Hi,

I need help with ball plugging.  I use Lane Concepts ball plug.  I keep it indoors, always at the approximate temperatures.  My problem usually is that the plug sometimes (more than 50% of the time), doesn't completely harden.

I used to use the plungers to use 3 squirts of resin to 1 squirt of hardener, but those plungers always seem unreliable.  The first squirt isn't always a full one, and since I am only giving hardener one shot, I have to waste a throw away, before getting a full amount.

I started using a measuring cup and measuring out 3 parts resin to 1 part hardener, but still I have trouble with them setting up.

Any suggestions?  Does the stuff go bad?  Do I have to try to mix (Shake) the hardener or the resin up before pouring it in the mixing cup?  I wouldn't think so.  I'm tired of having to redrill the unset resin mix as well.  What a pain in the butt.

I always follow the instructions explicitly, and have tried to add a little more hardener ... like 1.5 parts, but still its a 50/50 chance of it setting up.

Any help out there?  I am not even mixing in color, just clear.

Thanks for the reply.  I don't think it's temperature.  I have a small proshop and don't plug too often, so I'm guessing it's just old.  But I've really always had this problem, even when the plug is new.

And not to get all scientific and all, but I was under the impression that the 3-1 mix was by volume and not weight.  If the plug and hardener have the same density, then they are the same.  But if one is more dense than the other, then 3-1 volume won't equal 3-1 on the scale.  Since your method works, perhaps I'm the one who is wrong, but I'm pretty sure those pumps have to work on volume.  And I agree, the pumps are not good.

I spoke to the Lane Concepts people and the guy suggested a 5-2 ratio ... a little more hardener.  He thought the shelf life was pretty long although his company did not really test the stuff to see how long it can last.  I'm gonna try that out.

I'm in Virginia.  I currently drill out of my garage, but I keep the plug in my laundry room ... climate controlled like the rest of the house.  The guy from Lane Concepts seemed to be more concerned about low temperatures than high temperatures.  Which isn't a concern for in my case.

I have been drilling for about 10 years or more, but probably only drill 20-30 balls a year, and maybe plug 3-5 a year.

Is there a good way to clean up the leftover plug.  I usually use a paper towel(s) and discard after the fact.  The plug seems to get on everything, and smells awful as well.

I know first hand how awful these pumps get. The only true pumps i ever seem to get is when they're new. Sometimes the opening gets a little clogged up and stops you from getting a good pump. Every once in a while I'll stick a wire hanger into the opening to make sure it's clear. Other times when they start being less full, you start to get air in there, and that stops you form getting a good pump too.

When I'm not sure if I have the right amounts, I will just stir it for a while and make sure it starts getting warm. If it does, its usually ok.

Also, I'll usually clean up the sticky plug with acetone or nail polish remover that we have in spray bottles. Either one works pretty well.