14 Nov
2010
14 Nov
'10
6:19 p.m.
Sodium ethoxide is the thing to use for epoxy. Horribly caustic but
easy to make by *SLOWLY* dissolving lye pellets in denatured ethyl
alcohol (let the solution cool before adding the next pellet!).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_ethoxide
An alternative is to soak the epoxy block in a bucket of "aircraft
stripper" (available at most auto parts stores) for a couple of
weeks. Makes the epoxy rubbery and easy to carve away. However, it
also dissolves paint and plastic.
--Chuck