I am building a rod drying set-up to be able to dry 2 rods at the same time. I already have one motor with 24 RPM, but I believe that's too fast for drying. I was told to use a 3 RPM motor, but that I believe is too slow. Based on your experience, what is the most appropriate RPM speed for drying?

Julian,
It really a matter of what your most comfortable with. If you will be applying the finish with the rod in this unit, I would lean towards the lower between 6-9 RPMs personally.

Different epoxy viscosities require different turning speeds for best results. The thicker the finish is, the slower you can turn it. The thinner the finish is, the faster it will need to be turned.

18RPM is an all-around good choice.

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For drying only, slow is better then fast, to much speed and it creates a centrifugal force that can cause smoothness problems.

Julian,
The best speed is the one that you can change.
Pick up a variable speed dc motor that can vary the speed from 0-50 rpm and you will be in charge of the situation.

Lots of folks like 6 rpm. Lots of folks like 10 rpm. Lots of folks like 18 rpm.

Thick finish - turn slow.
Thin finish - turn fast.

But, never turn so fast that you get a slinging effect with the epoxy.
If you get sags in your finish at your drying speed, you are turning too slow.
If you get foot ball shaped guides, you are turning too fast, because the dryer is slinging the finish.

If the finish remains nice and level with clean sharp edges, you are turning it just right.

The dryer in the back is a drum dryer that allows 12 rods to be dried at the same time. It is driven by a 90 volt dc gear motor with an adjustable rpm of 0-50 rpm.
The two front dryers are using 6 rpm timing motors to drive the driers.
[www.rodbuilding.org]

Take care
Roger



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/20/2012 03:33PM by roger wilson.

Flexcoat is the largest supplier of dryer units to both dryers to both volume custom builders and production facilities.

Information from the experts is posted on the [www.flexcoat.com] Flexcoat Link on this site.-

Optimum Speed for 2 Part Epoxy clearly stated as 18 rpm.

If you are getting footballs you have applied too much finish.

If you would like to have a finish motor or dryer station and are going to the High Point contact Swampland today and one will be delivered to you with no shipping charges.

Call Swampland today to arrange a special price delivery.

[www.swamplandtackle.com]

I put my finish on at about 80 RPM
I can also keep it at that speed -- It will level and hold more finish then a slower speed Even when using a light finish
It will also give you a nice edge on the blank because of the faster speed

Play with faster speeds and slower speeds and see what you like
Your choice

Bill - willierods.com

8 rpm or up as the faster it is the more finish you can put on at one time and the less sags in the finish one will get as I use a motor like Bill does and it save time too.

Glenn McMurrian

I have tried several and IMO for me 18 -20 rpm seems to be a good speed for how I finish my rods.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

I puy my epoxy on at 140 or so RPM, then I dry on an 8rpm, but i would reallllllyyy like to get an 18. My rod lathe only had an 8rpm motor though :(

But yeah, you can dry at any speed you prefer, i use threadmaster high build, so if they made a 12 rpm motor it would be right up my alley!