I'M looking for a source for disposable brushes for applying finish. I thought someone on here said they buy them at the dollar store. I also thought I read where a builder bought some kind of cheap brushes at the hardware store.
Printable View
I'M looking for a source for disposable brushes for applying finish. I thought someone on here said they buy them at the dollar store. I also thought I read where a builder bought some kind of cheap brushes at the hardware store.
Lastchance,
The last time I bought brushes, I got them at Michael's Crafts. The package had about 25 brushes for about $8.00. They worked fine. Best Regards....
why a brush ? i find that applying rod finish by hand rubing is much better, a bit messy but better... unles it is epoxy based...
Try the Anglers Workshop in Woodland Washington -- check out there web site.
Bugman, Did I read your post correctly? You put the finish on with your hand?
try Garrett Wade catalog. its online
If you have a "JoAnn" fabrics near you. got to the kids craft aisle. they have a pack of 20 non-nylon brushes in various sizes. color plastic handles. for around $2.00-4.00 To me that's close to disposable. The bristles have some kind of stuff on them to keep their shape. rinse under hot water and allow to dry before use.
Don't know if it would work with the usual wrap finishes, but when I wrapped a bamboo rod and used spar varnish ( Ace Hardware Brand thinned with Sunnyside turpentine ) I used a knitting needle ( at the suggestion of BB member Shaky Wadr ) to apply the varnish.
If your wrap finish is fairly thin, I don't see why this technique wouldn't work with it. Had no bubbles at all using the knitting needle and it was very easy to control the flow onto the threads.
John
P.S. Working with spar varnish is a lot easier than the FlexCoat products I used on the two graphite rods I built last year. If I were going to do another graphite rod, I would certainly try the varnish.
Craft stores definately have the ceapest price on brushes. I apply finish with either a brush or a 1/4" stainless steel spatula. With the finish mixer I bought both ways are excellent and no bubbles what so ever.
yeser, ya read correctly...Quote:
Originally Posted by lastchance
I do that too if im using varnish or U-40---put several thin coats on and you almost dont have to rotate the rod ---one coat a dayQuote:
Originally Posted by bugman
epoxy --i use a brush and tape the tip to a gearmotor shaft
You guys are blowing my mind. I still can't visualize applying finish with a spatula and you guys are using knitting needles and fingers. How do you apply it evenly with a knitting needle, spatula or your hand? I think that's the part that really has me wondering. keep in mind I'm a rookie only having wrapped about 15 rods.
.....I've used both coffee filters and paper/book matches :roll:
don't forget those..
Simply dip the blunt end of the knitting needle into the container of varnish / finish to gather a drop on it. Place the drop just where you want it on the wrap. Repeat until you have the wrap appropriately covered.Quote:
Originally Posted by lastchance
This works very well with spar varnish thinned about 25% with turpentine. It is just about the consistency of water.
I really don't know how it would work with a thicker finish, but I think it would do just fine.
Also, the only time I've used it was on a hex bamboo rod. No need to turn it at all using varnish with this application.
Again, don't really know if you could get away not turning a round graphite rod using this technique and / or using varnish instead of one of the other finishes.
I thought it was kind of odd when Shaky Wadr first told me about it, but it certainly turned out to be an easy way to apply the finish in a very controlled way.
John
Using things like toothpicks, nails, a piece of thread, even a thin dowel
is how some apply lubricant to difficult to reach places on anything
from heavy equipment to fine watches. The object can be used to 'reach'
the point where the lubricant needs to go then the lube can be
applied to the object...gravity takes care of the rest.
Many moons ago fingers were what were used to apply color preserver
to guide wraps. That was how I was taught in the rod building class.
I began using round toothpicks to apply two part wrap finish early on..it
was the neatest and most precise way to make sure the back of the guide
foot was sealed. Any brush just made a mess of that....for me....heavy
handed clod that I am....heh..
Cheers,
MontanaMoose
I new to this so here's a few questions about leveling. I use a rod dryer. Does the finish level itself on the rod dryer or do you level it by hand turning the rod and wicking off the extra finish? I always thought that was why you used a brush so that it goes on even (level). If the finish levels itself while the rod is turning on the dryer then I can understand now how you can use a knitting needle, spatula, matchstick, etc. I thought you had to level the finish yourself. Man I'm slow. LOL Well then, how to make an even edge on the wraps?
I get good results using a little homemade spatula cut from the lid of a butter tub. I just cut out a long narrow triangle and trim the point to my desired width. I get nice clean edges with just one swipe. No stray hairs that I used to get from time to time with the cheap disposable brushes.
Note: you can clean up a more expensive brush by using house hold vinegar, it's a good mild solvent for epoxy based finishes.
When I learned to build rods - the instructor like the "football" shaped epoxy look, and you had to use something to orient the "blob" properly, but now that is a "no-no" so the best way to get the "flat blob" is to apply a blob, let it drip to the bottom, and then remove it with a brush or spatula, then turn the rod 180 degrees and let it drip again. After removing a couple of drips you have the proper amount left on to keep the rod rotating.
ok I use the spatula to apply the finish if it is mixed by hand and thick ie set to long. I use a brush and to illiminate the football type finish I apply the finish along the length of the wrap. Yes the dryer helps in leveling the finish to a point depending on how you apply the finish. One way to get square ends on the wraps with the finish is to apply masking tape to the edge of the wrap where you want the finish to end. I personnally have never done that. A squared off finish to me looks I don't know to production. A hand wrapped rod will have little small things that are not perfect. By the way the spatula can square up the edge of the finish as well if applied at the right time.
Some use a knitting needle to apply the finish -- my wife gave me one, but I haven't used it yet.
I usually use cheap plastic brushes, 1/4 or 1/8 inch. Lately, I've been using a small metal spatula, like someone mentioned already, and sanded it down to "wrap size" with a dremel tool. The inventor of Trondak finish taught me to do it that way. It works pretty well. And, of course, I use a lot of toothpicks, pins and bodkins, too!!
Hope that helps!
Ron
For those of you interested in the cheap brush saga I bought 30 at JoAnn's Fabrics for $2.00. They're the same as the ones I purchased from a company.
But....I'm going to go out on a limb and try a knitting needle, spatula, etc.
Thanks All,
Bruce