Bambooflyguy
Legend
To each their own….I keep mine simple. But that’s just me and my .02
Rod Building The Rod Building Thread
- Thread starter Divad
- Start date
While I appreciate the skill in intricate wrapping. I appreciate simplicity (in all aspects of my life)
Appropriate for a bass fly rod : )
Those wraps have their place, like on a bass rod that is trying to simulate the wallpaper in a French whore house. On fly rods, understated eloquence is the general standard for class and quality.
So what you’re saying is we can call it “the soap lake motif”?
Today I received the new CRB Core Hand Wrapper for doing thread work on my hobby fly rods. Must say, I am impressed.! Beautifully engineered product for its price. I've been using a stand from Proof Flyfishing with a coffee cup for a thread holder whilst running the thread through a book for thread tension. It served me well but this is far superior for just a little more cash. Definitely look in to it if your wanting to start rodbuilding...
mudhole.com
Why You Need The CRB Core Hand Wrapper
At the Core of rod building is the proper equipment. The tools and equipment you build with are just as important as the right blank, proper guide spacing or length of handle. It can significantly impact the quality and performance of the finished product. Rod building requires specialized tools...
mudhole.com
Epoxy. Varnish takes several coats to cover properly. Epoxy one or two. Varnish is much less expensive. Traditionalist bamboo makers use spar varnish. Proff Flyfishing has tutorials on both..
This was one thing I definitely noticed…
Divad
Whitefish
I like the FlexCoat Lite stuff and even thin it a little with acetone for the first application. I do 2-3 coats max, eliminating chances of trapping dust. It’s still thin enough to penetrate thread and flow easily.
I also use a torch style lighter to help even out the epoxy. I’ve used a standard lighter before but you’ll trap soot in your finish from the flame. Safer alternative to an alcohol burner.
I also use a torch style lighter to help even out the epoxy. I’ve used a standard lighter before but you’ll trap soot in your finish from the flame. Safer alternative to an alcohol burner.
Bambooflyguy
Legend
I’ve been building rods for 38+ years so far and on all fiberglass, graphite and bamboo I use epoxy. I used to use Flex Coat but now I use Threadmaster high build, one coat. One and done! my .02
Epoxy, but spar varnish awesome too! Depends on the rod and components to and the thread you use. I like to use silk thread on old bamboo rods.
Varnish is nice since you can do many rhin coats and let it dry without putting it in a rod dryong turner too. Just tskes more time.
I've been using a sparce 1st coat. Seems I always have a thread end or fuzzy chunk sticking out, so it's one thin coat, razor cut the offensive lumps out and a beautiful finish coat. I found spreading the epoxy out on a tinfoil plate really helps eliminate the bubbles..
I built rods for a year in Redmond for a small company that is gone now. Would turn and glue handles in the AM and epoxy 25 to 30 rods a day in the PM.. others would usually wrap the rods, but I would help as nessecasy.. plus work on the website! Good times for the most part and I learned a ton!
To her chagrin, I use my wife's hair dryer...
I can attest that epoxy lasts longer than spar varnish. I recently disposed of some of the first rods I built (in 1982) and the varnish had deteriorated and was peeling off. Epoxy finishes of a similar vintage were still looking fine. Of course, you might not really care about this. The only rods that last 40 years are the ones built on shitty blanks that never get used.