I recently had to replace a couple of guides and the epoxy was so hard and the guides were towards the tip that I was afraid of taking a piece of the rod out with my exacto knife so I applied some heat to the epoxy until it softened, thus making it easier to remove. I got to thinking that heating up the rod might be just as bad for the rod as nicking it with the exacto knife. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Clinton

I heat up the thread around the guide foot with a flame from a match or cigarette lighter. Using a utility knife,I cut this heated thread off the guide foot. Grab the loose end of the cut thread and unwind it until all the wrap is off.When the thread if off remove any high spots of epoxy and go over with a sotch pad if necessary.

Better use a hair dryer ...its creating enough heat to soften the epoxy and the risc to overheat the blank is almost inexistent. With the heatgun the risc is there...but if you are real carefull it can be done.

And always cut the epoxy/thread on the foot of the guide...never on the blank....Just cut at the base of the guide and unthread the whole wrap with the softened epoxy on it.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/13/2012 10:16AM by Mihalyfalvi Gabriel.

Clinton,

It can be if you are not judicious. I killed one of my old rods that has some exceptionally stubborn epoxy using a little heat gun designed for melting embossing powders from the craft store. It's best to be conservative and have to add a little extra heat than to try to do it all at once. Apply heat to one side at a time, and just enough to soften the epoxy and you should be okay. If you get carried away and soften the resin in the blank, all bets are off in how long it will last.

Joe

A little at a time check it often

Had one that was hard to get off Now got to save the handle and replace the upper end of the blank
Been There Done That
Do it carefully

Bill - willierods.com

Me too not only one time but twice

Bobby Stout
Bloomburg, TX

I kept on telling myself that the user -- must have hit it on the boat - then the heat weakened it more
Wishful thinking !!??

Bill - willierods.com

A hair dryer is capable of exceeding the temperature a blank will tolerate. Don't ask how I know.....

The smaller "embossing guns" that are sold at craft stores like Hobby Lobby, Michaels and such are much safer as they put out lower heat while maintaining air volume. In all cases (alcohol lamp, hair dryer, embossing gun) the heat source should be kept away from direct contact. The finish need only be WARMED - not SOFT or RUNNY.

Personally, I have better luck with an alcohol lamp, and start with the epoxy over the guide foot. 2-3 seconds only, then check for warming, like Ken suggested. This works for me really well. Also, don't ask me (king of the drooping tip) why 2-3 seconds is an important time limit. :-)

Terry

Use "GENTLE" heat. All that is needed is to warm the old epoxy - not melt it. I also shave the thread / epoxy off of the guide foot with a razor blade (like Peter does), lift the guide out of the epoxy, and then peel the thread off of the blank. I use a plastic picnic knife and more "GENTLE" heat to clean up the leftovers.

Rog

I ruined an MHX blank using a heat gun to remove a guide. Just tread lightly and take your time. It.can be done.