One more question. Tried search option but could not answer.
Finishing eva handle with shrink wrap over it, xflock to be exact. Handle is aleady assembled on the blank. Due to the size of the foregrip, outside diameter, the wrap was much larger and did not shrink down to the size of the blank. The winding check cannot cover the shink wrap completely, and fits just under it. I trimmed it to be flash with the vinyl winding check, but that is not what i wanted in final look. My idea is to build the epoxy transition to the blank from the handle. I m thinking of using whatever thread, metallic most likely, or black, than make transition to the blank and go on with butt wrap. So my question is- are there any considerations for using epoxy over the vinyl, or thread over the vinyl and then epoxy... ?? Maybe other option to make nice looking transition to the blank? I know, wooden custom winding check would be the best, but maybe there are less expensive solution?

Sergiy,
Just use one of these in the correct size:

[www.mudhole.com]

The base of these checks are large enough to fit over the end of your shrink wrap. Then, do you butt wrap, up to the check and you are good to go. No need for epoxy on the check.

Take care

Thats exactly what i have on the blank. It is not large enough for me, and fits flash just under the edge of trimmed shrink tube. And it is a correct size for the blank. Unfortunately i dont know how to post picture here, but can email to someone who maybe can post it for me.

find out if there is a larger one, as the one you have now is 2 small, there are different sizes, see if that will work

William Sidney
AK

Sergiy,
This one is sized to be the same diameter as a size 17 reel seat. This one should be larger than the previous one listed:

[www.mudhole.com]

My blank is about 20-22 mm where it has to go... Front grip OD at winding check is 26 mm

What about building up a tape ramp? Start with wide tape and work your way narrower building up the tape next to the grip. Then cover it with hard epoxy to smooth it out, then cover with thread and epoxy.

If I got you right get a large reel seat arbor Shape a section to fit They come in like 28 MM OD Glue on and wrap thread over Or even paint in case some of it shows

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/29/2015 10:20AM by bill boettcher.

John, what tape are you talking about? That sounds like a good idea. I will probably end up with buiding up some sort f transition and finishing with epoxy. Sort of epoxy ramp. But i have another identical rod build to do after this one. Still open to ideas for the second one. Will keep you updated what i end up with

try this on a scrap blank first, it's not hard but there is a learning curve.
take some rod bond, pro glue or whatever epoxy you use to glue on grips and reel seats, tint that epoxy with the appropriate color of marbling pigment and mix it up. take a spatula or popcicle stick and build a "ramp" from the blank to the OD of the grip where a winding check would go. turn on your lathe and as the blank slowly turn smooth out any imperfections in the "ramp' with your finger dipped in DNA. let the ramp dry and wrap with thread and finish as you would any other thread wrap.

I have also used finish to make them Just easy on the thread tension

Bill - willierods.com

Just good quality masking tape, nothing special. I use 3M. As you build up the diameter, narrow the band(s) of tape towards the grip forming a ramp (or whatever shape you like - but keep in mind you need to be able to wrap it with thread). Use a firm setting finish epoxy like threadmaster. Give it some time to fully cure and it will resist the thread cutting into it like some of the softer more flexible epoxies will. Then just wrap it with thread and finish. Integrate a hookkeeper if you like.

[www.rodbuilding.org]
Found this in photo section. Thats exactly what i need to end up with, maybe no tiger, but epoxy ramp over thread. Would masking tape over vinyl work for this? And then thread...

However you decide to approach this, and there are many ways, make sure each sub layer gets sealed. I don't think I would put tape directly over vinyl. Two dissimilar unfixed materials squeezed together over time by thread pressure is a recipe for failure down the road.

In my opinion, this is one of those cases where keeping it simple is probably best.

You could shape many things like a reel seat bushing, cork, or build up tape to get that shape in 1 layer of material instead of multiple materials.

In answer to what I think your original question is, will epoxy over a vinyl check be a problem, the answer is no. i have many rods where I build epoxy into the area in front of the vinyl winding check, then over the check, and they look great and I've had no problems with anything. It may take a few coats, but no problem, just keep each coat at a reasonable build and you'll be fine.

I just looked at the image that you said "That's exctly what I need. . ." and it looks to me that what is there is an epoxy ramp. Comments above apply fine, just build it up in several steps. Be patient. What happens when you use epoxy over a winding check and build a ramp out of the epoxy is that the winding check disappears. You get a nice shape that looks dark because of the check, but it is glossy and it is hard to define what is under the surface. It looks fine.