Thanks John I am using Andy's method and I guess I did put the epoxy on too heavy. I only wish I could make the show but I am stuck here pushing the white stuff around. Jeff Leonard Practice makes perfect, only if you can afford it.
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Ken I was quite careful when mixing the epoxy and had no visible bubbles to begin with, even after applying the epoxy. Only after turning on the heat lamp did the gassing start. My best guess is the temp around the grip is about 80 degrees, not to hot to boil but maybe warm enough to thin allowing trapped air in the fibers to release. What ambient temps do you work in? Thanks Jeff Leonard
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I had just put my first skin over a foam grip and coated with West System 105 resin and 207 hardener. It is zero degrees outside and I work in my basement where the temperature is around 64. I would have to heat my home close to 80 in order to get temps in the 70's in the basement. I decided to work under a heat lamp and noticed that as the temperature began to rise bubbles started to appear in
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Scott My intention was to turn as one piece on the rod, slide it off and skin allowing me to skin it after reaming to proper ID. I believe Steve's idea using foam for glue would be a better alternative to epoxy. Thanks for the help. Jeff Leonard
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Steve Do I just mount both pieces on threaded rod and glue like epoxying cork rings together and hold together with hand pressure until the foam sets. I can't imagine having to do this in the mold. Forgot to mention this is 8lb foam. Thanks for your help, that seems to be the ticket. Jeff Leonard
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I would like some advice on which way to make a 14" foam butt grip for a casting rod which has a butt OD about .68". If I pour it in one piece it is too long for my lathe because I don't have a bed extension. If I make it out of two pieces, glue and bore the ID I am afraid it may break in half while trying to skin it. I could make it in one piece and bore the ID, mount on blank and turn
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Thanks Guys, It appears the problem is the rayon. I have tried pressing it into the tape and it still falls off. I have been able to get thirty threads to hold but took twice as long as it should have. Jeff Leonard
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Scott, I tried the carpet tape also with no luck. These spools do say rayon on the side. Does that mean they can't be used with tape? Jeff Leonard
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I am attempting to weave a pattern with my new wonder weaver and I am using sulky thread because of the much more diverse color availability. I am having a very difficult time with the thread adhering to the masking tape on my layout threads. Is it me, the tape or thread? I am frustrated to no end, I place the thread in it's place and it just falls off. I tried using different tape and it hasn't
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Cork Danger you say! With the new wave of urethane grip applications that have taken on such a buzz to the like that I have not seen in my 25 years as a hobbyist rodbuilder, what will the effect eventually lead to for the supply of good quality cork. Will this be the demise for quality cork availibility or offer better quality due to the eventual lack of demand. Just food for thought! Jeff L
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I would like to try my hand at creating a few decals and was wondering what is the prefered software for this purpose. I really don't want to spend a small fortune on this project but would like something fairly easy to use. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Jeff Leonard
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Tim, Thanks for the info, I was unaware of those cure times do to the fact that I have not used the products. I will be including them among my supplies. Jeff Leonard
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I am pressed for time and was wondering how quickly I can apply epoxy finish over CP without having problems. Can I increase cure time using a hair dryer and apply finish within a couple hours? I am not use to deadlines. Thanks for your help. Jeff Leonard
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Just wondering if anyone has been using Bounce fabric softener sheets in the shop for dusting and static removal or is there a chance for fish eye contamination? Thanks, Jeff Leonard
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For years I have constructed my cork handles directly on the blank and then turned with the blank. I have gotten away from this technique after using Andy's mandrels. Recently I have been building some rods with blanks that are just over 3/4" OD at the butt. After turning the cork handles on the lathe, reaming the handle to fit the blank is becoming difficult because of the very thin walls.
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Tom, Is it to late to try and tear the guides off without destroying them? How can I keep this from happening again? I understand what you mean by using a pin but buy this time after five coats it would just make a mess. Jeff
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I'am in the process of making my first threadless wrap on a 7' crappie rod with single foot guides. All was going according to plans when after 5 coats of permagloss I set the rod aside and headed for dinner. Hours later when I returned air bubbles had appeared trapped along each side of all the guide feet. What can I do to save this mess and what did I do wrong. If air bubbles don't show after
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Bill, Thanks for your input. I realize that permagloss seems like overkill for a flag pole but I can hardly get more than one season out of these before they look like crap. The gel coat, or whatever they use gets marked up and looses color. Your application technique sounds like the ticket should I continue with this. Jeff Leonard Still Snowing
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Jay, You have brought up 2 points I have errored on. The poles are 8' so there is quite a bit of area to cover. I guess I should changing my application technique and spin the pole quickly rather than trying to make long strokes on a slow rotation. I have been using plastic mixing cups. My Bad Thanks Jeff Leonard It's snowing like all *@ll here
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This is my first experience with permagloss and I think I could use some pointers. I am attempting to recondition some fiberglass flag poles at my golf course and thought it can't be much different than working with fishing rods but my results so far are not what I had expected. Here are the steps I have taken: 1. Clean poles with TSP 2. Give a good scotchbrite treatment 3. Paint with Krylon
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Tom, I was just wondering, for the poor souls like myself that can't make the show. Would it be possible to webcast a seminar or two, obviously for a fee. Do you think if some of the vendors put some of their wares up for a silent @#$%& online if that would work? Just some thoughts for those of us that can't make the show to somehow get involved. Someday I'll be There Jeff Leonard
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Andy, Will the distributers be supplied with blank specifications similar to those by blank manufactures in the U.S. so that we can compare apples to apples. This has been the only drawback I have encountered with out being able to physically hold a blank in my hand. Great Blanks!!! Regards, Jeff Leonard
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Joe, These particular guides were much heavier in the frame and ring than the typical wire frame ss chrome plated such as Pac Bay. They did not appear to be plated (hard to tell). Jeff
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Just recently attended a fishing show and was admiring some custom rods made by a local dealer. These rods had double foot solid stainless steel guides, or that is what I was told. I have never seen these before and would like to know if these are truly solid stainless steel and if so where are they available. You might ask yourself why I didn't ask while I was at their booth? Well to put it blun
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Thanks gentlemen, If I use carpet tape or double back the masking tape I assume your talking about laying down at least a couple inches in length on each end. How long of a working time does this allow before the tape loses its tackiness? I don't have the luxury of finishing anything in a single sitting, usually will take me a week to to this. I would hate to come back and find a mass of dislodg
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I'am trying to do a closed wrap on 8 axis on a fairly small diameter blank. The trouble is the threads keep wanting creep off line toward the tip section. Is this a question of improper thread tension? What makes it more troubling is the wrap consists of more individual threads than multiple threads. Also, is there a way of minimizing the huge balls of tape built up on both ends of the wrap? T
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Where can I find Titebond III ? Thanks, Jeff Leonard
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Just recently returned from a fishing trip only to find water in the basement right where all my RodMaker magazines were laid out. I tried drying them out but most are lost. Anyone willing to sell back issues? I can't afford to buy them all at face value. Thanks in advance. Jeff Leonard
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This past winter I purchased a Custom Powerwrap and I continually have a problem with whatever I am turning being sucked out of the three way jaw. I have tried making sure the work is level, reversing the direction of the roller bearings and even loosening the grip of the rollers. Never had this problem with my homemade lathe used for over twenty years. What am I doing wrong? Jeff Leonard
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I was wondering if anyone was familiar with custom builder blanks from Clemens Custom Tackle. I made a rod for a friend back in the early 80's and after all this time someone broke the tip. I am thinking that it was made by Lamiglass. If I can come up with the original custom builder number would I be able to order a tip section ( wishfull thinking)? Thanks, Jeff Leonard
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