Is there a way to make an epoxy ramp without a rod wrapper/dryer? I'm building my first rod with minimal overhead, nothing fancy just getting the parts together. When I drilled out my fighting butt the bit gouged out a bit of cork so I've got a void right where the blank enters. No big deal but now that it's on there it would be nice to conceal my noobery behind an epoxy ramp. Can it be done? Maybe wait until finishing epoxy gets super viscous, apply, and set the rod to dry vertically? What would you do?

If you have a drill press you can adapt it to turn ramps out of cork or reel seat arbors, If you want details, email me.

I've never liked epoxy ramps, but it can be done about like you suggest. I have done it with gel epoxy.

Another possibility is to mix some cork dust with gel epoxy and fill the defect, then use a winding check if I'm interpreting the void correctly.

I've done many of them and just use the propaste I use for handles but cover it with thread when done so if you can't wrap over it the color won't look good. I dab some on then use a thread burnisher lightly dipped in alcohol to shape it. Just spin slowly and clean it up and set vertically like you said. Thread wrap over it can be tricky when your wraps try to slip.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/29/2024 07:42AM by Al Jones.

Sounds like an application for a winding check vs a epoxy ramp

Ah....... the winding check, they add nothing to the structural integrity of the rod, BUT cosmetically they can add to the beauty of the rod also, hide blemishes, gaps or other mistakes.

I prefer winding checks over epoxy ramps.

Have fun

Use a 5 cent winding check. Easy, simple, inexpensive and they work very very well. In your case, just put a bit of epoxy in the hole with the rod held vertical and then slide the winding check down tight to the face of the cork and wipe off any epoxy that squeezes out from under the check and you will be good t go. Do, a thread wrap in front of the check to further stabilize and dress up the winding check.

I am definitely in the +/- cork dust and epoxy filler perhaps just by itself, but a winding check on top of this is the ticket. Unless you're some sort of sculptor, this will give you a perfect cosmetic finish.