Guide prep tip

[.ghoti.]

Recently bought a WorkSharp knife and tool sharpener. Saw the Flexcoat video using one of these, and finally pulled the trigger. I should  have bought one sooner.

After a little practice on some old guides, I was able to prep a complete set of spinning rod guides in under 3 minutes.

The tool came with two 80 grit belts, two 22 grit belts and two 6000 grit belts. The 80 is way too coarse for guide prep. The 220 is ok for larger guides, but too aggresive for mini  guides. The 6000 is  great for final polishing.  I've ordered some 800 and 1000 grit belts to hit the middle ground.

I used to do this by hand, using a fine diamond hone. A large spinning guide would take me at least five minutes, sometimes longer,  and about two minutes for each smaller guide. This new tool saves a lot of time.

Flexcoat has the video on there site. Check it out. You might like it.

[S Hovanec]

I use a Dremel with a 1" dia. stone. at about 10000 rpm.

I did pick up one of these to try out for shaping grips on the lathe.  I can see potential disaster using 2 power tools at once!

 

[MickD]

I use a dremel, too, and it goes very fast.  If you can hold the guides.  Losing a micro might take quite a while, trying to find it.

[.ghoti.]

know what you're saying gents. I tried a Dremel too. All I can say is; I've prepped a guide using a Dremel for the last time.

[S Hovanec]

5 hours ago, MickD said:

I use a dremel, too, and it goes very fast.  If you can hold the guides.

 

You can tell when I'm going to be working with micros by how short my fingernails are!