I put abalone sheet inlay on the rod blank after watching 2 different videos.. 1st Video used bowl of warm water to soak abalone sheet, burnishing tool and heat gun..2nd Video only used burnishing tool and heat gun..

I followed the 2nd video step by step, followed by wrapping with size A thread until it cool for 30 minutes..
Unfortunetly there are some cracks after I wrapped the ends and applied the rod finish..

For next time, Should I have used the soak method??

What other methods work for a flawless and smooth round finish??

Have you read the articles by Kevin Knox in the magazine? Few people have done as much with abalone as he has.

There are different abalone products on the market. You'll want to use the technique that was developed for the particular product you're using.

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i have tried abalone veneer twice, the first time i followed the directions exactly and it cracked so bad that i removed it from the blank. yesterday i used the veneer that i got from Kevin Knox and followed his article in the magazine and it came out beautiful!!!! the only problems were caused by me doing something stupid. IN THE FUTURE THE ONLY ABALONE VENEER I BUY WILL BE FROM MR. KNOX

Yeah dude he seriously has the best stuff in the world. Boil it in water and your good no heat gun needed.

Take the heat gun and put it in the shed. It doesnt work. The burnishing tool is for thread. Leave that out of hands reach when working with veneer. You have all the tools you need attached to your hands. Fingers are all that are needed. Take a look at www.anglersenvy.com/veneer-gallery and this is all you need. The article is a nice accompanyment to the veneer and Rodmaker has them for sale. Best value under $10 you can invest in. I went through it step by step and addressed every pit fall that you will encounter. Plus, when you use my veneer, I am just an email away. I work with this stuff every day on my builds so I know that you will be happy and pleased with the results.

Kevin

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

I am spoiled, Kevin's is the only veneer I have tried. Goes on beautifully every time I used it.

Kevin's or Nothing! Hands Down the Best!

[www.rodbuilding.org]

[www.rodbuilding.org]



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/25/2013 08:35PM by Barry Thomas Sr.

Wow!!!! I'm so greatful for this site!! Thanks again Tom and Kevin and for everyones quick responses and pointing me in the right direction for success next time..

@ Kevin..sweet gallery of veneer and I will be ordering a couple sheet in the near future...

So from what I read , you only use hot water with your product??

Thats correct. Boil the veneer face down until the backing is fully penetrated (about 10 minutes for my veneer) and peel and stick. But thats with my veneer. I can't speak for others product. Well, I can, but I won't. :)

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