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Sugru introduced the idea to a different group of people that they could fix/"hack" physical stuff to make it work better, or to improve it. it's nothing new

by nodata 13y ago

Sugru introduced the idea to a different group of people that they could fix/"hack" physical stuff to make it work better, or to improve it. it's nothing new Can you name a few of the other products then? I've honestly never heard of them. Same temperature range, bonding properties, etc?

goldenkey 13y ago
There's a million types of putties for various uses. They're usually not marketed largely because of their niche industrial use. Silicone isn't the only material either. Antique restorers will be more knowledgable about this kind of stuff than most people as different putties are used for different materials (bronze,copper,brass,wood,etc.)
- epo 13y ago
  In other words, you can't name them either.
  - goldenkey 13y ago
    Seriously, on Hacker News you are going to post that contemptuous drivel? https://www.google.com/search?q=silicone+epoxy+putty https://www.google.com/search?q=silicone+epoxy+putty
neilk 13y ago
I'm not an expert, but I found a lot just by Googling for "repair putty -sugru" or "epoxy putty -sugru". There's even a Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epoxy_putty https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epoxy_putty However, this only highlights the product innovation that Sugru seems to be bringing here. All the products I could find were binary; there was a mixing step. Most are designed for use by professionals, and you might need gloves to work with them. Most are more specific in their use case, like particular putties for marine repair or ceramics or wood or what have you. Sugru seems to work right out of the packet. The product seems designed to cure to a hardness that is a little bit structural but still rubbery, with a surface that people find pleasant to handle. When it comes to chemical compounds, it is pretty rare to invent something wholly new. (Just as it is in software, I might add.) Crafting the right product for the right applications, envisioning a completely new market and actually reaching those customers - that's what makes all the difference.

by nodata 13y ago

goldenkey 13y ago

There's a million types of putties for various uses. They're usually not marketed largely because of their niche industrial use. Silicone isn't the only material either. Antique restorers will be more knowledgable about this kind of stuff than most people as different putties are used for different materials (bronze,copper,brass,wood,etc.)

epo 13y ago
In other words, you can't name them either.
- goldenkey 13y ago
  Seriously, on Hacker News you are going to post that contemptuous drivel? https://www.google.com/search?q=silicone+epoxy+putty https://www.google.com/search?q=silicone+epoxy+putty

neilk 13y ago

I'm not an expert, but I found a lot just by Googling for "repair putty -sugru" or "epoxy putty -sugru". There's even a Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epoxy_putty https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epoxy_putty However, this only highlights the product innovation that Sugru seems to be bringing here. All the products I could find were binary; there was a mixing step. Most are designed for use by professionals, and you might need gloves to work with them. Most are more specific in their use case, like particular putties for marine repair or ceramics or wood or what have you. Sugru seems to work right out of the packet. The product seems designed to cure to a hardness that is a little bit structural but still rubbery, with a surface that people find pleasant to handle. When it comes to chemical compounds, it is pretty rare to invent something wholly new. (Just as it is in software, I might add.) Crafting the right product for the right applications, envisioning a completely new market and actually reaching those customers - that's what makes all the difference.