I am starting my first spinning rod, it will be a split handle with epoxy winding check ramps. But, I need a little help with the epoxy ramps. What kind of epoxy to use? Do I let the epoxy harden some before applying?
Do you sand the epoxy when dry? I plan to wrap the ramps when done.

Ed, Are you talking about the foregrip to the blank? If so, here's what I usually do - Put my rod in the dryer and put a gob of 5 min epoxy where the blank joins the seat. Raise the tip a little to get the ramp angle that you want. The turning of the rod will give you a nice smooth ramp right to the edge of the seat. Just wrap right up the ramp and when you get to the top, just put a small dab of Super glue to hold the tag in pace and tape the end out of the way. Put finish on and when it's dry, trim off the loose end flush. Makes a nice looking transition.

You can also just add some pigment into the epoxy to get the color you want and skip the thread and just put a hook keeper wrap where it meets the blank, to hide the transaction. I saw Ralph Oquinn do it with Rod Bond in Charlotteusing his finger to shape it. Worked perfect for him but,. as much as I love Rod Bond, I can never get it smooth or concentric unless I use 5 min epoxy.
If you're talking about between the split grip pieces and blank, you can just put a small gob where they meet and let it flow into a ramp while the rod is turning.



Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/12/2006 09:48AM by Mike Barkley.

Ed Cochran Wrote:
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> I am starting my first spinning rod, it will be a
> split handle with epoxy winding check ramps. But,
> I need a little help with the epoxy ramps. What
> kind of epoxy to use? Do I let the epoxy harden
> some before applying?
> Do you sand the epoxy when dry? I plan to wrap the
> ramps when done.


1. I use Flex Coat 5-minute epoxy and an 18rpm motor. It will self level (as opposed to Rod Bond) in the short time before it sets up.
2. No, do not let the epoxy setup before applying. My process is to mix a small amount of 5-min epoxy while the rod is turning on the drying motor, then use a toothpick to apply a small ribbon of epoxy to the blank about 1/8-inch in front of the cork. Using the toothpick I then gradually push the epoxy back towards the cork until it starts to build into a ramp. Apply small amounts of epoxy as needed to get the desired size.
3. Flex Coat 5-min does not need to be sanded. It will self level and be smooth enough to wrap over in about 15-20 minutes.
4. I would recommend overwrapping with thread instead of pigments since the 5-minute epoxy will not easily release bubbles caused by mixing.