"Once you have all the guides coated, you can come
> back and put a tiny drop of finish at each guide
> tunnel if you wish. A toothpick works well for
> this." Tom Kirkman.


Hi Tom and All. That sentence raises a question, is it necessary to put a drop of finish at each guide tunnel?
Thanks,
Bruce

Not completely necessary, but advised. The material that works into the tunnel helps form a stable platform for the guide to rest upon. It also seals out any water that might otherwise eventually work in there and undermine the wrap.

..............

On checking some personal rods that I've built in the past, I noticed some had guide tunnels that were not completely filled with finish. Is there any other material that I can easily drip into these tunnels to fill them up now? I'm not keen on mixing up a batch of finish just to fill a couple of tunnels. Also I find that epoxy finish is sometimes too viscous to flow into these tiny holes - I need something more runny :)

The first thing I do after mixing my finish is put a drop of finish on top of the guide at the tunnel. I then turn on the motor and apply the finish to the wraps. Tthe finish runs into the tunnel and fills it in the time required to do the other guides. I start at the handle end and work my way to the top. I always fills the tunnels.

I've gone to using two coats. The first I use light build and get enough on to be just past getting the thread wet. The light build soaks into the thread fast and fills the tunnels. In some cases the thread is a little bare, but a second coat of high build takes care of that nicely. I do check the tunnels for air bubbles every ten minutes or so after application and burst with a torch. I have a picture of a guide I had to repair recently and it speaks well of the technique.

This first photo show the guide and tunnel after stripping the thread off.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

This second shows the guide removed and the pads the guide feet ended up with.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Thank you whoever you are

WWW.WeSeekHerRods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/06/2012 09:58AM by Ted Culin.