custom rods

[pheasantpro58]

I purchased a ceder handle and put the epoxy on and I'm having trouble with bubbles. I can't seem to get them out what is wrong. I don't make alot so I'm a rookie you could say if anyone has an idea let me know thanks.

[crazyice]

If the bubbles are coming after the handle is being turned, there is air escaping from within the handle. But it is just while you are applying the epoxy, you need to slow down the brush strokes, and angle them more. Then after that, use a straw to blow the bubbles out.

[Crickschop04]

Also a small amount of heat (like a candle lighter about 4in below) will also help get rid of some of the bubbles. Careful to not use to much heat and make sure the handle is turning.

[pheasantpro58]

thanks for the info the bubbles are coming afer the handle has turned.I'm not sure what to do now I sanded it and do I try it again Thanks again

[ikeslayer]

Bubbles they are dreaded when making handles. If you are using red cedar this happens often. Red is quite porus (sp?) and it soakes in the epoxy but the air has to get out so therefore you are usually stuck with the air in the epoxy rather than the wood. This is remedied through sand paper. The finest grit you can get although 220 will do. It is important you sand all the way to the base of the bubble. if you do not do this it will trap some sanded epoxy and it will leave a small white spot when you go to epoxy it next. White spots look worse than bubbles. If the bubbles are really big you can cut them out with a razor blade. You can score the doom out of epoxy and you cannot even tell as long as it is clean when you put your next coat on. Some people suggested heat as a means to remove bubbles. This is the best way i have found to get bubbles out. However if you are using a candle or lighter be very careful. These 2 kinds of things burn very dirty and if you get to close you will put a black residue on your rod and it is ick. The ideal thing to use is an alcohol burner with Denatured alcohol burns clean and hot. Also i wouldn't use a straw to blow to much because there is moisture in your breath and that can build up in the rod although you have to do a lot of blowing to do that. also some people like to use a Hair dryer this i wouldn't recommend either because all those little floatys you see in the air when the sun is shining in a window they all end up in your finish and that doesn't look so good. This is maybe more than you wanted to know but i had some time.

ike

[uffdapete]

In the future another option is to buy a finished handle. It might be worth the extra few $.

[pheasantpro58]

Thanks to all for the help I sanded it and it turned out alot better I can't wait to catch some eyes on it thanks again now I need to learn how to do some fancy wraps Thanks!!

[ikeslayer]

nothing more gratifying that catching your first fish on your own hand built rod. Feels reeeeeeeeel good. ike

[crazyice]

Yeah, it sure does feel good to catch fish on your own gear. I have made close to 25 rods now and find it to be alot of fun.

[TwinkeeDink]

hey pheasantpro, where do you plan on catchin eyes around here?

[pheasantpro58]

I usually go to pool 4 and I also go on a fly-in every year up to ontario and I got a cabin up by turtle lake wis. So I do a fare share.