I have been doing the pro shop work for the local bowling center for about a year now after retiring from a career in laboratory management. I have also been a hobbyist woodworker for 20+ years. I have developed several shop techniques (which others may or may not be using), and would like to share with other operators by opening this thread for sharing tips. I will kick it off with the following tip, and will share others if you are willing to share yours.
SMALL QUANTITIES OF PLUG MATERIAL:
Plug material comes as a two part epoxy with calibrated pumps. The brand I use requires one pump of each, which the label on the bottle states to be 1 oz of resin to 1/3 oz of hardener. That's great if you always need 1 1/3 oz of the final mixed plug material, but I find that often I need either a very small quantity to fix a gouge or crack (yes, I've tried the "quick-fix" materials, but have not had real good results) or need slightly more than 1 1/3 oz for a thumb hole or finger holes. The important factor in mixing odd quantities is to use a ratio of 3 volumes of resin to 1 volume of hardener. Go to WalMart and buy a set of metal measuring spoons for about $1 (or steal one from your wife's kitchen if you have the nerve). There will be several spoons, ranging in size from 1/4 tsp to 1 tbs. If you need a very small quantity, use three 1/4 tsp volumes of resin to one 1/4 tsp volume of hardener. Mix carefully, because it is easy to get air entrainment with this small a quantity, and use as you would use any plug material. For preparing quantities of mix between one pump of each and two pumps of each, use one pump of the resin, add three extra quantities (example, three 1 tsp quantities) of resin, then add your colors as usual. When you add the hardener, use one pump plus one extra quantity (for our example, 1 tsp), then mix and use as always. Wipe the measuring spoon clean with a paper towel before storing.
At the cost of the plug materials, this is a good money saver. -- JohnP
