This afternoon I decided to strip down a short fly rod that wasn't working out. Thought I'd scavenge the components and maybe try the blank as an ultralight spin rod.

While using heat from a hair dryer to soften the residual epoxy things were going well until I noticed an unusual ripple in the blank finish. Suspecting that I softened more than the thread epoxy I tested the blank by flexing the blank and sure enough it popped at the ripple.

So be cautious when applying heat to a blank's finish. Apparently, I reached the blank finish melting point.

Jeff Shafer

Lesson: Don't use hair dryers or paint stripping heat guns. Go to a Craft store and get an Embossing heat gun for around $20.00 = less velocity and lower temperature.

Thanks Ken,
Interesting point, in fact I believe there is an embossing heat gun somewhere in the house, a leftover from one of my kid's hobbies. I'll have to dig it out and experiment with it. Fortunately the fried blank was very inexpensive.

Jeff

And Fiberglas - especiailly older Shakespeare blanks (those you can see the residual cellulose tape wrappings on) seem to be the most susceptable to heat damage. I hate to work with them - but I see quite a few each year that people want to have resurrected because they belonged to fathers/grandfathers. My advice is usually to have it cleaned up and keep it as a memento (wall hanger). Lots of times the finish is "checkered" right through to the glass and the blanks simply fail repeatedly. I'm sure it has plenty to do with pre/post "Howald process'" and the earliest "Howald process blanks" which were introduced right at the end of World War II.

I was put onto one of these by Ken a couple of years ago. Highly recommend one. Love the thing and wouldn't trade it for anything. Thanks Ken.

When I use any kind of heat I use my hand to determin the distance from the blank I should be. What I do is place my hand in front of the heat source. When I feel the heat without burning my hand , this well be the distance I well keep my heat source from the rod. Also keep the heat moving , I never leave the heat in one place more than 3 secounds (heat well build up fast) and you my get melt down
Good Wraps Bob PS: I would practice first on a old rod

Hey, Ken-I've got one of those things! I'll have to give it a try; that Bic doesn't have a cord hanging off the back of it, though... ;)

Putter
Williston, ND

Ditto Ken, I saw you using it on your video. Bought one, works awesome.

Bill in WV