: I just got a copy of Defender's 2001 catalog in the mail and noticed in their
: section on caulking materials that they had empty caulking cartidges for
: sale. I think thery were under a dollar. I'm sure such things are
: available at paint or hardware stores -- if not on a regular basis, then
: on special order.

: The question is, then: Has anyone tried using a caulking gun and a clean
: cartridge filled with thickened epoxy for making small fillets?

: My thought is that the tip of the cartridge tube would be cut so that the
: bead that was applied would be smoothed as it went on, in much the same
: way that caulking materials are put on. The tip looks like it is a
: polyetylene type plastic so it should slide over the epoxy fairly well.
: Besides, it gets replaced when you go on to the next tube.

: A tube of caulking gives a bead that can go for 20 to 30 feet. With this in
: mind, you would need one empty cartridge for each full-length seam on a
: S&G boat. Add on a couple more for fillets on bulkheads.

: This *should* be a neat process. Mix the filler and resin, spoon it into the
: tube, tap the tube to relace big air bubbles, and press in the end cap on
: the cartridge. Drop the cartridge in your caulking gun, and away you go.
: When the filler runs out you dump the cartridge, mess and all.

: PGJ ..

I did read a thread somewhere from someone that has been using this method and they said that the empty cartridges were easy to re-use also because the epoxy can be pulled out of the tube after it hardens much like you can do with a mixing cup.. addison.