When a builder applies epoxy finish onto wrapping thread he is creating a composite material - i.e. fabric and resin. Composites of any material get their strength by combining TWO materials. The combination of the fiber AND matrix (resin) provide characteristics superior to either of the materials utilized alone.

Would anyone here fly on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner if you knew that the wings were manufactured with an improperly proportioned resin mix???
I don't think one can estimate the degree of strength in an improperly mixed resin - but it's certainly not 100%.

Hey - if you are the "it's good enough" type of guy - put it in a warm place - if it sets-up to a nice hard glossy finish then use it as is.
But if it doesn't pass the fingernail test - redo it.

If it were me - it would drive me nuts thinking that maybe the wraps are not 100% of what they should be.

Herb

If the finished product shows no weakness when tugging on the guides, the finish is dry and clear, then there is a good chance the problem has been fixed. Conjecture isn't enough to make me tear that rod apart if there is a good chance for a simple fix. A fix that has been recommended by multiple experienced builders on the forum. Different strokes.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/28/2019 09:10AM by Michael Danek.

yeah - I am inclined to be a bit of a "structural" perfectionist.
I once ripped up a small section of my dining room sub-floor because it was eaten by termites. Was told by "experts" that it was unnecessary. I didn't care - it "bugged" me that it was not as structurally sound as the rest of the floor.

I am sure that I am not alone out there.
Herb

if the rod is for me, i,m more willing to play with it but for a customer, it,s back to square one and get it right..

Herb, you will know if it cures by whether or not you can move the guides without using inordinately high force. I know it's a lot about judgment by experienced builders, but we all know how hard it is to move guides properly installed. If the top coat is cured but the under coat is not, the guides will still be attached with "jelly" and we should be able to detect it.

Herb,
You are correct with your statements in your first paragraph; thread wraps + thread finish = a composite laminate structure. However, there were two key facts which were not recognized and/or acknowledged; 1. The ultimate strength of a composite structure is over 95% due to the fabric employed while the matrix only keeps the fibers aligned from moving. Yes both are required but the overall strength comes from the fabric! 2. While strengthened, “nano” epoxies are an improvement to achieve an additional few percent gain in structural performance, said gain is certainly worth it for your example of a Boeing 787 but hardly for rodbuilders. Let’s compare apples with apples. Furthermore, thread wrap epoxy is specifically designed and formulated to flex to a large degree whereas structural epoxies are (basically) not.
If size A wrapping thread has a (conservative) breaking strength of 2lb, a typical wrap of 40 rotations will produce a holding power or 80lb for the guide = overkill. All that is actually required is a means to keep the thread ends from coming out from under the locking overwraps. The addition of thread finish accomplishes securing the tag ends, affords protection from nicks, supplies UV protection for the thread and makes our threadwork look great. And, yes, it aligns and secures the thread to produce an extremely secure mounting laminate structure for the guides. It should be of no wonder why the system is so universally accepted and utilized.
As long as Brett’s initial missed-mixed coat of thread finish cures to a tack-free state, a second properly mixed coat will be more than adequate. He is building a fishing rod, not a commercial aircraft!
Speaking of Brett, I have not seen any posts other than his original.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Brett,
Are you still there? Do you have any comments to those who have taken the time to try helping you?

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

I went ahead and put another coat on the top of the tacky finish, it went on and looks good but I am skeptical of the strength of the finished product compared to the other rods. Since these were personal rods I decided to just throw a second coat over the top rather than redo the entire rod as I was curious how it would turn out and compare the it to the identical rods I built at the same time. I will keep everyone updated if I notice a lack of durability compared to the others.