Rod Wrapping Threads and Epoxy

My long wait finally ended today... although it was only 10 days but it seems to me like it was a month.

I can't wait to get my hands on the Diamond II epoxy and some threads from Silvia Davis at  Bullard International.

The threads range from silk threads, metallic threads and Craftman twist. Indeed they have quite a huge color range.

And then, the much heard about Diamond II epoxy...crystal clear thread wrapping epoxy. Many pro rod builder have tested it and I must say  its' testimonials are impressive. Well, I will just have to use it and see for my own eyes..

So, watch out for my rods using this product.

**NOTE**
The author of this blog has no financial interest in Bullard International nor is he a distributor of Bullard International product. What is written here are based on his personal opinion.

EVA form on the rod

These are the hardware...

And this is how it looks like after the installation.

Shaping EVA form rear grip - DIY

One of my Facebook buddy asked me how do I shape my EVA form grip. I told him I used the basic or whatever tools I have at home. The very basic tool required is the hand drill. In order the shape the EVA form or even cork grip, we need to sand it with sand paper when it is rotating.

And this is how I do it.

Here's the result....

The FOUR

Finally, I have completed all 4 rods that my friend wanted. The date line given was until July this year.. and I guess I am ahead of schedule.

Scheduled to complete 4 rods in 5 months but I took only 3 months. Still not too bad, consider I still have other on going projects running concurrently.

And now, I can start another one....    :-)

   

TRANSLUCENT no more....

After a few translucent yellow and translucent white fly rod, I was thinking of trying something new. Since the fiberglass fly rod blanks are unfinished, I can spray it with any colors I like. I was standing in front of a row of Krylon "FUSION" spray paints for half an hour having deep thoughts of what colors to get for this project. Finally, I brought 2 colors....

The 1st color of choice was the "sunset yellow". Yes, it was pretty yellow , I guess. This color looks similar to the LOOP rod yellow or EAGLECLAW fly rod yellow. The lines on  the ribs on the blanks are visible after spray painting on the unsanded fiberglass fly rod blank, giving sort of a nice finish effect.

On the next day, I tried the other can... and this time it's brown, ........ DARK BROWN.

This 2 fiberglass fly rod blanks are 6'6" rated at 3wt with slow action and they will be hanging in my store for awhile as I have yet to find the time to build 'em.

Just lathed another grip for another 6'6" 3wt translucent white blank

Glued the cork rings yesterday and it is ready for turning today.. Just done this in the afternoon.
Guess I will be busy wrapping up the guides for the rods soon...

Another TRANSLUCENT WHITE fiberglass fly rod in the making

Epoxy to the guide wrappings of the 2 bait casting rods is really time consuming. I tried to shorten the time for epoxy by applying thicker coating to the wrapping threads but it turn out bad. A big lump of epoxy around the wrapping.

In order to get a nice epoxy coating around the wraps, the epoxy must be thin and have to coat it at least 4 times. Having said that , the 2 bait casting are still in the process of epoxy coating.

While waiting, I am starting another fly rod. Another translucent white flt rod. I just managed to fix up the cork grip which I turn myself and a down locking reel seat with maple wood insert.

Next, finding color for the wrapping......

Another "FEATHERED"

Completing one of the rods with feather inlay and I am off to the next one.

The feather inlay on the chrome thread wrapping turned out nicely but the feathers seems too far apart..
I will try to put the feather closer on the gold thread wrapping.

Time to wrap up the guides...