Building my first stand up rod and have a question with regards to abalone under the rollers. Do you cut the abalone to the entire length of the roller feet or just to the inside of the opening? I am assuming you put a thin coat of epoxy down over the abalone, wrap the guide feet on with A thread, thin coat of epoxy, then another wrap with A, and two final coats of epoxy. Just looking for steps that you guys go through when putting abalone under these guides. Thanks!

I cut mine to just a little longer than the gap for the roller guide (maybe 1/16" on either side). That seems to ensure that I will not have an issue with the thread "gapping" where the edge of the abalone sits. You can put a coat of finish on the abalone - but I do not. I put the abalone on, over wrap with "D" thread tightly to ensure that it adheres well and any cracks are pulled back in contact with the blank. After an hour or so I remove the over wrap thread; wrap the guide in place (two layers = one up & one back) insert any decorative trim bands on the second pass then apply a THIN coat of finish. When the finish is just beyond tacky I apply a second coat of finish and call it a day. While I like to use "A" thread I prefer either "C" or "D" on rollers. The blank is large enough that to my mind it doesn't look like rope.

Just under the exposed area. The ab under the guide foot will give you poor adhesion to the blank. ALso, D, not A thread. No finish on the ab before wrapping. Do it at the end.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/18/2011 07:39PM by kevin knox.

I posted a photo of one I did today here:

[www.rodbuilding.org]

[www.rodbuilding.org]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/18/2011 08:57PM by Ken Preston.

Ken that looks fantastic, where can I read some instructions in how to do that myself?

Well done.

Nick.