I followed someone here's advice, and cut up some old credit cards to make epoxy applicators. Cut some straight, some angled, some pointed...

In the end, I have had my very best success with a credit card cut up into strips with simple square tips.

I have them various widths, from about 1/4" wide up to a whole credit card. Now I apply and level an ENTIRE wrap in a single pass! No bubbles, and MAN is it fast! So fast it's nuts! Very easy to control how much goes on, and just as easy to take it off.

To those having trouble with bubbles or getting your epoxy on fast enough, give this a shot. Maybe it will work for you.


Sorry that I can't rember exactly who it was that gave me this suggestion, but THANK YOU!!!!!

TH

I have a buddie that has been useing business cards for over 6 years.. I have not tried it, but I might someday.. Thanks Dave's Rods

How do you apply your epoxy? Do you spread it on first with a brush, or drop it on in blobs across the rod before you use the credit card. By the way, I cut a circular pattern in the credit card and it fits over the circular rod. Works good also. It avoids a flat surface and forces excess down the card faster.
Sanford

Sanford,

I take the size applicator that comes closest to the width of the wraps, and scoop up some epoxy.

Turning the rod in my fingers, I hold the applicator at a 90* angle to the rod and touch it to the the wraps and turn. One revolution covers the entire wrap! The next revolution spreads and levels the epoxy, or takes it off, depending on how hard you press. But you can control PERFECTLY how much you take off or leave by how hard you press. And NO bubbles are ever added to the system.

It is so easy that I almost feel like I'm cheating! I'm able to do all of my wraps in the time it used to take to do 2 or three with the brush.

I'm a happy man!

TH

Sanford,

I just re-read your post, and I realize that you are applying your epoxy long ways, up and down the blank. (hence the need for the curved edge)

Leave the card flat, and hold it to the blank sideways. Imagine that your blank is a roll of toilet paper, and the credit card is paper coming off the top of the roll.

Get the idea?

Now, when you are applying epoxy, scoop a little onto the end of the applicator, and apply it to the rod in the way described above. One revolution will cover the entire wrap, depending on how wide your applicator is. Press hard, and you can take it right back off.

Now do you see why I am cutting the width of the applicator to the approximate width of the wraps?

TH

I hope that came across the right way. Sometimes typing is a difficult way to convey thoughts.

I'm going to take some pictures and post the link soon.

TH

Tony,

Might you be referring to my post: [www.rodbuilding.org]

If you are, you are welcome and I am glad my tip helped you alot. If not, ignore this stupid message. :-)

I just tried it this weekend. Just like Tony said -- quick and easy. Works for me.

Jim,

Glad it worked for you!



Mr Sinbad, YES! You are the one that gave me that GREAT tip!
I thank you very, VERY much! This method makes it that much easier. The bubbles never get started.

TH