I tried a search but didn't answer my question.
What happens when you mix and pour foam at cold temperature's, below 50 degree's? Does it expand as much or does it not expand as much and become denser?
I have a couple reel seats I want to fill with foam, then ream and inlet the ends for wood inserts.These are for couple light weight ice rods for Alaska.

Doesnt expand as much. If you can get your shop up in temp a bit it will expand better. I poured some last week in an unheated part of my shop, it went fine, just ended up a bit more dense than if I had done it at 70F.

Scott Sheets
www.smsrods.com

It will not become more dense, nor will it expand as much. The manufacturer doesn't recommend that you mix and pour the foam at such cool temperatures.

If you want a denser foam, buy the denser variety.

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Tom, if the same amount of material poured doesnt expand as much wouldnt it be more dense? If it normally expands to 12" but in only goes to 6" you have the same material packed into a smaller space with less air in that space then would be in a 12" section. It should technically weigh the same as a 12" section. I've never checked it, but curious now.

Scott Sheets
www.smsrods.com

Scott, I don't know if dense is the right term, but it certainly is heavier when you do that.

There's a little more to it that than - the reaction is not as intense, less expansion is realized. It's been my experience that foam that cures at 80F is harder than what cures at 50F. But hardness isn't really the same thing as density so it depends on which you're after.

You could always weigh the total resulting material and see if the weights are the same.

By the way, below 50F, you're not apt to get much expansion at all.

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Cork is firmer than hypalon or EVA but is less dense. If you are going for a harder or firmer grip you are going about it backwards. More density does not guarantee a firmer or harder grip.

I would think that you would want the least amount of weight possible. Not sure but if the foam you have is not hard enough for you then the higher density foam might be the ticket. I believe the website listed in the Rodmaker article claims that the 10lb foam is almost as hard as concrete but without the weight.

Tom, I meant density to mean the amount of material in a given space. So, the amount of foam packed into say 1 square inch. I agree that the material is much harder when poured under good conditions.

I did not intend to relate hardness to density since the two are not related.

Scott Sheets
www.smsrods.com

Very good. I understand what you're saying now.

But therein lies the possible problem - you'll have a heavier grip, but one that is necessarily any more firm than if you poured it at a higher temperature.

Nothing says you can't try it and see.

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Not really anything I am looking for, I was just commenting on what would happen if he poured at a cold temp.

Scott Sheets
www.smsrods.com

Looking back at his original question, I should have given a better answer.

It won't expand very much at 50F and what you do get will be heavier for the same volume. So if you're really wanting to build "lightweight rods for ice fishing in Alaska" you might want to pour inside at a higher temperature.

We're not talking about a great deal of weight, but you'll get a lighter overall handle if you pour at a higher temperature.

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I'm glad I got so much info, but broke down and turned on the heaters and got out the heat gun, got a good expansion and filled the reel seats just fine.
Thanks to all for the help and answers.

I only recently started a subscription to Rodmaker. And I see that back issues are still available. Which issue, or issues, talks about pouring your own foam? Is there a good tutorial on the subject? Is there a back issue or tutorial about using the carbon fiber to wrap the foam? Thanks!

All that information can be found in RodMaker Volume 10 #6 - that's where the techniques for both originated.


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