I am building a rod for a friend and he would like his name written on the rod. I have never done this before and am wondering what kind of marker I should use for this. I would also imagine that after writing the name that it should get a coat of finish as well, correct? And would it need cp 1st before the finish coat?

Go the Flex Coat web site. There is a short video on how to write names on rods. I use the same technique and use Testors or Speedball acrylic ink, then cover with epoxy.

I just checked and that video is still there under "Our short instructional videos."

[www.dickblick.com]

Use the speed ball quill and nib and acrylic ink.


Practice lettering on an old rod or blank before using it on the final rod.

Let dry for at least an hour and go ahead and coat with epoxy guide finish.

Take care
REW

I use a technical pen. It's a Koh-i-noor rapidograph pen. I believe Matt Davis has a good description of how he uses his if you run a search, I believe a few others also use a technical pen. It was here that I got the idea to use one. I put a layer of epoxy down, let it dry, then write the info, let it dry, and then spray with some krylon acrylic uv clear coating to protect the ink. Once all is dry, I think put at least 1 coat of epoxy over it. As Mr. Wilson says, practice. It takes a little to get used to writing.

Jim,
Also, if you happen to have poor penmenship, don't be afraid to enlist the help of a friend, or spouse who has better penmanship to do your writing on your rods.

Roger

You could also have a decal made, with his name and any other info you would like to include. Check out Decal Connection, a sponsor on the left of this page.

Roger;
Do you use anything on the blank or threads like CP or rod finish before you write on it.

I have had great success with Sakura paint pens.....I have silver and white and I initial and date my rods on the back side and then coat over the paint with my finish. I have used decals too and they are cool but I think my own handwriting on the rod is a little more personal. Especially when I build for family.

Corky,
No, I write on the blank, wait an hour and then apply thread wrapping finish over the writing at the same time as I do the rest of the rod.

Roger

p.s.
I do the writing on the bare blank. I know that some folks put a layer of finish on the blank before writing, but I have really not had any issues in writing on the bare blank. I do make a point of degreasing the blank before ever starting the build, so I am sure that there are no oils or grease, or fingerprints on the blank before lettering the rod.

About 40 years ago I started using Letraset dry letter transferring on blanks and it started a trend with rod builders. Unfortunately they no longer make that but there is another company that makes it . i use 18 point size in script and it looks fantastic as if a calligrapher did the writing. I transfer it with a a burnisher from Charetpak which is made specifically for dry transfering. The colors can be gotten in white,black,silver, gold but white looks best on a black blank. A ligtht coat of CP after it is on when dry a couple of coats of finish will give you a very professional looking signature.

WOW guys so many ideas. This is great. My original idea was simple. All I want to do is place my initials and date. But now I've got some other ideas brewing as well. Thanks so much!

WOW guys so many ideas. This is great. My original idea was simple. All I want to do is place my initials and date. But now I've got some other ideas brewing as well. Thanks so much!

You can also get sticker sheets you can put through your printer if you have one.

I'm not sure what the differences are between quills, but some tend to dig into a rod making it difficult to get good quaility. i have burnished them on 400 sandpaper while rotating the tip slightly to soften up the angles on the tip. I also have found that a groove in a board to set the blank into while writing facilitates the process. And practice on anything round. If you use the acrilic ink suggested by others, and make a mistake, get it off fast and you'll be able to start over with no problem.

Bernie where do you get that from?

Steven I got the sheets from Merrick .