Chris Catignani

As was The Wetter the Better.. Mick...I always felt like U40 covered cork was slippery when wet initially...and it would go away after a few days of uuse.

OK...that handle is just sick as (all get out)!

I have been using U-40 since it came out. Lately I been using a product called Kelly's Cork Renew. Kelly's Cork Renew It applies similar to U-40 but its a little more viscus. It does a better job of protecting the cork. One thing I noticed is that once it drys it had a bit of tackiness to it....which went away after a few days. So...for someone who uses lots of cork on rods...If I had to pick...it would be Kelly

I been using the guide foot adhesive for a long time. If you stand directly over the top of the rod you can get it dead center almost every time. I will heat the guide foot...and rub the adhesive on the bottom of the foot. I will then reheat the guide foot before I place it. You can actually move it a bit once its wrapped. The guide foot adhesive is nothing other than the white hot-melt glue. One stick is virtually a lifetime supply.

Spencer...OK...I see what your talking about...the OD may not expand like one would think.

Electric tape. "EVA does not expand without also thinning " Spencer...Did you look at the picture? We're talking about 1 mm. How would anyone be able to tell the difference once its glued together?

This is a method I've come to refine over the years. First I will put a small dot where the guides will go. Then I will use the FlexCoat guide adhesive and align the first butt guide to align with the reel seat. I put the guide foot on the dot so I dont have to remove it. I will then eye ball the guide weather its centered or not. I first eyeball the guide on the wrapper looking down on the guide from above. I will then eyeball the guided looking down the blank. Its' way better to be looking out a window or against a white wall. I find it really works well to hold the blank at an angle so you see the blank in the ring of each guide. If its not centered I may remove it and redo it. The guide foot adhesive come off real easy and you just need to reheat the foot. Sometime i just leave it an move it after I wrap it. I will then wrap that guided. ...then on to the next guide.

Since its EVA...you could wrap some tape around the blank and make the EVA expand...it wouldnt take much.

¼

My hats off to the people who actually have the data and the science behind their claims.

There is a company called RodTeck that is selling a carbon tape along with a UV resin. Fishing Rod Repair Kit | Fishing Rod Guide Repair Kits – RodTeck It seems like a good idea...but, and I have been using UV resin (on other stuff) for a while now, UV resin is nowhere near the strength of epoxy.

OK...got it. I spoke too hastily....and apologize for the harsh tone.

Yeah...yeah...yeah. I've seen that picture before on another forum about 15 years ago. I wonder why people are still using thread? Spencer...that picture proves nothing.

I think the thread and the epoxy finish work hand in hand...much in the same way that fiberglass and resin do. Finish or thread alone will fail after a short time.

That singing is what makes fish come up to the top!🤣

I've built a few rods on SS guides the last couple years...I would consider REC's on a rod.

I like to do this on the butt end of a split grip (3 maybe 4 rings). Burl is heavier...but the extra weight on the end can help usually. I will also use burl on the foregrip of say a crank bait rod or spinner bait rod. Rod where I will do so serious chuggin.

As for finish (inexpensive)...you can buy a 6gram pack of ProKote for $3.89 from MudHole. ProKöte Rod Building Thread Finish (mudhole.com)

Those tips are typically glued on with the brown hot melt glue. (the brown is a little stronger than the white). Melt the tip of the stick...pull off a bit with your finger. (It will be hot but not terribly hot to burn). I would roll it in my fingers to make it small enough to fit into the tip. Heat the tip and install it. You could also just heat the glue stick and apply it to the blank...but be careful heating the glue on the blank. I would venture to guess that everyone on the rodbuilding threads has bricked a rod or two with too much heat.

I would almost be tempted to just put on tip...the old tip may just fit.

I have used U-40 for many years and have recently switched to Kelly's Cork Renew. Kellys is also sold under different labels.

I'm a twisted looper...

I have to agree on the H vs MH... thats what I been using for 5/8 - 1oz spinner baits. If you dont like it...there are plenty of other baits to also throw on that rod.

HFF had a whole line of parts at ICRBE.