What is the best method for rounding off the guide feet prior to wrapping.A file?Kind?Sandpaper?Other?Thanks

Charlie,
There are numerous ways to do it, but I use a Dremel tool.
Hope this helps,
Noel

Ishape with a Dremel, but may use a file. Chain saw file works good on the bottom.

Mike

I use a 4" fine grit grinding wheel mounted on a standup drill press running at low speed. I do alot of guides this way.

Lou

Dremel tool.

If you don't have one....put it onl your last minute Christmas list. I ahve the rechargeable one....I'm amazed how often I use it. Very handy for all kinds of stuff....From buildiing flyrods to building golf clubs to around the house stuff.

Not very expensive, either. Mine is actually the Black & Decker Versapak. Basically the same thing as the Dremel...All the little tools for the Dremel fit mine.

$40 or something like that. Maybe $30...I forget.

Keith

The easiest way to is sand them on a sanding disc or belt. Takes only seconds. Use 100 grit discs or belts. You can also file them, but sanding is the very quickest way to do the job. In fact, be careful or you'll quickly remove the entire foot.

...........

I use a hook sharpening stone.

Charlie... By golly, I guess I am the guy who answers "all of the above" on this question. I use a set of fine files to get the general shape and then do a final "polish" with the Dremel tool. I use a Dr. Slick porcelain hook sharpening stone to dress any burrs off the bottom of the guides. Best, Vance

I bought a very small table top grinder with two wheels. The wheels are fairly smooth. After the initial grinding, I use a wire wheel and finally a buffing wheel with jewelers rouge.

On larger guides I use a dremel. Actually a two speed B&D Wizard/Versapak (on sale at Kmart for under $20 if I recall). I have a single speed Dremel that runs at something like Warp 9... way too fast for me on guides. Durn near melts the feet off in the blink of an eye. On smaller guides I use needle files. I've ruined too many little guides using a dremel because I'm not coordinated enough to do little stuff with power tools.

I use a dremel copy, varible speed. And now use a diamond impregnated steel cut of wheel, no more exploding cut off disks. Great tip Ken P., you start saving money straight away, not so aggressive and seem to work quicker.


Myles

Be sure to seal those freshly ground feet before mwrapping

1) size 10 and smaller I use a file.

2) size 12 and larger a belt/disc sander and a file to get the final shape.

3) Sand all sizes with 220 emory and cleaned with alcohol before painting with matching color nail polish or car touch up paint.

4) Make sure guide feet are straight, aligned, and are able to stand on flat surface. Sometimes the guide ring can be perfectly aligned however you will encounter a problem with the guide foot not resting flat on the blank and any compenstion will result with a guide ring that is not perpendicular to the blank. Occasionally some guides from the factory are not perfect.

Examples: Look at the Fuji HNSG size 12 from a profile view you will notice the ring housing is tilted towards the front(on some runs). This maybe due to a tooling issue at the factory.

Manufacturers of PacBay/Amtak/Batson have similar issues with straightness. Probably tooling as well. I wonder if the chrome finish will peel if manipulated too much.

Albert Tennant Wrote:
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> Be sure to seal those freshly ground feet before
> mwrapping



This is a great thread!


I've never sealed my guide feet. Should I be? What material and meathod do you use to seal them?

Also, when you use a sanding belt, grinding wheel, Dremmel tool or some other tool, do you hold the guide by hand or do you use some kind of device to hold the guide by the ring or one of the feet while you grind the other foot?

Many thanks.

CT

A lot of guys use a plastic bolt and nut that fits through the guide ring and then hold onto the end of the bolt. I've yet to try this; imagine that I will when the Alzheimer kicks out next time I'm in True Value!!!
I've never sealed the guide foot until after I wrap it-the rod finish does this for my needs (no salt water and I always use metallic threads).

Putter

Charles, I just use my fingers, unless they are really little guides, then I use some needlenose pliers with leather to protect the guides. Got tired of grinding skin.There is a neat little jig out there that holds guides for grinding, but I'm too cheap to get one.

How exactly do you seal a guide foot?

Charlie,
I have had good luck with a Dremmel tool with the small sanding drum with 120 grit. Dremmel has come out with a polishing wheel that seems to be made of Scotchbright material that works great for removing burrs and final polishing.
Tight Lines & Happy wrapping
Bill Currie Custom Rods

I like the dremel cutoff because i can hold the guide up to it, sanding with the bottom side. This gives me a great view of the guide as I shape it, to get a nice smooth transition to the blank.

steve

I also like the Dremel with diamond disk as Myles mentioned. The flexible shaft Dremel is what I use.

For small guides, the nylon bolts are real handy.

Stan