Packable cooler for Glue in the summer

Anyone have a solid recommendation for a cooler to pack in your glue with ice during the hot months? Soft shell seems like the best option.

Ended up buying some AC100 Gold to try again, and it sets up faster than A7+. Still have a few tubes that I want to use up, but dont want the hassle of burning that much glue and that many nozzles. A7+ seems to have about a minute in hot weather, and AC100 Gold has about 30-40 secs. Pretty big difference.

Any cheapo soft cooler bag will work - I like the ones that are more for groceries (Think mine is from Costco).  I put my glue in a small fridge running a bit warm (45ish) overnight.  Glue and Ice packs go in in the morning along with my water (also chilled) for more thermal mass.  I did A7+ yesterday (10 holes straight) and it was mid 90s.  Don't let the sun hit it on the wall and monitor the nozzle and your time.  Agree - about a minute with A7+ once it warms a bit.  

Each hole and you have progressively LESS time.  Hole 1 is the first mix but you don't empty the nozzle with new glue for each hole (ie the amount you push out doesn't = the volume in the nozzle entirely)  This means that some glue is mixing near the top of the nozzle for hole "A" won't get pressed out until hole "B" etc etc.  That surplus glue is already heating up and as holes go by, you have less and less time (AND your cartridge is also warming).  I start to squeeze a bit out into my bag after 4 holes or so when it's hot to keep it moving.  Even then, you get stuck now and then

mattmwrote: Any cheapo soft cooler bag will work - I like the ones that are more for groceries (Think mine is from Costco).  I put my glue in a small fridge running a bit warm (45ish) overnight.  Glue and Ice packs go in in the morning along with my water (also chilled) for more thermal mass.  I did A7+ yesterday (10 holes straight) and it was mid 90s.  Don't let the sun hit it on the wall and monitor the nozzle and your time.  Agree - about a minute with A7+ once it warms a bit.  

Each hole and you have progressively LESS time.  Hole 1 is the first mix but you don't empty the nozzle with new glue for each hole (ie the amount you push out doesn't = the volume in the nozzle entirely)  This means that some glue is mixing near the top of the nozzle for hole "A" won't get pressed out until hole "B" etc etc.  That surplus glue is already heating up and as holes go by, you have less and less time (AND your cartridge is also warming).  I start to squeeze a bit out into my bag after 4 holes or so when it's hot to keep it moving.  Even then, you get stuck now and then

Thanks. That's some good advice. I also have 4 of those freeze/microwave packs that I can freeze the night before to add to the ice. I'll look around for the soft coolers. I'll add a link to the glue in supply page if I find a good one.

mattmwrote: 
Each hole and you have progressively LESS time.  Hole 1 is the first mix but you don't empty the nozzle with new glue for each hole (ie the amount you push out doesn't = the volume in the nozzle entirely)  This means that some glue is mixing near the top of the nozzle for hole "A" won't get pressed out until hole "B" etc etc.  That surplus glue is already heating up and as holes go by, you have less and less time (AND your cartridge is also warming).  I start to squeeze a bit out into my bag after 4 holes or so when it's hot to keep it moving.  Even then, you get stuck now and then

I'm guessing you're mostly placing them on rap and not jugging? Seems like it could be a pain when some of your directionals have to be hooks, but I can't see jugging working out in that heat time wise.

Matthew Jaggerswrote:

Thanks. That's some good advice. I also have 4 of those freeze/microwave packs that I can freeze the night before to add to the ice. I'll look around for the soft coolers. I'll add a link to the glue in supply page if I find a good one.

This might be kind of strange to execute, but if you can somehow strap your freeze packs around the cartridge and especially around the nozzle when you're gluing, you could dramatically increase your working time. 

I don't have much experience with the 2 part systems used in this application, but my job revolves around 2 part silicones which use similar cartridges and static mix nozzles. The silicone that I use regularly has a working time (in the mixing nozzle) of about 7-10 minutes from the time that I stop dispensing material, depending on ambient temperature (the difference between 70 and 80 degrees ambient temperature is pretty substantial for working time.) If I start with a cartridge from the freezer and immediately return the cartridge/tip combo to the freezer after I am done dispensing, I can still get material to flow through the nozzle up to 48 hours later. I've had mix nozzles in use for weeks at a time doing this. Granted, I have to purge about 2x the nozzle volume when I come back to an old cold nozzle, but it still works.

I know that it's not an apples to apples comparison, but if freezing the used nozzle extends the working life of my silicone from ~10 minutes to ~48 hours, maybe you can extend the working life of your mixing nozzle from 1ish minute to 8ish minutes?

Also, as far as soft coolers are concerned, I now have 3 Ozark Trail softies (from WalMart) in my collection - a 6 can, 12 can, and 50 can. They were all kind of impulse purchases, but they all work great and the price is right.

I recently got the small ones to take out paddleboarding, and after 6+ hours in 80 degree heat out on the water, both of the small coolers still have ice in them. I was thinking about a Yeti Hopper ($299, yikes!) and then set my sights lower to RTIC ($70ish for a 12 can), and on a whim went to wally-world and walked out with the 6 can and 12 can Ozark Trail coolers for less than $50 total. The 50 can cooler was like $60, and seems to be really well built. I don't know, i'm not really hanging my life on my coolers so it seems kind of crazy to fork out for even an RTIC when you can have two comparable coolers for less.

Gregory Hwrote:

This might be kind of strange to execute, but if you can somehow strap your freeze packs around the cartridge and especially around the nozzle when you're gluing, you could dramatically increase your working time. 

I don't have much experience with the 2 part systems used in this application, but my job revolves around 2 part silicones which use similar cartridges and static mix nozzles. The silicone that I use regularly has a working time (in the mixing nozzle) of about 7-10 minutes from the time that I stop dispensing material, depending on ambient temperature (the difference between 70 and 80 degrees ambient temperature is pretty substantial for working time.) If I start with a cartridge from the freezer and immediately return the cartridge/tip combo to the freezer after I am done dispensing, I can still get material to flow through the nozzle up to 48 hours later. I've had mix nozzles in use for weeks at a time doing this. Granted, I have to purge about 2x the nozzle volume when I come back to an old cold nozzle, but it still works.

I know that it's not an apples to apples comparison, but if freezing the used nozzle extends the working life of my silicone from ~10 minutes to ~48 hours, maybe you can extend the working life of your mixing nozzle from 1ish minute to 8ish minutes?

Cant wrap the nozzle, because it has to be inserted into the hole, but i could wrap those freeze packs around the whole caulk gun. That's a good idea if using a cooler doesnt buy me the time I need. Realistically I need to get like a 10% increase, as I'm moving pretty fast. I miss winter!

And I'll check out what walmart has to offer. Thanks man.

Nick Drakewrote:

I'm guessing you're mostly placing them on rap and not jugging? Seems like it could be a pain when some of your directionals have to be hooks, but I can't see jugging working out in that heat time wise.

Actually. Mostly jugging. About 90’ routes give or take. Not super steep which is a whole other PITA. I use hooks on an adjustable tether to help position on slightly overhanging terrain. I just have my systems really dialed. I probably run about 90s bolt to next bolt (30 to jug and 60 to place). 

mattmwrote:

Actually. Mostly jugging. About 90’ routes give or take. Not super steep which is a whole other PITA. I use hooks on an adjustable tether to help position on slightly overhanging terrain. I just have my systems really dialed. I probably run about 90s bolt to next bolt (30 to jug and 60 to place). 

I knew I sucked at jugging, but now it's official haha. Most of what I'm doing is just moderately overhung, might be able to speed things up now that I got some actual aiders though.

https://icemulecoolers.com/collections/icemule-jaunt/products/the-icemule-jaunt?variant=19990759276637

I got fed up with lugging a cooler bag around so made some sleeves from 3 layers of 5mm Aerogel blanket and velcro that I had around and just chuck the tubes in my pack, works up to the mid-90's no problem. Use them for my beer as well.

Jim Tittwrote:

I got fed up with lugging a cooler bag around so made some sleeves from 3 layers of 5mm Aerogel blanket and velcro that I had around and just chuck the tubes in my pack, works up to the mid-90's no problem. Use them for my beer as well.

Found some pieces on eBay.  Super dusty.  Do you enclose them in a bag?  Seems like putting them in a Ziplock and then duct taping it closed would be best.  

Nick Drakewrote:

I knew I sucked at jugging, but now it's official haha. Most of what I'm doing is just moderately overhung, might be able to speed things up now that I got some actual aiders though.

I run a single ascender with regular 5 step aider and then a GriGri.  This, combined with the BD Bosuns Seat has been amazing for long hours in the air.  The Bosun Chair should be mandatory for route work. I clip the chair loops directly into the master biner on the GriGri (straps pulled short) so the weight is all on the GriGri/Chair. The back of my legs and veins thank me.

mattmwrote:

I run a single ascender with regular 5 step aider and then a GriGri.  This, combined with the BD Bosuns Seat has been amazing for long hours in the air.  The Bosun Chair should be mandatory for route work. I clip the chair loops directly into the master biner on the GriGri (straps pulled short) so the weight is all on the GriGri/Chair. The back of my legs and veins thank me.

Perfect!  This is what I do too, but my seat is home made.    And all the gear except the hammer is clipped to the seat, not hanging on me.   Combined with using Hilti RE-500v3, with a 20 minute gel time at 80F, I have a nice, relaxed bolting experience: one pass from the bottom up.   Coolers are for beer.

mattmwrote:

Found some pieces on eBay.  Super dusty.  Do you enclose them in a bag?  Seems like putting them in a Ziplock and then duct taping it closed would be best.  

The stuff I had was stitched between layers of Nomex as it was from heat-shielding bits of a gas turbine I'd installed, guess any old cloth would do really but waterproof would maybe help against any condensation as we are talking about cold.

The cooler I posted just arrived. The 9L is a bit bulky, but it would hold all the glue and ice for 3 or 4 routes if you were bolting with your buddies, and it is in a backpack style setup that can be attached to my bigger pack. At $70, it's a bit of an investment, but unfortunately is a necessity because the best time to bolt are the hottest and coldest months of the year. So, ill use this bag with hand warmers in it in the winter, and frozen packs or ice in the summer. Definitely stoked not to burn through nozzels anymore on 100* days when bolting in the steep.

John Byrneswrote:

Perfect!  This is what I do too, but my seat is home made.    And all the gear except the hammer is clipped to the seat, not hanging on me.   Combined with using Hilti RE-500v3, with a 20 minute gel time at 80F, I have a nice, relaxed bolting experience: one pass from the bottom up.   Coolers are for beer.

John, are you rocking the old Annihilator?

nbrownwrote:

John, are you rocking the old Annihilator?

In that photo, yes.  Sold it later that year (2013) and got a Bosch 11536C which is, of course, a nice upgrade.

mattmwrote:

I run a single ascender with regular 5 step aider and then a GriGri.  This, combined with the BD Bosuns Seat has been amazing for long hours in the air.  The Bosun Chair should be mandatory for route work. I clip the chair loops directly into the master biner on the GriGri (straps pulled short) so the weight is all on the GriGri/Chair. The back of my legs and veins thank me.

Thanks for the rundown and picture. I like this set up and having the chair clipped directly to the grigri. Right now I've been using a plywood bosuns chair that I made out of some scrap and had it clipped to an ascender separately with grigri direct to the belay loop. Your setup sounds much more efficient not messing with the two separately and just weighting the chair full time. Think I'll try that out before doing some steeper routes this winter.