How do you get clean straight lines on your wraps when applying finish? I know there are some who have a pretty steady hand, some use wood blocks to support their hands, I've even seen video of a builder that uses tape to build a kind of barrier. I'm just exploring some alternatives to free hand.

Apply it as it spins on your lathe using a brush. Press teh brush against teh wrap, the epoxy will "bubble" at each end of the brush, move that bubble so that it barely goes off teh thread and onto teh blank.
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I do it exactly as Billy said and it works. Some years ago someone posted the same question and one of the responses was ;" Push up a "tire" with your brush and roll it off the edge of the thread while spinning the rod. Billy used the word "bubble" in the same context. The word " Tire" stuck in my mind .

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

When doing the edges, I use my power wrapper to spin the rod at about 50 rpm. easy to get a perfect line when the rod is spinning.

All that, and practice. High RPM helps too.

150-200 RMP will give you instant straight and crisp finish lines, as long as you have relatively calm hands.

The above method is excellent. You will have to play with your RPMs to get the right behavior with different finishes Only problem is you need a power wrapping / finishing machine to apply that way.

You can also get really good results by hand. I mix and apply my finish with a metal spatula. I rotate the rod by hand while I do this. I essentially put heavy finish on all the wraps quickly and then begin rotating the rod 180 degrees at a time (spine up, spine down) as the finish sags. Once the finish has been on a while - 18 - 22 minutes or so - I will go back and use the spatula to run a bead of epoxy around the rod off the edige of the wraps. Letting the finish thicken a bit gives you very consistent edges as it sort of resists getting pushed out onto the blank...hard to describe but you'll see what I mean. I will then also remove excess epoxy and gently heat to remove any remaining bubbles. Once it is starting to thicken and looks right, I put it on a dryer to rotate for the next few hours.

All times are at about 72 degrees so it will take longer in colder temps and not as long in warmer temps Spatulas are available at some of the sponsors on the left or through dental supply mail order houses. Hope this helps - good luck!

I simply use celophane tape. Put it where you want the straight line, apply finish, wait about 30 -45 minutes remove tape. So far perfect line every time.

High RPM and a hand rest

Bill - willierods.com