Thanks for the ideas, all! The pen I used was a Pilot Pen purchased from the Mud Hole. After reading the catalog again I don't think it was meant for signing rods. I sure learned a lot from building my first rod. The next one I build will be 200% better! I'm sure this rod will fish fine. If I hadn't signed it I could give it to my nephew because I planned on building him one anyway. I like thin w
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I roughed up my fly rod blank and wrote my name in gold with one of those paint pens that has a little ball in it to keep the paint mixed. It was billed as a fine point but I beg to differ. Anyway, do I just put one part of epoxy on it to make it permanent? I put the name on last night. How long before I can epoxy it? Thanks
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To all interested: I sanded the blemishes with 400 grit paper last night and I feel much better. There are some minor transparents marks but I think the next coat of epoxy will eliminate them. Do you think I should put 2 more thin coats on or just 1 more? Thanks
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Thanks. Remove the football? I thought we were aiming for the football shape?
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Doesn't anyone have any additional helpful comments on the sanding issue? I'd appreciate the feedback. Thanks, Bruce
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Okay, Guys! I sanded the the blemishes off. Now there are white marks where I sanded. Will those disappear when I put the next coat of expoxy on? I believe the reason I got those blemishes is becaue I messed with the epoxy after it began to set and I put too much on. Keep the help coming, please! Thanks, Bruce
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I did use color preserver, I thought the threads were tightly packed, they look like pimples from messing with the epoxy after it started setting, I used Flex Coat Lite, turned the rod 1/3 turn every 5 minutes for the first 1 1/2 hrs., and I didn't torch the finish. If a friend did that they will be dead. I have a mentor, a professional rod builder, I consult with who lives about 1 hour and 15 mi
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Nearly everyone of my guides has some kind of blemish. I put too much epoxy on and then spent too long trying to take off the excess. My playing with the finish must of happened after the glue started setting up because some of my guide finish has little pimples about the size of a pinpoint. Also, there are some spots that sucked up the epoxy and the thread outline shows through. I am thoroughly
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Tom, I'm sorry I keep calling it varnish. Bruce
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Hi Tom! I used Flex Coat Lite.
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Okay All, I put the first coat of varnish on my threads last night. Some of the threads seem to have an uneven amount of varnish on them. Can I compensate for that with my second coat? Also, the varnish doesn't take on that barrel-shaped appearance like it does when it's dryed with a motored dryer. Is that because I put it on while turning the rod by hand? I'm afraid to show it to my mentor, but
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I was looking at some woven patterns and they appear to me as crosstitch patterns. Could one stitch, say a small trout on some cloth, and glue it to the butt section?
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Thanks, Tom! Those are things I never would have expected. Bruce
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Thanks, John. As far as I'm concerned you can warm your epoxy anyway you prefer. I cranked my heat up this morning before I left my apartment. Tonight the first coat goes on no matter what. I'll make a 1/2 turn every 15 minutes for 3 hours and tie some flies. Thanks again, Bruce
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I posted the worst case scenario thread. I was wondering, would your same advice apply when using Flex Coat Lite. Thanks for all your help, Bruce
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What would be the worst case scenario of finishing a rod in a room that's around 62 degrees.
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The Heater doesn't have a fan. What I'll do is face it another direction. Thanks
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I didn't know where to post this question--where does onbe go to log in after opening the site?
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I know you probably couldn't sleep last night wondering how I made out with my first coat of rod finish. Well...it didn't happen. I forgot I had to wrap and trim the tip top and put 2 coats of color preserver on. The big night is tonight. My apartment is very cold. I don't think I can get the temp above 68 degrees. I do have an electric heater I can use in my kitchen where I will finish the rod.
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Can I use those plastic mixing cups that come with rod kits or should I use glass? Also, it's a little cold in my apartment, will that matter much?
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I'm going to put the first coat of Flex Coat finish on my fly rod tonight. Anyone have any hints or ideas that may help me beyond what Flex Coat recommends? Thanks, Bruce
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