Accurately Measuring Epoxy
Proportions with a Shop-Made Balance



By Philip Zhivago

Using this balance, which you can make yourself, you can accurately and conve-niently measure the amount of epoxy that you want. No more oversized batches. You can measure out a thimbleful if that’s all you need. No more sweating over the accuracy of the mix when the pump spits out an air bubble and lurches down.

To measure out a batch, put the amount of resin you expect to use into the cup. Place the resin weight on the threaded rod and adjust its position until it counter-balances the resin in the cup. Place the appropriate catalyst weight (for the type of catalyst you are using) on top of the resin weight. Add catalyst to the cup until the balance is horizontal again. That’s it. Stir away.


The photographs in this article show two different balances. The smaller one, with the wood parts made from mahogany, uses 3-ounce disposable cups, available in grocery stores. It has measured the epoxy for dozens of projects, and has been very satisfying to use. The larger balance takes an 8- ounce cup and is made from spruce.

Making The Cup Loop

The loop that holds the cup is made from a coat hanger. The heavier the wire, the better. You will need something to bend the loop around, a bit small-er in diameter than the cup, to allow for springback. Bend a length of coat hanger wire around the form, a bit more than a full turn. Adjust the bend slightly to fit the cup, if necessary.

Using pliers, bend one leg out, to run along the threaded rod. Place the wire around a cup. Grip the wire at the right place to bend the second leg. Remove the cup and bend the second leg into place. The cup should drop in easily, and seat solidly on its rim.





Temporarily attach the loop to a 2-foot length of threaded rod, using nylon wire ties, some wire, string, or whatever you’ve got. Test it to make sure the cup fits, then epoxy the legs of the loop to the threaded rod.

A 10-24 rod is strong enough for a 3-ounce cup. A 12-24 or 1/4-28 rod would be better for an 8-ounce cup. A 1/4-20 thread would give up some accuracy due to its coarseness. A 24-TPI rod gives a nice adjustment increment. It is easy to tell when you are in the closest notch to balance, and the precision of the adjustment gives you confidence in the accuracy of the mix. When mixing small batches, this precision makes last-drop accuracy routine.



Making The Pivot

The pivot block is made from a scrap of three-quarter-inch wood, about an inch and a quarter by an inch and three quarters. The bottom is beveled to form an edge that can rest on your finger for rough balancing. Holes are drilled for the threaded rod and the bent-coat hanger suspension hook. The threaded rod should be as low as practical, and the hook hole just above it. The hook hole should be just a little bit larg-er in diameter than the coat hanger wire. The friction this crude pivot provides is helpful in damping the swing, and is easily overcome with a little wiggle for final trim.
Zhivago Balance (continued)
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Epoxyworks 20 / Fall 2002

Copyright © 2002, Gougeon Brothers, Inc. All rights reserved.
This page is maintained by Gougeon Brothers, Inc. Last Modified on 10/28/02.
Reproduction in any form, in whole or in part, is expressly forbidden without the consent of the publisher. EPOXYWORKS, Gougeon Brothers, WEST SYSTEM, Episize, Scarffer and Microlight as used throughout this publication, are trademarks of Gougeon Brothers, Inc., Bay City, Michigan, USA.