I just used aluminum winding checks for the first time and was curious if people run the epoxy up the check or stop at the beginning of it. I seem to see photos of both and was wondering what the pluses do minuses of epoxying over them is.
Thanks



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/30/2012 07:05PM by Mitchell Karmel.

Hi Mitchell,
Im new to rodbuilding, & have also used several aluminium w/c's. I have completed rods both coating the w/c with finish & leaving it uncoated. This will depend on the type (style) w/c that you are using as some are straight, ribbed, tapered, etc. For me it depends on how close the w/c sits on the blank & how high my butt wrap &/or decal are compared to the w/c. For example: if I have a w/c in place that is slightly larger than the blank & I am doing a simple butt wrap in 'A' thread, I don't coat the w/c. I do however, make sure that the butt wrap & epoxy finish neatly seal any gaps between the w/c & blank so as not to allow any water to travel into the w/c, wrap or grip area.
If I have a w/c that Is a close fit on the blank & I am doing a 'bulkier' butt wrap that is the same height or higher than the O.D. of the w/c where it meets the wrap, then I will coat the w/c with finish & aim for a smooth transition (ramp) between the w/c & butt wrap area. The goal again is to not allow for any unsightly gaps that may permit water to travel into the w/c. I am by no means an experienced rod builder, & can not give you technical advice on the matter, only my thoughts & practices. Hopefully you will receive some more advice on the Subject, which I could also learn from.
Best Regards,
Soc.

Hi Mitchell,
Personally I finish my epoxy at the start of the wc and ensure that the epoxy fills the area between the blank and the wc. I can't see any pros for covering the wc with epoxy other than the worry of water getting behind it and that would be a result of the wc not being installed properly in the first place. Winding checks do not have what I'd call a water break free surface so I attack mine with a demel and a small bit on the end next to the foregrip and the inside, then use enough epoxy to make sure the gap between the check and the foregrip is filled. Clean off the excess and your good to go. Perhaps some of the the other learned gents have some pros for covering the wc with epoxy but I can't see any.

When I see the check covered with epoxy it looks like a hack job to me.

Ummmm, OK.

I cover mine all the way. I guess I am a hack. But, I do it because they will corrode and look crappy after a year of use. Covering it will ensure that it stays crisp clean and sharp looking.

Kevin Knox
ANGLER'S ENVY CUSTOM RODS
QUEEN ANNE, MD 21657
#_#_#_#_#
www.anglersenvy.com

Kevin,
Good salt water advice.
Bare aluminum is n.g. in saltwater; must cover!!

"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble.It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." Mark Twain
John in Wethersfield, CT

Then it will just yellow..

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

I am moving away from aluminum winding checks and using rubber checks or even rubber o-rings. I don't like the idea of restricting the rod from deforming if it happens to bend that deeply.

Most aluminium checks are anodized. To prevent corrosion, all you should need to do is keep it unscratched and wash clean after use.

I've got a lot of rods with aluminium checks and they've been there for a while, some of them get a lot of use but none of them show any signs of corrosion. They always get a good wash as soon as I get home.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

i've done both. sometimes i coat over the checks to make it a perfectly smooth transition to the wrap. if you do it carefully it won't look like a hack ;)

Regards,
-Justin

Nope. I use Threadmaster. NO yellowing.

Kevin Knox
ANGLER'S ENVY CUSTOM RODS
QUEEN ANNE, MD 21657
#_#_#_#_#
www.anglersenvy.com