

See the Chemistry did come in useful!!

I can't help feeling you'd be better off working with it as cold as you can to give it time to spread out before it sets. It says it'll cure down to 8 deg C if you are willing to accept a reduction in mechanical strength.

My shed will be ideal then as it's bl***y freezing in there at the moment!!!
I'll do mine in the test bay at work, there's one bay used for storage that's colder than the rest but still above 10°C I'd guess.

Might be worth an experiment, make up a small amount cold and pour it onto a piece of scrap, see how far it spreads then repeat with a warm batch / environment.

I'll be doing that for sure before committing to the real thing. I wonder if you can gradually increase the ambient temperature once it's had 12 hours or so to find the level so that you get the best of both worlds?!

[Clive S]

I think you should be careful re the temperature read the link to the wests system and it shows that it must not be cold, also I would check with your supply what the shrinkage and compression strength is of their product as there is not a lot of info on their data sheet. Don't forget to seal the inside of the trough because if you have any leaks it won't leave a level surface. Good luck. ..Clive