I rarely eat at McDonald's, but I did so today. Always on the lookout for tools, I discovered their coffee stirrers. They're white plastic with a nice paddle on the end, one side smooth, the other slightly textured -- just perfect for mixing and applying epoxy. And the price is right! Why, they may even qualify as disposable rod finish spatulas! Visit your local McD's, buy something cheap, and grab a couple of their custom rod building tools.
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I've found that Starbucks has nice stirring sticks for mixing epoxy. I don't use them to mix rod finish but I might test them out on some soon...

starbucks for me, they say that wooden sticks cause bubbles, i have not had that problem, oh, and get this its next to a tackle shop. lathe and worms to go

I've used popsicle/craft sticks and toothpicks for years with no bubble problems. I think that the key is how you, not what you use. Slow, thorough "folding" procedure works best for me.

Mike

The wood sticks doesn't really cause bubbles as much as you need to watch out that if you live in a high moisture area the wood sticks will retain moisture and then put it into your epoxy which then what happens is your epoxy never really cures. I learned this years ago from Flex Coat and I know don't use any wood sticks for stirring. If I use a popsicle stick for applying coating way before I ever use one I first dip it in the clear coat and let it dry and that is so that no moisture can pass out of the stick into my epoxy that I am applying to the rod in front of me.

Neal Cissel
Neal's Fishing Products

Neal,

Good point! Never considered that. All my work is done in a finished basement and I usually have a dehumidifier or air running and don't have moisture problem here (Michigan) except when I want to go fishing. Then the Rain Gods vent their anger at me for some past transgression!!


Mike