Did a search and read the previous posts, seems that the subject hasent come up in a while. Sooooo, anybody have any new info? Is there a supplier in this industry? If not, is there an industrial product that can be used? Seems like this stuff would be hard to shape. I'm happy with the basics but I have a few friends that would like it on a rod.

Last year Dave Hauser posted, "I see a few sources around for EPDM foam tube, but only in black".
The context of the post suggested that he found it through some kind of industrial supply.

So what do ya think, is this stuff worth trying to track down and (I'm guessing)modify for use on a rod?

Thanks guys
Steven

It's used mainly in the roofing industry. Few, if any, experienced rod builders would consider using it on a rod. Heavy, soft and simply not all what you'd want on a fishing rod, even those where you may not care about any loss of sensitivity. There are just too many alternatives that are equally durable and not nearly so poor a choice for what's needed on a fishing rod.

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Thanks Tom. I personally like hard grips and I'm in the process of making a mold and buying materials for an attempt at foam core grips. Yours look awsome BTW.

If you don't mind, I'm planning on quoting you to dissuade my friends.
Steven

You can do more than quote me - simply point out that the best fishing rods, are those that utilize the lightest possible materials that will still perform the required task. There are times when somewhat heavy materials may be necessary, but rarely would that be a heavy rubber product such as EPDM.

It comes down to making wise choices and understanding what you require and what material best addresses that requirement.


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Sometimes beginners actually do well by not understanding things like this. It means they once in a while actually come up with something that the old timers have missed. But it also means that much of the time they don't really understand what makes a good material for use on a rod and they put it up on the internet and other beginners who have no knowledge of the limited knowledge they are looking at, will just assume that the poster has really put them onto something special. That's my one beef with the internet---you have no qualifiying system to ensure the guy posting actually knows what he's talking about.

Tom is right about its use as a roofing material but it's also used for making gaskets and auto body door and weatherseals. Highly resistant to water damage but heavy and soft. Exactly the opposite for anything you'd want on a fishing rod in almost any use.

And EPDM has very poor resistance to oil. I sell conveyor belting, and there are a couple of products with EPDM covers. This material takes more heat, and is not damaged by the UV component of sunlight, like other synthetic rubbers. But, if just a little bit of oil gets on it, it turns into a gummy mess. Don't think this would work too well as a rod handle.