I've heard that some of you people are using rod bond with coloring to make winding checks. I'm currently building a no 4grip rod and instead of using 3 vinyl winding checks I would really appreciate it if smoeone could send me a pic of what a rod bond winding check looks like. I could always use a little more color in my rods. Thank you for any help, and have a merry Christmas. bryan

Check your email Bryan.

Tom Church

I tried rod bond but it wasn't as smooth as I would have liked. I have better luck with Flex Coat or other rod finish with color added. I just load up a spatula and apply it to the end of the rod grip and just build it up gently until I get the fill and angle that I want. Throw it on the dryer and let it turn until cured. I also angle the blank so it tilts toward the grip slightly. This prevents the finish from running down the rod.

I've noticed that the cure time seems to be much shorter when I add color to the Flex Coat.

Good luck.

Terry

Bryan,
If you will use the folowing proceedure you will end up with what appears to be a winding check that blends smoothly right into your decorative wrap.
Put a single winding check on the rod right up against the fore cork. Wrap with thread about 1/4'to 3/8" in front of the winding check, I usually use black thread which is the same color as the winding check. Then while the rod is turning and you are applying epoxy to the rod let your brush, or whatever you use as a guide epoxy applicator, touch about half way up the winding check. Then apply additional epoxy at the interface between the winding check and the rod until there is a smooth transition. When the epoxy sets up you will have what appears to be a winding check that goes from the cork to the decorative wrap in a smooth transition and appears to take on the color of the underlying thread wrap.

Try five minute epoxy. It will be much easier to shape than Rod Bond and will set up much quicker than wrapping finish. I've never colored it but I don't know why that would make a difference....it might even extend the set-up time a little. You can heat it and clean it off if it gets away from you. You might want to practice on a scrap blank but once you do it one time it's very easy and looks great. Good luck.

clear epoxy with a nice metallic underwrap similar to what emory suggested might look pretty cool. silver for a rod with nickel silver hardware? copper metallic thread for a rod with a warm toned wood insert? hmmmm. dang. i wish i had a workshop here and multitudes of rod components and blanks for tinkering...

eric
fresno, ca.