I am going to buy a new rod dryer. How many RPM's should i look for? i see they come from 4-35 RPM's. What is yours and what would you get?

Kevin Gross
Many men will spend their whole life wondering if they made a difference. Marines dont have that problem - Ronald Regan

Hi Kevin,
Mines 10rpm and that works good for me.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

I have a 4 and an 18, they both work good but I prefer the slower.

______________________________________
Super Tight Lines......Don

Over 40 years of trial and error, 18 rpm's has worked the best. Slower and it will tend to sag, and faster it will tend to throw of thin finishes that are put on in a heavy coat. There is no need for a faster or slower speed. I have worked with thre rod manufacturers to help them develope the best speed to dry and cure their rods. All agree that this works best.

Kevin,
If in doubt - pick up a variable speed dryer, and use the speed that works best for the finish and rod you are using.

A common standard used for years by many rod builders is 6 rpm for the long term drying.

I have done dome drying at speeds faster than about 13-14 rpm, and I find that for many finishes, there tends to be a bit of a "foot ball" effect from the speed. i.e. the speed of the rod is causing a bit of thickening in the centers of the wraps.

But, when keeping the speeds below 13 rpm, but at least 6 rpm - I have found no such issue.

I typically use about 10 rpm now for my personal best results.

But, to be sure, vary the speed of the dryer for the rod and finish being used to make your own evaluation. Keep a very very close look at the finish as the rod is turning for the first hour or so. Normally, after the first hour of drying, the finish will have set up enough so that after that time, the speed becomes unimportant. i.e. very little change in the flow or effect of drying speed on the finish after the first hour of drying.



There are a number of motors and motor systems available that will let you change your speed quite easily. i.e. the ability to change from a speed of say 0-50 rpm.

Note: These motors and systems are not necessarily being sold for drying - per say - but in fact can be quickly adapted to be used for a drying motor.

If you have further questions; just drop me an e-mail

hflier@comcast.net

Take care
Roger

Don't know about throwing finish off but mine goes at about 80 rpm and I like that
I can cover thread faster and get better finish edges

Bill - willierods.com

Bill,
Are you telling me that the rod sits and spins at 80 rpm as it goes through its 24 hour drying cycle?

I believe that the question was referring to the long term overnight drying speed, not the speed for finish application.
Yes, I also apply finish at speed of 50-100 rpm, but I certainly do not leave the rod spinning at 100 rpm for 24 hours while the finish is curing.

Roger

I apply at around 80rpm (yes, some thin finishes like urethane may flick off). I have driers that turn between 15 and 18rpm. For me applying finish at higher speeds tends to keep edges straighter; results in thinner application of finish and smoother (less bumpy) final product. As for drying speeds - I think you could pick any after the finish is applied it will continue to self level for quite some time - it's more important that the rod is level - or canted up if you want the finish to accumulate against a foregrip, hosel or winding check

No after a couple of hours I slow it to about I think it's 12 or 15 rpm Got pulleys on 2 and got to count the revolutions again

Bill - willierods.com