Using dry wall tape for arbors, how well does Rod Bond go through the tape to the blank? If there is a big difference in the ID of the seat and the blank, how large of an arbor can be made using it?

It is my understanding that one should build up the fiberglass self sticking drywall tape arbor to the appropriate size then enroll most of it and the "like putting butter spread on toast" lather the tape with the rod bond as you roll it back onto the blank. This will fill in the grid with epoxy and create a bond through to the blank. I hope that was clear enough.

If you have to build up a very large amount of space, I'd forego any kind of tape and just move to foam arbors. They're much quicker to prepare and mount than tape, particularly when you start to talk about shimming larger spaces.

.......

After you unroll the tape arbor you need to apply the rodbond with a Spaula or a pop sickle stick every couple turns as you rewind it. forcing it thru the mesh it will harden up solid

I use non sticking dry wall mesh and coat it as described above. I tie the lead edge to the blank with white NCP which is then slathered in Rod Bond. When the tape is wound to the proper circumference I tie it down with another length of NCP thread strung through the tape. Makes a nice tight package which stays in place as the reel seat is positioned over it.

When I have had to use multiple layers of drywall tape I usually let the first one get a little stiff before adding the next layer of tape and rod bond. It does take a little longer but they have always been rock solid.

I used dry wall tape under the handle on my first rod. I built 3 separate bushings with spaces in between them. Can you also wrap the tape up the blank with each turn touching the other? I was wondering because there are spaces in the tape already. Thanks



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/10/2005 08:29AM by Bruce A. Tomaselli.

I too use drywall tape for small gaps, and arbors for large. I have a roll of the somewhat sticky drywall tape. The way I apply it is to first wrap it on the blank and fit the reelseat, then I unwrap all but about two revolutions and as someone said above 'butter' the tape with rod bond. This fills the mesh really well and seems to work great.

Hi Scott
Do you wind the tape up the blank like you would a baseball bat or do you just build it up where it's loose on the blank? I hope this is clear enough.

Hey Bruce,
I just wind the tape in the spot that needs it, basically like an arbor. On a spinning rod i did I put a 1" fiberglass tape "arbor" spaced evenly under the seat. It has held up fine. I dont think you need to wrap like a bat to build it up. Basically the sheetrock tape just acts like rebar to hold the rodbond inplace and in an arbor shape.

Scott