Today is a foam day and I'm getting really serious about perfecting the pour directly onto the blank. The only thing I'm hesitating on is the adhesion level of foam. I'm wondering if anyone has tried applying epoxy to the blank and then going immediately into the pour? Any idea if the wet epoxy and wet foam will react or negatively impact each other? My rationale is that a slow curing epoxy should adhere the foam to the blank, since the foam will cure much faster and provide a hard bonding surface, but I can only guess.

Jason Cosby
Cos Rods

Man I'm thinking a spare piece of blank test is in order.

I'd try that out first and go from there.

Hello Jason

Good idea, let us know how it turns out, and the procedure used to achive your results.

Thanks.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

I myself would rather make a grip off the rod in case it messes up.

Jive it a try ???

Bill - willierods.com

The foam will adhere - you do not need nor do you want to put any epoxy on the blank. Do keep in mind that the only way to remove it will be to shave, sand, etc., as the bond is tenacious.

...........

Like Tom said - you do not want to use epoxy, the bond is incredible. I applied the foam directly to a few blanks and in the end decided it wasn't worth the effort. Much harder to turn and if I made a mistake it took a lot of work to get back to square one, also a took a lot more work to get the carbon skin to a point I was happy with. Never again, I think I still have a blank sitting in the corner with unturned foam on it.

Thanks Tom and Brad for info on the bond. I suspected this would be the case with the bond, knowing how hard it is to scrape off things, but wasn't sure if the elements would weaken it. What was it that made the skin more work on the rod, Brad? I haven't jumped in yet, so the more info I can get the better. I'm working on some things out of the box that may (hopefully) be easier on the blank. I'll definitely use cheap fiberglass blanks for testing.

Jason Cosby
Cos Rods

I think would use a broken arrow from a friend or a local archery club. Or, a cheap new arrow from Wal Mart as a test stick. Maybe $1.75?

As Tom said, the foam will stick just fine; as in any adhering you do want to make sure you have a water break free surface. Like Brad, I'll build my grips seperate and mount to the blank once I'm sure I like what I have. I do pour the foam directly on the blank to mount reel seats rather than shaping/reaming/gluing arbors but if you don't want a mess you need to be careful about the measuring and capping/sealing the reel seat ends...
[www.rodbuilding.org]

Thanks everyone. I decided after staring at it for a while that it was a better idea to get semi captive molds made first and try it with those. That way there little to no turning to worry about. I'll post the results after I get something workable.

Jason Cosby
Cos Rods

I couldn't find a good way to finish the carbon. I really think its a nice touch to not use a winding check and that is not possible casting the foam on the blank.

I've also thought of using a mold but was concerned that the release agent would not allow the epoxy to bond to the foam. If you figure this out Jason let me know!

We'll do, Brad. I'll start a new thread after I have some results to share.

Jason Cosby
Cos Rods