Since I use RodBond for all my reel seats I was thinking about putting some on a rod a building it up to form an arbor. After the rodbond has set up then turn it on a rod wrapper or lathe to the i.d. of the reel seat. I know there would be the extra weight factor but wouldn't that be a very strong arbor since the rodbond on the seat would actually bond to itself? Please give me some feedback on this and tell us what would be some of the drawbacks to this.

Thanks,
Steve

A large build-up of epoxy resin is not very strong in itself withoiut some fiber.

You could certainly do it within reason and many of the so called "gap filling" epoxies lend themselves to this type of thing, but you can do much better for reel seat arbors than bushings made of epoxy.

The very best arbors I have found to date are the 'brick foam" type from Fuji and Pacific Bay. The Pac Bay variety can be had in sizes from 16mm to 32mm in increments of 2mm. They will fit nearly any seat on the market only requiring that they be bored/reamed to fit the blank. This is a quick and easy way to fit reels seats to blank that offers a very strong yet very light connection.

Refer to the Jan/Feb 2001 (V4 #1) issue of RodMaker for the specifics. I believe this is a much quicker and easier method than building up epoxy bushings and then turning to fit the seat. Why do things the hard way if you don't have to?

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You've heard of people using fiberglass drywall tape for these arbors. I cut 1/2" strips of drwall tape about 2' long. As I wrap (about every second revolution), I add small swabs of epoxy and it fills the pores. The finished arbor is very small, but stronger than any I've seen. It's the same principle as steel-reinforced concrete.