Is it difficult to bend the RSG/RSPG guides - both the legs and the shape of the rings? And is the metal used some sort of space age secret type of metal or is it readily available to the consumer? They don't appear to have any type of plating or finish on them so I would think I could use heat to help bend them but they look like they could be just cold-formed in the REC dies. Thanks.

They are a Nickel Titanium. Don't heat them. Bending happens easily enough when attached to a rod blank. Bending is ONLY a defense mechanism for them, don't do it for fun ... they can only take so much, same with the blank and the wrap.

Tim,
If I remeber right they have to be formed at 800+ degrees to retain their shape afterwards. The same thing that gives spring steel it's properties applies here, both are memory metals. Also the foot is just soldered together and don't take much heat without seperation.

Tim,

If what you are asking is: ' can I change the shape/angle of these guides?', then, no, don't try to do that.

The 'beauty '(if there is one) of these guides is that they claim to be able to be 'bent' by abuse and then return to their original shape.

If you don't like the shape or angle of them, use a guide that you like. Playing around with heating them up is risky.

Good Luck!

Buddy Sanders