How To: How Can Epoxy Improve Your DIY Projects?

Are you working on some DIY projects and looking for ideas to make things go more smoothly?

Why Use Cable Ties for Stitching?

When it comes to stitch-and-glue boat construction, the traditional method involves using copper for stitching. But Hanneke Boon from James Wharram Designs suggests a different approach: cable ties. “They’re cheap, easy to use, and softer than copper wire,” she explains.

And if you’re set on using copper wire? Hanneke has a resourceful tip: “You can remove copper windings from old electric motors.”

How Can a Caulking Gun Improve Filleting?

Hanneke also shared a clever trick for making filleting easier. “When you’re making fillets, leaning into the boat can distort the finish. The stem of a boat can be particularly tricky to reach,” she says. “So we clean out an empty caulking cartridge, fill it with epoxy, and use it as a fine nozzle. It’s much easier to reach into tight places this way, and the results are fantastic.”

Can a T-Shirt Fix a Boat Cover?

Our own technical expert, Gary Thompson, recently came up with a brilliant solution for repairing a boat cover that was damaged in a storm. “I cleaned the cover thoroughly, then cut an old t-shirt into strips and wet it out using G/flex® 650 epoxy. I applied it to the tear with peel ply,” he shares. “The result is strong, waterproof, flexible, and cost-effective.”

What If I Don’t Have Vacuum Equipment for Laminating?

If you’re an amateur boatbuilder without access to vacuum equipment for laminating, don’t worry. Hanneke has a solution: “We use weights like water tanks and jerry cans, which we stand on top of whatever we’re laminating. We laminated a beautiful balsa curved cabin that way.”