I’ve come across a few things about maybe scuffing the inside of a reel seat for install. Is this something that is recommended or over kill? Also what about metal reel seats that have channels in them? Just curious because I’ve never done it.

You can scuff the inside of the reel seat but it is not necessary.

The most important thing is to make sure the parts to be bonded are clean and oil free.

Also it is important to have the parts fit snugly to keep the bond line as thin as possible.

We all have our comfort zones and techniques when it comes to bonding parts, if you are ever in doubt refer to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the adhesive and proceed with care..

Have fun

It's important - do it. [www.rodbuilding.org]

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I always make a few passes with the reamer and clean the scuffed portion. Doing this gives the glue more surface to adhere to and also works in a similar fashion to stippling. It is easier to grip something that is abrasive vs something that is smooth.

Just like when reaming anything, make sure the item you reamed is debris free prior to seating.

I recently took apart a rod that I had built many years ago before hearing the recommendation on surface prep, and some of the epoxy was hardly bonded to the blank. Some could be taken off with the thumbnail. It had not failed, but if I had skimped on the amount used, I can see where it might have. For skeleton builds where there is little surface area, I think it can really be important. I have scotchbrite in a shotgun cleaning tip which I spin with a drill driver to scuff the insides of seats. I don't know that seats have mold release in them, but most plastic parts do, and scuffing the ID is a good precaution, in my opinion. I do it for metal and plastic seats.

David

RodMaker magazine vol. 15 issue 6 has instructions for making a "inside the seat" scuffing tool. I used a short length of a wood dowel instead of the metal rod. I chuck the tool in a drill or my lathe and turn it. Works great!

Rog

Best mating surfaces for an adhesive bond are smooth, but de-glossed and clean.

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I have found some metal reel seats have oil or something similar inside, so I scuff and clean with DNA before assembly.

Clean, scuff-scour then adhere. Always clean first.

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Scuffing may have many meanings, my conception is to gouge or rough up a smooth surface,which in my opinion is not necessary for reel seat applications.

For reel seats my idea of scuffing is to just remove the gloss (if any) from the seat and the blank with light abrading.

My process is and has never had any issues.;

1) Use a solvent DNA or Acetone,etc. to remove any oils or other contaminants. Don't want to scuff or rub in any oils or contaminants into the bonding surfaces.

2) "Scuff" just enough to remove any gloss. 400 grit or scotch bright.

3) Wipe areas with a clean rag to remove any loose residue.

4) Apply the epoxy per manufacturers recommendations..

As I said we all have our ways, this is what makes me feel comfortable,

Have fun

Thanks, Tom. I'm a believer. There is so much bad or mis-interpreted info out there on rod building it's good to get specific about issues like this. I have passed the Library link on to more than a few fellow builders.

Right - surface prep is an area where there is indeed a correct answer.

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Thank you everyone. Adding another step to my prep.