Had an issue applying abalone to a rod the other day. For whatever reason as I applied the material it cracked lengthways up the material every 1/8th inch or so. I applied it using heat from a hairdryer just like I did the last time I applied and had no issues.

Any ideas or thoughts on what to do differently. The only thing that was different between the last time and yesterday was the last time was a dark blue color and yesterday was the natural version.

thanks

I use micro flex often never with a blow dryer always with heat gun set on low. Call Mud Hole they can help. You should buy a heat gun they are a lot better then a blow dryer.

Lone Wolf Rods
"Keep your powder dry and your lines wet"
God Bless

if you want abalone go to angler's envy. Kevin is the abalone guru and has stuff that wont crack if applied properly

I second that!

Scott Parsons
919-900-8998
[www.roddancer.com]
[www.fishhawkthreads.com]

Here is a third on Keven's Abalone. I just did two rods with it and used it for underwrap on every guide with no cracking. The last guide was 3.5" from the tip and about 14cm...amazing stuff.

It also could be that the material is more sensitive to the heat than thought and this application wasn't as hot. It does tend to cool quickly, so the bending has to be done quite quickly. My first try was like yours with the longitudinal cracks-one up side to it is that those flats between the cracks are like the facets on a diamond, and they really catch the light. Mine were so fine that the cracks themselves don't really show, just the "facets" give evidence of the cracking.

Casey,

I use abalone from Mud Hole a lot with no cracking issues. I boil the abalone sticker side up (the sheet will float around on top of the water) for 12 minutes. Quickly apply after and rub it down with a finger or burnishing tool and wrap over with D thread for 30 min. You may have gotten a bad sheet if your previous installs went well.

Good luck!