Title is sort of self explanitory. I was building a couple of 2wt rods for my godkids for their birthdays coming up in December. I thought I had the reel seat pretty well taped up so I didn't get epoxy all over the reel seat but a pin hole broke through in the handle and oozed the epoxy into the reel seat and I didn't notice it untill the epoxy went bang and hardened. Now I can't put a reel in the dang thing!!!!!
Fortunatley, It was only a $30.00 Cabelas kit and not a $400.00 Winston blank. Does anybody have any ideas for removing hardened epoxy from the hood of a reel seat?
Thanks
BjR

Use a hair dryer to soften the epoxy. Use a credit card or your fingernail to scrape off the excess. If it is inside of the sleeve where the reelfoot is secured (don't know the "official" terminology), then a thin nail-file or the foot of a reel might remove enough excess to form fit. I would also tape the reel seat to protect the surface from tool marks or scratches.
Patrick Vernacchio

The nail file was the tool of choice for me also when it happened to me ONCE. I heated it up with a Bic and kept at it for a while until it was almost all gone, there was still a small amount left , but the reel fit . One reason to use Rod Bond and not the 5 min. stuff . You can monitor the Rod Bond on the plate you mixed it on , and check the seat from time to time and make sure the glue dosen't migrate where it's not wanted. The little sharp hook on the nail file lets you get into the corners of the hood nicely . Good luck , shouldn't be a big deal.
John

There probably isn't one person here on teh boards who this hasn't happened to...ONCE. lol.

10-4 on that, Billy. Wish it had only happened once. But it won't ever happen again as long as I don't run out of Rod Bond. This stuff doesn't migrate. Put it together, clean off any that I got on the parts during assembly, and walk away. I love this stuff!!

Putter

A dental pick works great for this kind of thing. You can get a cheap one at a pharmacy or Walmart.

yes ......thanks for the ideas campers. After I initially posted this topic I was in one of our local fly fishing emporiums here in Seattle and one of the fellows in the shop suggested I take a dental pick and heat the pick up over a candle or a alcohol burner and while the pick is hot ....but not glowing red , you can dig out the excess epoxy pretty good. I came home and tried it and it worked like a champ. The only thing I would do differently is I would tape off the rest of the reel seat as Patrick suggested.
I'm new to this forum and I'm glad to have all of your acquaintances and look forward to improving my skills from the collective wisdom of this board.
Thanks
BjR

Brad, the reason this happened in the first place was because the area contaminated by the epoxy was hidden under the tape. Try it without the tape next time, especially if using Rod Bond. Then you can keep a good eye on everything as it sets up.

Errant epoxy has happened to me too. I usually assemble the handle assembly all at once - ie., rear grip, reel seat, then foregrip. I line everything up and let it set for 24 hours, but first 1-2 hours after final assembly and cleanup I come back and look over the assembly real close to make sure none of the past epoxy has oozed out. Many times I have found small amounts for epoxy paste have wormed out from between the grips and reel seat, but its real easy cleaning it up while its not cured.

Lou

I've never heard of Rod Bond before. I learned using 5 minute epoxy and have to get everthing all put together real fast and go like @#$%&. that sounds like stuff I want to try. Is it a Flex coat product?
BjR

Brad,
Rod bond is not a Flex coat product. I get mine from Mud Hole link at your left. Thanks Marcel ps great stuff

Rod Bond is a U40 product (like LS Supreme and Permagloss).

Putter