Cher, and Silica Filler

[davebrown]

So today I went into the local upscale chain woodworking store, W.Craft, and I was assaulted by Cher, or some version of what used to be Cher at one time, 90 or so operations ago, belting out the query of whether I Believe In Love.

This was disconcerting in itself, but then when I went over to the 'pox section, I observed that a quart container of silica filler is SIXTEEN DOLLARS.

Is this right?

I don't mean the Cher part.

It then occured to me that Cher might be responsible in some way for this. I can't imagine how much silica filler Cher actually has used in 300 years on this planet, but I am sure it is more than the amateur boatbuilding community uses.

[JimConlin]

Stay out of those places.
A five gallon tub of Cabosil should cost about $40.

[Gold Rock]

Volume is everything. I assume we're talking about fumed silica, a.k.a. colloidal silica? Cab-o-sil is a trade name for the afore mentioned. Very, very fine, very light, white colored particulate for thickening? I finished a round of work on my own plastic hulled boat last year and went through four 5 oz. containers of this stuff (West System 406) @ $19.00 a pop! Wow! Then one day the sales rep from a laminates supply company comes by our work place. Does he sell fumed silica? Sure! One pound for ten bucks, 5 Kg. (11.1 lbs.) for $70, and a 10 kilo (22.2 lb.) bag for $90! After a little thought, I bought a 10 kilo bag. Now, think about it; I already used $76 worth of the stuff over a few week span and didn't consider it significant consumption at all. Bedded a few hull fittings, faired some spots on the hull, mixed up some more for adhesive for a variety of tasks. The breakdown: 4 x 5 oz.= 20 oz. for a total of $76 comes to $3.80/ounce. 10 Kg = 22.2 lbs. = 355.2 oz. for $90 comes to $0.253/oz. That's more than fifteen times cheaper! Now we're talkin'. If kept in a suitably controlled climate, which most of us can easily accomodate, it has virtually no shelf life. What's more, it represents more than most of us will ever use. Give some to your friends, you'll be the hit of the party. How much is a 10 kilo bag? Next time you're in a pet supply store, look at the bags of feed, the big ones, no, the BIG ones for the guy with the Great Dane. That's about how big. Finally, if you do the math, either of the other two options I listed (one lb. and 5 Kg.) represent price savings of the "no brainer" magnitude. Real estate may crow "location, location, location", but with shop consumables it's "volume, volume, volume".

[davebrown]

1. Thank you for the replies. So I suspected. Any reference for buying a bulk bag? 2. I don't know what to do about Cher in an upscale woodworking store. For god's sake. It's the decline of western civilization.

[Gold Rock]

I got my stuff through Fiberlay Inc., but that's just because they're a supplier to the company I work for. Any laminate supply outfit should have the ability to offer the same kind of options. And I sincerely pray that Cher's using silicone and not silica. Silica would make for a sort of "bean bag chair" effect... OK, let's not go there.

[Eddiebou]

Yeah, what the hell is wrong with marketing strategists anyway. Everywhere you go, you're bombarded with "music". You can't even step outside and get away from it. They've got speakers hidden in the grass and rocks every 25 feet! I hate these places that are geared toward "attracting sales". It's enough to make you just leave (empty handed) and go to the nearest bar. And christmas is just around the corner, Cheers!.