Is U-40 ok for tip tops on? I thought someone said it presents problems if tip-top repair/replacement is needed...if so can someone recommend a glue for tip-tops that does not present repair/replacement problems?

Steven - the only thing I have used is flex coats tip top adhesive. It works great. I have not had a problem with a top coming unglued yet. And when I recently redid the wraps on my first home built fly rod - the tip top easily came off with a little heat.
It is a hot melt glue. It takes a little practice but I think it works well. Plus it is cheap. Costs under $2 for H&H.
good luck,

Greg

I do not like to use any epoxy type glue for rod tips. I have melted the rod tips on graphite rods with a small tip diameter while trying to heat the tip enough to remove it. Most of the rods that I build will have a tip size 4 to 6. I prefer to use the tip glue sold by Gudebrod and Flexcoat. A word of caution when removing a tip that has been epoxied. Sometimes the tips will pop off like bullets so if you are using epoxy, be sure you point the tip away from you. One tip that I have mentioned before and that I learned from Flexcoat is to take the tip glue and put in a hot glue gun. Take a piece of glass or ceremic tile and make thin glue strings with the gun. After the glue cools, take the thin glue strings to put insite of the tip top tube, heat and stick the tip top on your rod.
Cheers, Ellis

Steven , I use 5 min Devcon epoxy . I have had to take 2 tops off , and it was a little tough to get the glue to melt , but if you heat the tip and not the barrel of the tip it will melt the glue and not the blank . I personaly don't like the low temp melt glues . Just my oppinion . Have fun, John

Got Fish ?

I also have used nothing but FC glue and have never had a tip fail. I used to slice strips and put inside the tip, until a great tip I learned here. I cannot remember who told me this, but I love them for it.

Heat the tip, and then run the hot tip down the outside of the glue stick, like a backhoe digging a trench. Fills the tip with glue instantly. Heat the tip of the stick and wipe it on the blank. Heat the tip, install and remove excess. Putting on a tip takes less than 10 seconds now.

Heat sticks are great!! Unless you live in a hot areas like AZ, Texas or Oak. There the heat sticks seam to soften in hot weather. As for using Rod Bond or any epoxy glues. When tring to remove a tip Top always put a cold rag on the blank, when heating and make sure you pull straight off and don't twist it off.
Good Weraps Bob

This is why I like the new fuji mn tip tops. With these I use hot melt glue, & then wrap over. Tradidional tip tops I like the 5 minute stuff.

Best thermoplastic glue is found in archery shops and not in rod building supplier catalogs. Look for the deepest amber color.

Steven, I have used Flex Coat tip glue with good results. However, I prefer to use Flex Coat High or light build epoxy. I like the assurance that the whole inside of the tip top guide is covered in adhesive. Momentarily submersing the tip under hot water makes for easy and safe removal without damaging the rod. I have a 190 degree Hot Water at my kitchen sink. I use that when the wife isn't around and tip removal is needed.
I don't recommend using a lighter to heat up and remove tips, or even to apply tip top glue or thormoplastics. The flame is just too hard to control and too hot.
If you gotta put a flame to a rod, it is far easier to control an alcohol torch, or even a candle. Good luck in whatever choice you make.

Patrick Vernacchio