Hi Folks

Some discoveries since I've started to fillet the "8"Ball. It has been in the high 90's and 100* every day this week and I've been trying to get some fillets in this hull. I've made 4-6oz. batches in the last 5 days and I've probably gotten 3 to 4 oz. of filler on the boat. What is there is not pretty. I have been trying different methods and have come up with mostly sad results. I started with mixing the silica and MB with the resin and then mixing in the slow hardener. It gave me about 7 minutes of working time, but, I found that I wasn't able to get a quality mix, trying to get the hardener into all the resin/filler. I got a creamy mix, but, about 1 to 2 minutes into my filleting, I started getting clumps in the mix. I was mixing it for over 1 and close to 2 minutes, until the bowl started getting warm. Second attempt, I mixed it the same way, only kept the mix thin, around the bowl bottom and sides. I got about 1 to 2 more minutes of working time, but, was still getting clumps. Third batch, I mixed the resin and hardener together first and then started mixing the filler materials in. My working time was about 3 to 4 minutes with this method and I threw away about 1/2 the mix, plus, I have a few rough places that will need some major sanding. Fourth batch, I did it the same way only got the ice packs out and placed them under the mixing bowl the intire time I worked it. I got an extra minute or two of working time, but, still lost a lot of material. I have the resin and hardener in the freezer at this time, and will take them out and try another batch before I quit this evening. I will mix the resin and hardener, then add the fillers with this method. I may have to stop and wait for better temps( at least down in the 80's ) before I continue. That would be long into the fall. Around mid-September. :( I'm using/wasting too much material this way. Plus, I'm making a lot of extra work for myself with the rough fillets. Ya know, Canada is lookin' really great right about now. Mostly, I'm just venting a little frustration, but, any other ideas would be welcome. Or just a word of sympathy and a pat on the back. :) Ho-Hum !! Back to the garage...... Better yet, I think I'll go bake Brownies. :) Gotta go..........

Rehd