Questions:

1. what parts do I need to build a drying unit?

2. What rpm size motor?

3. Can I use it for finishing as well as drying?

4. Is it easier just to buy a rod dryer for single rods?

Thanks,
Bruce

What do you mean by finishing??

Mike

When I am varnishing the thread wraps. Can I use the dryer motor for both processes?

Sure! That's pretty much what people are referring to when they talk about drying motors. Even when "hand drying", I put the rod in my "dryer" and turn by hand while I'm applying epoxy and manually turn the blank when needed and turn the motor on after a couple hours and the epoxy is pretty much set. When not hand turning, I just stick the rod in the dryer, turn it on and apply finish.

As for speed, I have dryers ranging from 3 to 30 rpm and can't say as I have noticed any major differences with any of them although I think that the general consensus is that 18rpm is a pretty popular, all around speed

If you are going to build a dryer, I would strongly recommend a double dryer. Doesn't take any longer and if you're using $4 or $5 motors, why not? You'll be glad you did when you want to finish a 9' 2 piece or have a couple repairs to do

Sure, it's easier to buy a dryer and many prefer to, but just like a custom rod, you get to choose the components/featyres and design that suit you

Mike

Mike



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/03/2005 11:12AM by Mike Barkley.

Thanks, Mike! What parts do I need besides the motors? Would I just mount 2 chucks on each end to hold the rods?
Also, while the motor is running and I'm finishing varnishing the thread wraps, can I just leavethe motor turning until it dries or will the varnish run or sag?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/03/2005 11:10AM by Bruce A. Tomaselli.

The main thing is the motors and some scrap wood. You can make a chuck from a PVC endcap (look in the Photo Page under equipment or search for chuck). You can also just build the motor shaft up with masking tape to the ID of the blank and slip the blank onto the shaft and wrap a piece of tape over it. Crude, but very effective and the price is right! They are a little pricey, but I also like the Streamside chucks from Mudhole which can handle anything from a fly rod tip to a completed musky rod.

Do a search on this site and type in dryer and you will get tons of info and ideas. Did you get the picture that I sent the other day?

Mike

Yes, I received the photo. Do you need to have chucks on each end of the rod?

Nope, just chuck the rod on one end and use a rod support or two for the rest of it. A rod support is as simple as an upright piece of wood with a "V" cut into it (line it with felt or cloth to prevent marring the blank). The only "technical" part of building a dryer setup is you want the blank to be a perfectly level as possible, I used to stack pieces of paper under the supports to get them level. Tons of ideas on chucks, what I did at first was a 2" PVC cap. Drilled a hole in the center to match the motor shaft, epoxied in place. Then I took 4 wood screws and screwed them into the side at 0,90, 180, and 270 degrees (equally spaced around the side). Now take four rubber bands and criss-cross them around the blank.......whola...self centering chuck! For mid sections (where you would have a ferrule wrap) I took a piece of cedar and widdled a taper on it. Chuck the other end of the cedar, stick the taper inside the blank, done. I did take tape and wind it sticky side out along the taper to "grip" the inside of the blank a little better.
Hope this makes sense. As far as mounting the motor.....I took 1x4 wood and cut the hole to match the motor. My motor had flange on it to put mounting screws in, but you could epoxy the motor in place as well if needed. I have since built a dryer with adjustable dryer supports, but doesn't give any better results, just something I wanted.
Elrod

What Jon said!!! Jon, how about posting a pix of your adjustable support dryer (or e-mail it to me)??

Mike

I went at it from the other direction. I made the motor support adjustable, so I could use my standard V-supports. Mounted the motor to a piece of plexiglas, built a base piece from wood and then clamp the plexiglas to the wood base with a spring loaded one hand clamp at the right height I need to get the rod level using my standard supports.