I just got a band saw and started gluing up square EVA blocks for grips with trim bands and some diagonal eva strips. I wanted to try the diagonal pattern so the grip has the rings in it. Brown foam block with yellow rings - the Wyoming colors.
Two questions 1) Do I need to let the contact cement dry for several days before turning it? I glued one set of 1/4" eva strips in then let it set for 7 days. Then I did the other strips waited about 30 minutes and started turning the block. I put one layer of glue on each side of the eva to be stuck together, let it dry 10 minutes then pressed them together. The glue(weldwood contact cement) seemed to not be set up on the inside of the grip on the strips that were only given a short dry time. The eva was delaminating as I turned it. I stopped and in an attempt to salvage the grip I put some more contact cement in the delaminated spaces, wrapped the grip with twine as a clamp and let it be in hopes it will reset. Where did I go wrong?
2) Is there a good source for solid eva blocks (no center holes) with lots of good color selections ( I know Mudhole has a few colors). I am after brown, yellow, red, black, yellow, dark blue, light blue, white, pink,green, camos, etc?
I am headed to the Expo this week end and look forward to Billy's seminar on eva grips which will probable clear up all the reasons for my mess but if anyone has any input I'll take it.
Thanks
Will

You must put a second coat of contact cement when using the foam . The first coat is pretty much absorbed by the foam. When it is completly dry you can re apply it. Press them together after the second coat is completly dry.
Billy does have the blocks in most of those colors with the exception of brown and pink.

Good luck,

Bill

Ohio Rod Builders

Canton, Ohio

Will, here is what I will have at The NERBs booth in High Point: [www.rodbuilding.org] I have an order for black, purple, pink, and neon green, as well as dark orange, red & blue - I hope to have it in a month or 2. Here is a link to my site: [northeastrodbuilders.com]

If the piece is PROPERLY glued up, you will not have a problem. I do not wait after I glue a grip up, I'll go righ ton the lathe and bore/turn it down. Bill touched on it, you NEED 2 coats of CC on teh craft foam, and teh blocks too. White craft foam is especailly absorbant for whatever reason. YOu also MUST make sure the glue is completely dry before pressing the pieces together. If you STETCHED the foam to fit on your mandrel, that often causes it to split apart. How fresh was your glue? Was it anew can with very runny cement? That might require you use more glue. Was it really thick and gooey? If so, youmight need a new can of cement.

The fix that you did should work, as long as you put enough CC on both pieces where it split. And don't think I don't have grips split apart on me, it does happen from time to time, I fix it the same way you did here. I do not have grips pop open like it sounds like happened to you.

Billy,

Did I read that right, you have Orange Vari Swirl or did you miss a comma?

jeremy

I recently ordered a shipment of Eva from Billy. It was a high quality. I received it 2 days later! Very impressed! He has some hard to find colors also. I look forward to my next shipment.